Le Grand Meaulnes

Between 1 July and 1 November 1913, Le Grand Meaulnes appeared in pre-publication form in issues 55 to 59 of La Nouvelle Revue française: 260 pages of text spread over five installments. The publishing contract, signed between the author and Émile-Paul on 15 September 1913, provided for book publication in October. As Alain-Fournier had announced in a letter written shortly before the summer, this publisher was indeed his preference: “L’Opinion […] has found, I believe quite sincerely, my book good […]. I regret only one thing, that this adventure delayed the publication of this book, finished long ago. From now on, I will resist all temptations. And it will appear in July either at the NRF or at La Grande Revue (my choice), and in October, in book form, either at the NRF or at Émile-Paul’s (also my choice).”

Submitted to the Goncourt jurors, who ultimately awarded their prize to Marc Elder for Le Peuple de la mer, Le Grand Meaulnes (pronounced “Mône”) truly took flight only at the end of the year, notably after a magnificent article by Rachilde published on 16 December in the Mercure de France. The praise prompted a warm letter of thanks from Alain-Fournier: “[…] There is not a single sentence that does not describe, in the most delicate, tender and rigorous way, alas not what I have done, but what I intended to do. If the rustic Grand Meaulnes dared, he would ask your permission to embrace you.”

A rare and fine set, well presented.