
A MON PÈRE - Témoignage de ma piété filiale,
PRÉFACE DE LA NEUVIÈME ÉDITION
LE CALVAIRE - PAR - OCTAVE MIRBEAU - AVEC UNE PRÉFACE DE L'AUTEUR - SEIZIÈME ÉDITION - PARIS - PAUL OLLENDORFF, ÉDITEUR - 28 bis, RUE DE RICHELIEU, 28 bis - 1887
LE CALVAIRE
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In this thoughtful work a narrator wrestles with the bitter echoes of a recent war, confronting the terse judgments of fervent patriots who have labeled his reflections as treasonous, naïve, or even criminal. Through a blend of personal testimony and biting commentary, he questions the conventional glorification of battle, insisting that true patriotism need not roar from the battlefield but can whisper from the quiet chambers of conscience. The opening pages set a tone of defiant honesty, inviting listeners to consider how art, compassion, and the harsh realities of defeat intersect in a society eager for heroic myths.
The story then turns inward, tracing the fragile psyche of a gentle, dream‑tossed soul who seeks solace in poetry, science, and the dignity of ordinary laborers. As he navigates accusations and the relentless tide of public opinion, he illuminates a vision of nationhood rooted in cultural richness and humane progress rather than militaristic spectacle. Listeners will find a nuanced meditation on love for one’s country that embraces both its triumphs and its wounds, offering a quiet, resonant alternative to the clamor of war.
Language
fr
Duration
~7 hours (449K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Madeleine Fournier and Marc D'Hooghe (From images generously made available by the Internet Archive)
Release date
2013-11-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1848–1917
A fierce satirist and brilliant stylist, this French writer turned novels, plays, and journalism into sharp attacks on hypocrisy, cruelty, and social injustice. His work could be scandalous, funny, and unsettling all at once.
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