The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Red Lily, Complete, by Anatole France

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Title: The Red Lily, Complete

Author: Anatole France

Last Updated: March 2, 2009
Release Date: October 4, 2006 [EBook #3922]

Language: English

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Produced by David Widger

THE RED LILY

By Anatole France

The real name of the subject of this preface is Jacques-Anatole
Thibault. He was born in Paris, April 16, 1844, the son of a bookseller
of the Quai Malaquais, in the shadow of the Institute. He was educated
at the College Stanislas and published in 1868 an essay upon Alfred de
Vigny. This was followed by two volumes of poetry: 'Les Poemes Dores'
(1873), and 'Les Noces Corinthiennes' (1876). With the last mentioned
book his reputation became established.

Anatole France belongs to the class of poets known as "Les Parnassiens."
Yet a book like 'Les Noces Corinthiennes' ought to be classified among
a group of earlier lyrics, inasmuch as it shows to a large degree the
influence of Andre Chenier and Alfred de Vigny. France was, and is, also
a diligent contributor to many journals and reviews, among others, 'Le
Globe, Les Debats, Le Journal Officiel, L'Echo de Paris, La Revue de
Famille, and Le Temps'. On the last mentioned journal he succeeded Jules
Claretie. He is likewise Librarian to the Senate, and has been a member
of the French Academy since 1896.

The above mentioned two volumes of poetry were followed by many works in
prose, which we shall notice. France's critical writings are collected
in four volumes, under the title, 'La Vie Litteraire' (1888-1892); his
political articles in 'Opinions Sociales' (2 vols., 1902). He combines
in his style traces of Racine, Voltaire, Flaubert, and Renan, and,
indeed, some of his novels, especially 'Thais' (1890), 'Jerome Coignard'
(1893), and Lys Rouge (1894), which was crowned by the Academy, are
romances of the first rank.

Criticism appears to Anatole France the most recent and possibly the
ultimate evolution of literary expression, "admirably suited to a
highly civilized society, rich in souvenirs and old traditions.... It
p