Marcel Aymé
Marcel Aymé was a notable French writer born in 1902 in Joigny, Yonne, who initially pursued a medical career before transitioning into various jobs, including bank clerk and reporter. He served in the French army for a brief period and published his first novel, *Brûlebois*, in 1926, which drew on his childhood experiences in a small town. Aymé gained international acclaim with his 1933 novel *La Jument verte* (The Green Mare), a work highlighting the conflicts within a village and its inhabitants. His literary output includes novels, stories, essays, and plays, many of which reflect his views on society, morality, and human nature, particularly during the turbulent times of World War II. Notable works like *Le Moulin de la sourdine* and *Uranus* express his disillusionment with the era. Aymé also ventured into theater, with plays that varied from satire to fantasy, showcasing his versatility as a writer. He passed away in Paris in 1967. His contributions to literature have left a lasting impact, making him a significant figure in 20th-century French literature.
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Marcel Aymé
Author
- Born: March 29, 1902
- Birthplace: Joigny, Yonne, France
- Died: October 14, 1967
- Place of death: Paris, France
Biography
Marcel Aymé was born in Joigny,Yonne, France in 1902. He attended medical school for a year and then dropped out. He worked as a bank clerk, insurance broker, film extra, mason, reporter, salesman, and accountant. He also served in the French army from 1922 until 1923.
Aymé published his first novel, Brûlebois, in 1926. This book, and many of his other early writings, derived from his childhood memories and is set in a small town. La Jument verte (1933; The Green Mare, 1955) is considered by some to be his tour de force. This book established him as a writer of international reputation. It tells about a small village and two families who are continually arguing; the book is full of ideas and people to defend them. Because of its success, Aymé could spend more of his time producing novels, stories, essays and plays. Soon, he moved to Paris.
Le Moulin de la sourdine (1936; The Secret Stream, 1953), is about a murder in a town where respectability is more important than truth. The town is eager to blame an ugly simpleton for the crime. However, when the real murderer declares himself, the town refuses to believe him. In Travelingue (1941; The Miraculous Barber, 1950), a barber delivers superficial philosophical speeches. Despite the fact that his orations are often clichéd, the barber becomes tremendously powerful, practically running the country, even though he never becomes an elected official. Le Chemin des écoliers (1946; The Transient Hour, 1948) and Uranus (1948; The Barkeep of Blémont, 1950) are both set during the German occupation of France in World War II. These two novels express Aymé’s bitterness about that period.
His first play, Vogue la galère, was produced in 1944. Clérambard, produced in 1950, is about the Clérambards, a poor family who live in the ruins of the castle, working hard to afford more repairs. Later, Saint Francis appears and performs a miracle, changing the Comte de Clérambard’s situation. Aymé’s other plays range from bitter satires to comedy and fantasy.
Aymé died of pneumonia in 1967 in Paris.