LD191 Café Littéraire: The Great Meaulnes (“Le Grand Meaulnes”), Alain Fournier

The Great Meaulnes, by Alain-Fournier, is a haunting coming-of-age novel that blends youthful idealism with nostalgia and loss. Narrated by François Seurel, the story follows the enigmatic Augustin Meaulnes, a charismatic student who stumbles upon a mysterious, dreamlike estate and falls in love with the elusive Yvonne de Galais. Meaulnes becomes obsessed with finding the estate and reclaiming that fleeting moment of enchantment. Set in the French countryside at the turn of the 20th century, the novel explores themes of lost innocence, romantic yearning, and the disillusionment that often follows the pursuit of idealized dreams. Alain-Fournier, who died in World War I shortly after the novel’s publication, infused his only work with a sense of tragic beauty and emotional depth that continues to resonate with readers today.

Two spaces are reserved for new WICE members. If no new WICE members have registered before 17 December, those two spaces will become available to the general WICE membership.

The book group meets at the organizer's apartment. The directions, door code, telephone number, etc., are sent in the 7-day and 1-day reminder emails, following registration.

Registration for the December meeting opens on 25 November 2025.