Gabriel Chevallier

About the Author

Gabriel Chevallier (1895-1969) was a French novelist, dramatist, and screenwriter whose works often drew from his personal experiences during the tumultuous events of the early 20th century. Born in Lyon, he served as a soldier in World War I, an ordeal that profoundly shaped his literary output, infusing it with raw authenticity and a poignant critique of war's inhumanity. Chevallier's debut novel, Clochemerle (1934), brought him international acclaim for its satirical take on provincial French life, but it was his unflinching memoir-novel Fear: A Novel of World War I (New York Review Books Classics) that cemented his reputation as a powerful voice against militarism. Throughout his career, he penned over a dozen books, blending humor, social commentary, and historical insight, while also contributing to film and theater. His writing remains a testament to the resilience of the human spirit amid chaos, influencing generations of readers and writers alike.