author
H.-R. (Henri-René) Lenormand
1882–1951
A major French playwright of the years between the World Wars, he brought symbolism and psychological insight to the stage. His plays explore hidden motives, dreams, instinct, and the unsettling forces beneath everyday life.
2 Audiobooks
Le penseur et la crétine : récits
by H.-R. (Henri-René) Lenormand
L'armée secrète, suivi de Fidélité et du Juge intérieur
by H.-R. (Henri-René) Lenormand
About the author
Born in Paris on May 3, 1882, Henri-René Lenormand was the son of composer René Lenormand. He studied at the University of Paris and became known for plays shaped by symbolism and an interest in subconscious motivation, including the influence of Sigmund Freud’s theories.
Lenormand married Dutch actress Marie Kalff in 1911, and she created many of his plays in Paris. His best-known works include Les Possédés, Terres chaudes, Les Ratés, Le Mangeur de rêves, and Le Simoun. His drama was widely performed in Europe and America during the years after the First World War.
He also wrote poetry, prose, memoirs, and essays on the theater. Lenormand died in Paris on February 16, 1951.