description: In his provocative study of this major literary figure, Mr. Fowlie defines Gide as the most persistently autobiographical writer in the history of French literature – a writer who was determined to use his skill as a method of self-exploration and as a way to an understanding of himself. Everything that Gide wrote reflected his personal conflicts, which are dominant themes in his his troubled childhood and adolescence; his religious and intellectual revolt; his sexual problem; his tortuous relationship with his cousin Madeleine, whom he loved and eventually married. Scholarly, and thoroughly fascinating, this reevaluation and re-creation of Gide, appearing a few decades after some of his major work was done, gives the reader a new sense not only of Gide the writer, but of Gide as the conscience of modern man. So provocative is Mr. Fowlie’s treatment of Gide that most readers will want to turn once again to the works of this prophetic French writer – and in rereading him they will find new insights, new rewards.
language: English
title: Andre Gide: His Life and Art
titlecomplete: Andre Gide: His Life and Art
publisher: MacMillan Pub Co