Genesis
It was in the 12th century that Norman literature took root in its Anglo-Norman roots, drawing inspiration from the emblematic kings of this kingdom straddling England and the Duchy of Normandy: William the Conqueror, Richard the Lionheart and John Lackland. One of the emblematic works written during this period is La Chanson de Roland, a epic tale said to have been sung during the famous Battle of Hastings. The Roman de Rou by Wace tells the story of the duchy of Normandy, from the arrival of the Viking Rollon to the battle of Tinchebray. Two Norman poets then penned a love story that has stood the test of time: Tristan and Iseult. Marie de France, born in the middle of the 12th century, wrote short fables in Anglo-Norman. Building on her success, she was also one of the creators of courtly love, which in the Middle Ages meant loving courteously in the pursuit of joy.
At the end of the 15th century, the printing press revolutionized literature. But publishing a book depended on privileges, and these were held by Parisian publishers. Publishers in Rouen decided to circumvent the prevailing system by offering "second edition" books, which were of course printed at a lower quality, but with a larger print run. Over the course of most of the 17th century, more than 5,600 editions were printed in Rouen, making the Normandy town a major publishing center in France.
The literary explosion of the 19th century
Normandy has been the birthplace of many writers who have contributed to the region's renown, particularly in the 19th century. One of these great names in French literature was Jules Barbey-D'Aurevilly, theorist of dandyism and a native of Manche. He was in turn an essayist, poet, literary critic and journalist, and notably published the novel Une vieille maîtresse, set in his native region. Gustave Flaubert, whose bicentenary Rouen celebrates this year, is the author of the famous Madame Bovary. Taught in high school, this internationally acclaimed work has been adapted for several films, including one by Sophie Barthes, shot in several locations in the Perche region of Orne. Guy de Maupassant, born in Seine-Maritime, is an author who made his mark on French literature with Boule de suif and his collection of short stories La Maison Tellier. His greatest success remains Une vie, considered a major novel by the famous Russian writer Leo Tolstoy. Also born in Rouen, Maurice Leblanc created a mythical character: the gentleman burglar Arsène Lupin. In L'Aiguille creuse, Etretat is the setting for one of the many plots. The popular writer lived here for many years. His house, Le Clos Lupin, has become a museum dedicated to him.
Other writers honed their talents in Normandy during this period, even if they weren't born here. For example, Victor Hugo, a fierce opponent of the Emperor's regime, went into exile on the island of Guernsey. He lived there for fifteen years, penning some of his major works, including Les Misérables and Les Contemplations. His home, Hauteville House, has since become a museum.
In a different vein, Comtesse de Ségur, author of many successful works of children's literature, lived at Château des Nouettes in the Orne region. It was here, under her pen, that Les Malheurs de Sophie and Les Petites Filles modèles were written. The L'Aigle market is also depicted in one of his works. Ornais philosopher and essayist Alain, born in Mortagne-au-Perche in 1868, left his mark on the 20thcentury with his pamphlets following his experience of the Great War.
Contemporary authors
Normandy is still a fertile breeding ground for writers. The popular poet Jacques Prévert, who marked and continues to mark generations of schoolchildren, took up residence in Omonville-la-Petite in the early 1970s. Today, his final resting place is a museum on the tip of La Hague in the Manche département.
Closer to home, Michel Bussi, master of suspense, was born in Rouen and drew his inspiration from the city to write some of his novels, which are still best-sellers today. The author ofUn avion sans elle, adapted into a TV series, wrote Nymphéas noirs , set against the backdrop of the village of Giverny. In Mourir sur Seine, he sets his plot around the Armada, a famous sailing boat gathering. Katherine Pancol, whose Norman ties have been forged over the years in Fécamp, writes her novels in the region. The author of Moi d'abord and the first novel in a best-selling trilogy, Les Yeuxjaunes des crocodiles, spends half the year in the region. She was born in Isère and lives in Provence, yet Claudie Gallay has found the inspiration and the words to depict the wild landscapes of the Cotentin and its stormy sea with conviction in her magnificent novel Les Déferlantes.
