The Silence of Colonel Bramble

by André Maurois

The Silence of Colonel Bramble is a novel by French author Andre Maurois, originally published in 1918. Set during World War I, the book tells the story of two French soldiers, Colonel Bramble and Lieutenant Arthur de Gange, who are stationed in the small town of Salonika in Greece. The novel is written as a series of letters between the two men, as they discuss their experiences of the war, their personal lives, and their observations of the people and culture around them.Despite the horrors of war, the tone of the book is often light-hearted and humorous, as the two men share anecdotes and jokes with each other. However, the novel also explores more serious themes, such as the impact of war on individuals and communities, the nature of friendship, and the complexities of cultural differences.Through the characters of Colonel Bramble and Lieutenant de Gange, Maurois offers a nuanced portrayal of the French military and society during the early 20th century. The novel is also notable for its depiction of the Greek people and their culture, as seen through the eyes of the two French soldiers.Overall, The Silence of Colonel Bramble is a poignant and insightful novel that offers a unique perspective on World War I and the human experience of conflict.1920. Translated from the French by Thurfrida Wake; Verses translated by Wilfrid Jackson. Whitlock writes in the Introduction about The Silence of Colonel Every English officer one met was chuckling over it, and pointing out Old So-and-so in its pages as the original of this or that type. It was a picture not only of the Lennox Highlanders, but of every regimental and brigade mess in the army.#This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

Genres: World War I, French Literature, France, Classics, Fiction

204 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1918

About the author

André Maurois, born Emile Salomon Wilhelm Herzog, was a French author. André Maurois was a pseudonym that became his legal name in 1947.

During World War I he joined the French army and served as an interpreter and later a liaison officer to the British army. His first novel, Les silences du colonel Bramble, was a witty but socially realistic account of that experience. It was an immediate success in France. It was translated and also became popular in the United Kingdom and other English-speaking countries as The Silence of Colonel Bramble. Many of his other works have also been translated into English (mainly by Hamish Miles (1894–1937)), as they often dealt with British people or topics, such as his biographies of Disraeli, Byron, and Shelley.

During 1938 Maurois was elected to the prestigious Académie française. Maurois was encouraged and assisted in seeking this post by Marshal Philippe Pétain, and he made a point of acknowleging with thanks his debt to Pétain in his 1941 autobiography, Call no man happy - though by the time of writing, their paths had sharply diverged, Pétain having become Head of State of the Nazi-collaborationist Vichy France.

During World War II he served in the French army and the Free French Forces.

He died during 1967 after a long career as an author of novels, biographies, histories, children's books and science fiction stories. He is buried in the Neuilly-sur-Seine community cemetery near Paris.

Reviews

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 3 out of 5]

FRANÇAIS: Les souvenirs de l'auteur sur la Première Guerre mondiale, dans laquelle il a joué le même rôle que l'interprète Aurelle, et qui mêle ses réminiscences à ses poèmes, dont la traduction française du poème «If» de Kipling, que j'ai également traduit en espagnol, et peut être vu ici: https://sites.google.com/view/manuela...

J'ai beaucoup aimé la parabole que raconte le Dr O'Grady pour différencier le clergé anglican du clergé catholique, et pour expliquer le plus grand prestige de ce dernier sur le premier.

Très a propos est l'histoire du lieutenant qui s'estimait malmené par le destin, mais qui, grâce à ses maux et ses difficultés, parvient à réaliser sa plus grande aspiration.

ENGLISH: The author's memories of the First World War, in which he played the same role as the interpreter Aurelle, and who intersperses his reminiscences with his poems, one of which is the French translation of the poem "If" by Kipling, which I also translated into Spanish and can be viewed here: https://sites.google.com/view/manuela...

I really liked the parable told by Dr. O'Grady, to differentiate between the Anglican and the Catholic clergy, and to explain the greater prestige of the latter over the former.

I also liked a lot the story of the lieutenant who considered himself mistreated by fate, but who thanks to his ills and difficulties manages to achieve his greatest aspiration.

ESPAÑOL: Recuerdos del autor sobre la primera guerra mundial, en la que desempeñó el mismo papel que el intérprete Aurelle, y que entremezcla sus reminiscencias con sus poemas, uno de ellos la traducción al francés del poema "If" de Kipling, que yo también traduje al español, y puede verse aquí: https://sites.google.com/view/manuela...

Me ha gustado mucho la parábola que cuenta el Dr. O'Grady para diferenciar entre el clero anglicano y el católico, y explicar el mayor prestigio del segundo respecto al primero.

Es muy a propósito la historia del teniente que se consideraba maltratado por el destino, pero que gracias a sus males y dificultades llega a conseguir su más grande aspiración.

[Arnault Duprez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lì siamo ad un livello superiore della letteratura. La lettura è adatta al centenario dell'inizio della Prima Guerra mondiale. Ricordi, romanzati, dell'autore giovane durante la guerra dove fu agent de liaison fra un reggimento scozzese e l'autorità francese. La futura poltrona 26 dell'Accadémie Française pone i suoi ricordi, creando e sfruttando l'archetipo del gentleman ovvero il colonnello Bramble. Il libro diverte, i personaggi sono azzeccatissimi, commuove e fa riflettere. Un grande libro.

[Samane · Rating 4 out of 5]

For the men who made a revolution to remain in power after it is over. Yet one still finds revolutionaries: that proves how badly history is taught.
*****
Ambition, is after all not the only motive that inspires men to action. One can be a revolutionary from hatred of a tyrant, from jealousy, or even from the love of humanity.

[Béatrice · Rating 2 out of 5]

J'ai vainement cherché l'humour que j'attendais!

[Lola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Un peu pesant, mais cela reste un très bon livre. Des hommes qui tentent d'oublier l'atrocité de la Grande Guerre en se réfugiant dans l'écriture et la philo.

[Myth Liberated · Rating 5 out of 5]

داستان روان وساده ای از میدان جنگ که گاهی جملات و حکایت جالبی برای فکر کردن در خودش داره

[Carlo Hublet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un récit de guerre 14-18 plein d'humour...

[Lizard · Rating 3 out of 5]

تامل برانگیز. متن سرگردان

[Geert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soyons sérieux: ceci n'est pas un roman, c'est surtout une série de blagues anglaises, traduites en français. À part quelques détails vagues, ces scènes auraient pu se dérouler n'importe où, n'importe quand. Est-ce que c'est un mauvais livre? Beh non, mais vous n'apprendrez rien ou très peu sur la guerre.