Uranus (novel) facts for kids
The book Uranus is a French novel written by Marcel Aymé and published in 1948. It is the third part of a story told in three books, which look at France before, during, and after World War II. Uranus focuses on what happened in France right after the war, especially a time called the "purge." This was when people tried to make things right and hold people accountable who had helped the enemy during the war.
Contents
What is Uranus About?
This novel tells the story of Léopold, who owns a coffee shop. He becomes the main character and also faces challenges. Because of bombings, school lessons have to move to his coffee shop. It's there that Léopold discovers a new passion for the famous French writer Jean Racine and his play Andromaque.
The Main Character: Léopold
Léopold is the true hero of the book. He is also the one who faces many difficulties. His coffee shop becomes a place for learning. This unexpected change helps him find a deep interest in literature.
What Was the "Purge"?
The "purge" mentioned in the book refers to a period in France called the Épuration légale. This happened right after World War II. It was a time when the French government tried to deal with people who had helped the German occupation forces. The goal was to bring justice and rebuild society. The novel explores how this time affected ordinary people.
Marcel Aymé's Trilogy
Uranus is the final book in a series of three novels by Marcel Aymé. Each book looks at a different period in France's history around World War II.
The First Two Books
- The first book is Travelingue (published in 1948). It is set during the time of the Front Populaire. This was a group of left-wing political parties that governed France in the 1930s.
- The second book is Le Chemin des écoliers (published in 1946). This story takes place during the German occupation of France in World War II.
From Book to Film
Like many popular books, Uranus and one of its companion novels were made into movies.
Uranus on Screen
The novel Uranus was adapted into a film. The movie, also called Uranus, was directed by Claude Berri. It was released in 1990.
Le Chemin des écoliers as a Movie
The second book in the trilogy, Le Chemin des écoliers, also became a film. It was titled Way of Youth and directed by Michel Boisrond. This movie came out in 1959.
