Жорж Санд

by André Maurois, Андре Мороа, Невяна Розева (Translator)

Žoržas Sandas neparastā dzīve-jaunības gadi, laulības, pirmās publikācijas, cīņa, lai realizētu savu aicinājumu, mīlestība pret Šopēnu, draugi Flobērs, Lists, Misē, Delakruā. Sakšu Morica mazmazmeita, tā paša, kurš bēga no Kurzemes un viņa vārdā nosaukta sala Usmas ezerā. Strasbūrā Toma baznīcā pie viņa kapa vēl tagad redzams Kurzemes ģerbonis.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Biography Memoir, France, French Literature

466 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1952

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

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Possibly it was the long paragraphs, or the small print, or the fact that in 470 pages there were only ten pages about her actual writing. Possibly Sand’s life should have been written by a woman. Whatever it was, somehow I found only moments of joy in this biography. A Craig Bell’s biography of A Dumas, pere was a triumph. Maurois’ Sand biography, unfortunately was not.

Overall though I see Goodreads has given it a 4.12* so it must have been better than I realised. Maybe,

[Satrina T · Rating 5 out of 5]

A long time ago I heard about a writer who loved to dress in men's clothes because she loved the freedom. I immediately felt identified because I always loved my jeans and hated those frilly silly dresses my mom bought for me.

Later I saw a movie about her life and liked the portrayal of her personality.

Then, when I was in college I was perusing the library when I found her biography so I had to read it. I really liked it because I got more insight as to her background and her motives.

[Button · Rating 3 out of 5]

Maurois doesn't seem all that concerned with maintaining objectivity, or any pretext of it. But it's thorough, it's blessedly chronological (those who don't write chronological biographies, excluding Nancy Mitford, ought to be spat out of the biography ring), and it isn't a complete hagiography. Also, Gerard Manley Hopkins' poetry comes through at points throughout the translation, which is a real treat.

[Medeea · Rating 5 out of 5]

very nice written, very well documented, interesting characters, especially George Sand, not a very good writer herself, but with a life that beat all her novels.

[Alejandro Teruel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fascinante y detallada biografía de la novelista y escritora francesa George Sand. Poco conocida hoy en día, su nombre evoca a la amante de Federico Chopin y Alfred De Musset, una novelista de prosa fluida y fácil que ocasionalmente vestía como hombre para escándalo de sus contemporáneos. La realidad es mucho más compleja, pues George Sand llegó a vivir setenta y dos años y la lista de sus amistades y corresponsales es prácticamente un inventario intelectual, artístico y político de la Francia del siglo XIX. Afirma Maurois que "Evolucionando con su época, permanece como un eco sonoro en el centro de las ideas nuevas". Sus relación con Chopin duraron unos ocho o nueve años de una intensa y agitada vida que la vio desafiar la subordinación intelectual de la mujer de la época, codearse de tú a tú con los más eminentes escritores y artistas francesas de la época, participar como vocera del gobierno de la revolución de 1848, interceder por numerosos de sus allegados en los procesos reaccionarios que llevaron al gobierno imperial de Napoleón III, horrorizarse de la guerra franco-prusiana y terminar sus días como dulce y apasionada abuela, a la vez que seguía una férrea disciplina que la llevaba a escribir unas veinte a treinta páginas diariamente y a culminar y publicar de dos a tres novelas por año.

André Maurois escribe esta biografía con mucho respeto, mucha curiosidad y haciendo gala de interesantes y penetrantes observaciones psicológicas. Por ejemplo resume su proto-feminismo así: "lo que ella pedía para las mujeres no era el derecho de voto y elección, sino la igualdad civil y la igualdad sentimental." En ocasiones el texto se hace tedioso y ciertamente se necesita conocer de los protagonistas intelectuales del siglo XIX francés para disfrutar del maravilloso y casi proustiano tejido que hace André Maurois de la vida personal, social y política de George Sand. Si bien el biógrafo considera parte de su deber mencionar las principales obras de la escritora e incluir un breve resumen de sus particularidades de estilo y contenido, claramente lo que le atrae y fascina está centrada en su prolija correspondencia y sus libros de memorias, más que en las novelas, a tal grado que no logró motivarme a buscar alguna de las más de cien novelas escritas por George Sand. Así culmina André Maurois su obra:

"George Sand es inmortal por Consuelo [...] pero también por su Journal intime, por las Lettres d´un Voyageur, por esa inmensa correspondencia tan fácil, tan justa de tono, tan firme de pensamiento, y por la verdad permanente de sus ideas. Muchas de las tesis que defendió y que sorprendieron, en su tiempo, a lectores sin imaginación, se han convertido hoy en la política de los mejores[...] La igualdad que pedía para las mujeres [...], la igualdad que pedía para el pueblo, el sufragio universal; una más justa repartición de la riqueza, no hay ya espíritu honrado que no esté de acuerdo con ella en esto."

[Becky]

I found my copy at a used book store. I've been interested in reading a biography on Sand ever since I learned that she knew Chopin.

[Wendy Bertsch · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aurore's 'mothering' of her young male protégés, in her latter years, however true it may have been, was a little too sappy for me.

[Damaris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me encantó esta biografía y saber de la vida de la mujer q convivió con Chopin por 8 años.

[Steve Gordon · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent book on a brilliant artist.

[Alexbookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating!

[Jeffrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got a lot out of this biography of one the most brave woman in early literary history. A better understanding of her situation in life, her philosophies, circle of peers (friends, enemies, lovers and family) often frustrating, often moving and very enlightening. The author inserts his judgements often, but they seem acute and compassionate. I really enjoyed the ride.

[John Purcell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lelia: The Life of George Sand by Andre Maurois was the best book I read in 2024.

Maurois let Sand, and those in her life, speak for themselves in generous excerpts from letters, diaries and memoirs.

Some books you read, some you experience. This book was an experience.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Worth every minute............ amazing what she did as a woman in the 18th century.

[Marko]

I have the german edition.