French Literature Reviews - 2026

Andreï Makine, le sentiment poétique, ed. M. Parry, C. Herly, M.-L. Scheidhauer
Novel and Narrative Prose

Andreï Makine, le sentiment poétique

Edited by Margaret Parry, Claude Herly, Marie-Louise Scheidhauer

Rencontres de la Cerisaie (2006; Mortagne-au-Perche)

L'Harmattan

Series: Literary Criticisms

Paris

10 April 2008

ISBN (EAN13): 978-2-296-05513-1

280 pages
25,00 €

Publisher's overview:

This book, the third volume originating from the "Rencontres de la Cerisaie" (Perche) dedicated to Andreï Makine, explores the poetic atmosphere that permeates his novels and gives them their distinctive tone. Readers will discover a diverse range of perspectives—reflecting exchanges among scholars of seven nationalities—that offer a deeper insight into Makine's literary universe and its rich complexity. These studies examine key themes such as nostalgia for Russian nature and land, the mystery of femininity and the poetics of love, and the allure of memory, alongside an analysis of the author's linguistic and stylistic devices. Amidst the backdrop of historical and external events, these techniques allow an inner voice to resonate, continually articulating the human experience, a fascination with beauty, and a pull toward the absolute.

Building upon the previous publication, which focused on the Russian sources of Makine's inspiration, this volume examines several of his literary predecessors—notably Bunin and Chekhov—to illuminate key dimensions of his work and contextualize Makine within a broader tradition. At the same time, it highlights the striking originality of an oeuvre which, much like the works of Mauriac or Martin du Gard in earlier times, demonstrates how Russian novelistic aesthetics can infuse new vitality into the contemporary European novel.

This volume gathers international scholarly perspectives from the Rencontres de la Cerisaie to examine the poetic dimensions and stylistic devices shaping Andreï Makine's fiction. Contributors analyze recurring motifs such as the nostalgia for Russian landscapes, the complexities of memory, and the mystery of femininity. By situating Makine alongside literary predecessors like Chekhov and Bunin, the essays illuminate how his narratives engage with broader artistic traditions while maintaining a distinct inner voice focused on beauty and the absolute.

The book serves as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and readers interested in contemporary French literature and the intersection of Russian and European novelistic aesthetics. It offers critical insights into how Makine revitalizes narrative prose through distinctive stylistic choices and deep historical consciousness. Scholars of comparative literature and Francophone studies will find this collection particularly helpful for understanding the cross-cultural currents within modern European fiction and the enduring legacy of classical Russian literature.