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Edmund and Jules de Goncourt

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Authors

The Resume

    Edmond (May 26, 1822-July 16, 1896), born in Nancy, France
    Jules (December 17, 1830-June 20, 1870), born in Paris
    Jointly wrote the novels 'En 18....' (1851), 'Renee Maupessin' (1864), 'Germinie Lacerteaux' (1865), and 'Madame Gervaisais' (1869)
    Edmond wrote the novels 'La Fille Elisa' (1877), 'Les Faustin' (1882) and 'Cheri' (1884)
    Kept journals documenting the literary and artistic society of Paris (1851-96)

Why they might be annoying:

    The only time Edmond worked at a job (before the death of their mother provided an inheritance they would live off of), he found the experience so miserable that he considered suicide.
    Jules died of a stroke brought about by syphilis.
    Their journal records Edmond's growing jealousy of more successful writers, especially Guy de Maupassant and Emile Zola.
    Fear of lawsuits kept their complete journals from being published until the 1950s.

Why they might not be annoying:

    They were indicted, but ultimately acquitted, for an 'outrage against morality' after quoting erotic Renaissance poems in an article (1852).
    They were pioneers of naturalism in French literature.
    Their novel 'Germainie Lacerteaux' was inspired by their housekeeper, who had been stealing from the brothers to finance a secret second life of orgies and other sexual encounters.
    Edmond left his estate to found the Academie Goncourt, which awards the Prix Goncourt, considered the most prestigious literary award in France.
    Atlantic Monthly described their journals as 'the most fascinating and vivid history in existence of the literary and artistic life of the last half of the [19th] century.'

Credit: C. Fishel


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Year In Review:

    In 2023, Out of 2 Votes: 50.0% Annoying
    In 2022, Out of 2 Votes: 0% Annoying
    In 2021, Out of 10 Votes: 70.0% Annoying