The Modern Novel

Biography

Georges Bernanos was born in Paris in 1888. His father was a decorator. He had considered becoming a priest but gave up the idea and studied law and literature at the Sorbonne before his military service. He had very right-wing views, supporting a return to the monarchy as well as being a staunch Catholic. He served in the army during World War I and was wounded several times. In 1917 he married a woman who was allegedly a descendant of the brother of Joan of Arc. They had six children. After the war, he worked in insurance till he was able to make a career out of writing. His novels, most of which were written between 1926 and 1938, dealt with Catholic themes and the struggles of faith. He had also been involved in Action française but left when it was condemned by the Vatican. In 1933 he was injured in an accident and was later evicted from his house because of debts. The family moved to Majorca, as it was cheaper. He was initially supportive of Franco (his son joined the Phalange, before deserting) but later turned against him because of the cruelty of the nationalists.

The family left Spain in 1937 but then moved to South America because of the rise of fascism, finally settling in Brazil. They returned to France after the War where Bernanos turned down both political office and membership in the Académie française. They lived for a while in Tunisia in 1947 but returned to France the following year, as Bernanos’ health was deteriorating. He died the following year. Robert Bresson‘s film of Journal d’un Curé de Campagne (Diary of a Country Priest) won the Golden Lion award at the Venice Film Festival in 1951. While still read in France, his Catholicism has meant that his work is not much read abroad.

Other links

Georges Bernanos
Georges Bernanos (1888-1948)
Bernanos, Georges
Georges Bernanos (in French)
Georges Bernanos (in French)
Georges Bernanos (in French)
Georges Bernanos (in French)
Georges Bernanos (in French)