Céline Biography and New Books on Writer's Politics and Antisemitism

Henri Godard's biography of Louis-Ferdinand Céline, released by Gallimard, intricately weaves together the author's life and literary contributions, highlighting his modest beginnings, wartime experiences, and distinctive writing style. The book delves into the origins of Céline's antisemitism, exploring influences from family, literature, political circumstances, personal traumas, and envy. Yves Pagès's reissued work "Céline, fictions du politique" (Gallimard) analyzes the ideological factors shaping Céline's political beliefs, aligning with historian Zeev Sternhell's views on extremism. Meanwhile, Gisèle Sapiro's "La Responsabilité de l'écrivain" (Seuil) draws parallels between Céline and other morally compromised authors, addressing the ethical duties of writers. Laurent Joly's "L'Antisémitisme de bureau" (Grasset) investigates Vichy officials involved in the Jewish deportation, while Gérard Guégan's "Fontenoy ne reviendra plus" (Grasset) brings attention to Jean Fontenoy, a 1930s author who tragically took his own life in 1945.