Celebrity Biography (Illustrated Edition)

Author: (French) Roman Rolland
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2003-10-01
Features: Since the 19th century, the theme of heroes has gradually declined in French literature and nearly vanished by the 20th century. From the Renaissance to the 20th century, the image of humanity shrank in literary works: during the Renaissance, it was the towering "giants"; in the Enlightenment, it was the majestic "human being"; in the early 19th century, in the works of writers like Stendhal, Balzac, and Hugo, it was mostly energetic, ambitious, and extraordinary individuals; in the mid-19th century, Flaubert primarily depicted ordinary people; in the late 19th century, starting with the naturalist movement, there was more focus on portraying sickly, ugly, or even animalistic individuals. This book is a collection of three biographies by the outstanding French realist writer and Nobel Prize laureate, Roman Rolland—Beethoven: The Biographical Story, Michelangelo: The Biographical Story, and Tolstoy: The Biographical Story—and is a masterpiece in the world of biographical literature. It vividly portrays the inner journeys of these three artistic giants as they faced hardships and setbacks yet remained steadfast in their convictions. It highlights their noble character, compassionate emotions, and broad-mindedness, composing a grand and moving "symphony of heroes" for humanity.