Mehr lesen
"No one who has ever read this remarkable novel and looked at human life through Barbusse's peephole can ever forget the experience."-Robert Baldick
"It is Barbusse, not Gide, not Proust and not Maurois whose work marks the great turning point in French twentieth-century literature."-Jean Favrille
Hell is the most highly focused study of voyeurism ever written. A young man staying in a Paris boarding house finds a hole in the wall above his bed. Through this he obsessively studies the private moments and secret activities of his neighbors. Marriage, adultery, lesbianism, religion and death are all seen through this small spy hole.
Decades ahead of its time Hell shocked and scandalized the reviewing public when first released in English. Even so, The New Republic praised "the beauty of the book's nervous yet fluid rhythms. . . . Every simile is faultlessly keyed. The book sweeps away life's illusions."
Über den Autor / die Autorin
Henri Barbusse was a French novelist and war correspondent, best known for his powerful anti-war literature. Born on May 17, 1873, Barbusse's experiences as a soldier during World War I deeply influenced his writing. His most famous work, "Under Fire: The Story of a Squad," offers a stark portrayal of the brutality of trench warfare and the psychological impact of combat on soldiers.
Barbusse's writing is marked by its vivid imagery and emotional depth, capturing the camaraderie and suffering of soldiers while conveying a strong anti-war message. He believed in the importance of depicting the harsh realities of war to foster understanding and peace.
In addition to his literary contributions, Barbusse was politically active, advocating for pacifism and social justice. He remained an influential figure in literature and political discourse until his death on August 30, 1935. His works continue to resonate, offering timeless reflections on the human condition amidst conflict.
Zusammenfassung
"No one who has ever read this remarkable novel and looked at human life through Barbusse's peephole can ever forget the experience."—Robert Baldick
"It is Barbusse, not Gide, not Proust and not Maurois whose work marks the great turning point in French twentieth-century literature."—Jean Favrille
Hell is the most highly focused study of voyeurism ever written. A young man staying in a Paris boarding house finds a hole in the wall above his bed. Through this he obsessively studies the private moments and secret activities of his neighbors. Marriage, adultery, lesbianism, religion and death are all seen through this small spy hole.
Decades ahead of its time Hell shocked and scandalized the reviewing public when first released in English. Even so, The New Republic praised "the beauty of the book's nervous yet fluid rhythms. . . . Every simile is faultlessly keyed. The book sweeps away life's illusions."
