The novels of Henri Troyat

Abstract

A quick glance at Henri Troyat's literary creation reveals that the novels occupy the major place in it. The purpose of this study is to consider: (a) their basic structure (b) the principal and some of the minor characters (c) the main themes (d) their artistic value. To facilitate discussion of these aspects, the novels were divided into three groups, namely: novels published Between 1935 and 1952, novels published between 1952 and 1973 and ‘romans-fleuve'. The first chapter discusses the main structural traits in Henri Troyat's twelve novels and five 'romans-fleuve', and outlines the differences and similarities between them as far as structure is concerned.The chapter entitled "Themes" deals with the most relevant topics Henri Troyat presented in the novels, that is, history, religious ideas and the problems of the exile and the family. It also emphasises some of the current sociological and political implications these topics present.Chapter VI is a discussion on the artistic devices used by the writer,with a particular section on his views about the novel and the role of the novelist in general. Three of the total six chapters deal with the major characters in various short and longer novels and this is because it is beyond any doubt that one of Henri Troyat's greatest concerns lies in the individual and the human destiny. In the concluding chapter, besides reviewing the ensemble of Henri Troyat's novels and their main features, we have attempted to assess his place in contemporary French literature and his contribution to literature as such.