Henri Barbusse
Henri Barbusse was a French novelist and a member of the French Communist Party. He was born on May 17, 1873, in Asnières-sur-Seine, France, and died on August 30, 1935. Barbusse first gained wide recognition with his novel 'Le Feu' (Under Fire), published in 1916, which was based on his experiences as a soldier in World War I. The novel won the prestigious Prix Goncourt. Barbusse's work is known for its pacifist and socialist themes, and he was actively involved in leftist politics throughout his life, advocating for the Soviet Union and communism. His literary contributions and political activism made him a significant figure in early 20th-century French literature and politics.
Books
This list of books are ONLY the books that have been ranked on the lists that are aggregated on this site. This is not a comprehensive list of all books by this author.
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1. Hell
This novel is a narrative about a man who finds a hole in the wall of his Parisian boarding house room and begins spying on his fellow boarders. Through his voyeuristic observations, he witnesses a variety of human experiences and emotions such as love, despair, and death. Ultimately, he comes to the realization that people are essentially alone in their experiences and emotions, leading him to a profound existential crisis.
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2. Under Fire
"Under Fire" is a gripping first-person narrative of life in the trenches during World War I. The protagonist, a French soldier, provides an intimate and harrowing account of the physical and psychological toll of warfare. The book presents a grim picture of the war, highlighting the camaraderie among soldiers, the horror of the battlefield, the senseless loss of life, and the disillusionment of those who must endure it. The narrative is known for its stark realism and profound anti-war sentiments.
