The French Face of Joseph Conrad

Abstract

Joseph Conrad has up to now been regarded as a novelist with 'dual' Polish and English national affinities. This study argues for a triple identity by presenting the French face of Conrad's work, and demonstrates that his knowledge of the French language and its literature (which preceded his acquisition of the English language) has profound implications for the study of the novels. A survey of Conrad's literary and cultural background leads into an analysis of the effect on his writing of numerous French authors, chief among them Flaubert, Maupassant and Anatole France. Documenting these influences chronologically, Yves Hervouet builds up a picture of Conrad at work. In addition he discusses in more theoretical terms their aesthetic, philosophical and technical aspects and examines possible implications for Conrad's creative originality. A large-scale account of Conrad's extensive involvement with the French literary tradition, Yves Hervouet's book is a milestone in our understanding of his work. It will have a major impact on Conrad scholarship and as a study of cross-cultural influence, it will be of interest to all students of comparative literature in the period.

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