Autour De La Lettre Aux Directeurs De La Resistance

Jean Paulhan’s Lettre aux directeurs de la resistance is an important statement about the influence of Communism in intellectual and literary circles. On publication in 1952, the pamphlet revived the debates over collaboration with the Nazi authorities that had dominated French society since the Liberation, and it still has important echoes today. This presentation of the pamphlet by John Flower examines both Paulhan’s evolution during this period and his position alongside those of other key figures such as Mauriac and Camus. The volume makes a contribution to our understanding of this turbulent period and provides a documentary history of the post-war political and literary debates in Paris. Professor Flower has had access to hitherto unpublished material from the archives of Paulhan and Mauriac as well as those of the CNE (Comite national des ecrivains). The appendices include the original open letters Paulhan wrote to the CNE, two pamphlets by Courier, some extracts from a polemical pamphlet by Brille and a selection of the many articles and letters that appeared in the national press. The book also includes a full contextualising introduction by the editor.