Jouhandeau, Marcel

(1888-1979)

   writer

   Born in Gueret, Marcel Jouhandeau at first considered studying for the priesthood, but then took a degree in literature and became a professor in Paris. Although he destroyed his early writings in 1914, he soon produced an abundant amount of work, which was organized along three themes: himself, God, and others. One of Jouhandeau's important works as an incisive critic of the marital state is Chroniques maritales (1935-38). Other works, written in his ironic style, are La Jeunesse de Théophile (1921); Les Pincengrain (1924); Monsieur Godeau intime (1926); and Monsieur Godeau marie (1933). In his 28 Journaliers, 1961-1982), he deals frankly with the issue that, for him, there are only two sins that count, impiety and murder. A colorful and unusually candid person, Jouhandeau is considered one of the most gifted and versatile of modern writers.