Alain-Fournier

Jennifer Hashmi

Alain-Fournier, was born in 1886 in La Chapelle-d'Angillon in the Cher region of France. His book "Le Grand Meaulnes" is about adolescence and regret for that which is lost. Jennifer Hashmi has not tried to transform Le Grand Meaulnes into an English version of a French novel. The poetic style of the original has been left intact, pointing always to something unattainable. Alain-Fournier communicates in hints, recollections, and frequent ellipses when Francois leaves the reader to intuit the rest for himself. Ms. Hashmi has adhered to the French wording and gaps in order to retain the intangible quality of Alain-Fournier's narrative. The story is about searching for that which is lost, lost youth, lost people, and is told by Francois who narrates all that is precious in his memory of Augustin Meaulnes, who changed his life for ever, and the lives of all of his class at Sainte-Agathe.

Le Grand Meaulnes

These stories are about a boy who dared to make friends with someone who was different. He traveled to his friend's country through the night on the back of an owl and gained many more close friends in a land, which no one can reach unless taken by the hand of one of its inhabitants. They are stories of adventure and the power of friendship.

Sonny, Gogo, Tobo, And Their Adventures

Sonny and Gogo are not yet quite thirteen but are plunged into a series of events which would challenge adults. They are made aware of inequalities in societies which in our world are perpetuated, but in theirs must be dealt with quickly and with compassion. The societies of the Islands draw, consciously or unconsciously, on the teachings of King Arthur based on the honouring of women and the defence of the weak. Time in the Archipelago is not linear, so theoretically communication across the bands of time is possible. A modern-day admirer of King Arthur is dubbed a Knight and requested to defend the weak. In this book the boys begin to realize what it must mean to grow up and take up the responsibilities which fall on the shoulders of all those who accept the basic challenge of growing up.

Jennifer Hashmi

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