(1808-1889) novelist
Jules-Amedee Barbey d’Aurevilly was born in Saint-Sauveur-le-Vicomte on November 2 into an aristocratic family, was well educated, and was accustomed to privilege. In 1833, he moved to Paris, where he had numerous love affairs and led the unprincipled life of a “dandy,” supporting his activities through journalism. In 1841, he converted to strict Catholicism and eventually became, as would be apparent in his novels, a strong Christian moralist.
Barbey d’Aurevilly wrote numerous works of criticism and articles, but it was his novels that brought him acclaim. He was influenced by balzac and greatly admired baudelaire. As well as harshly criticizing naturalism, his novels and stories are notable for their highly moralistic but sadistic portrayals of the struggles and tragedies associated with life in the provinces of France.
Barbey d’Aurevilly is perhaps best known for his work Les Diaboliques (1874; The Diabolic Ones, 1925), a collection of six stories, all having some basis in fact and all carrying a similar satanic motif. This shocking work achieved great success both critically and popularly. He died in Paris, 15 years after its publication, at the age of 81.
Another Work by Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly
Dandyism. Translated by Douglas Ainsley. New York: PAJ Publications, 1988.
Works about Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly
Chartier, Armand B. Barbey d’Aurevilly. Boston: Twayne, 1977.
Eisenberg, Davina L. The Figure of the Dandy in Barbey D’Aurevilly’s “Le Bonheur Dans Le Crime”. New York: Peter Lang, 1996.
