The Plebiscite by Erckmann-Chatrian

Name: The Plebiscite
Author: Erckmann-Chatrian

The novel is set during the Franco-Prussian War and explores the theme of patriotism through the story of a plebiscite held in a small French town. The townspeople are forced to decide whether to remain part of France or become part of Germany, leading to tensions and conflicts within the community.

By Erckmann-Chatrian · First published 1862 · Genre: Historical Fiction, Political Satire, Social Commentary · 13 chapters · 96,539 words

First lines

I am writing this history for sensible people. It is my own story during the calamitous war we have just gone through. I write it to show those who shall come after us how many evil-minded people there are in the world, and how little we ought to trust fair words; for we have been deceived in this village of ours after a most abominable fashion; we have been deceived by all sorts of people -- by the sous-prefets, by the prefets, and by the Ministers; by the cures, by the official gazettes; in a word, by each and all.

Could any one have imagined that there are so many deceivers in this world? No, indeed; it requires to be seen with one's own eyes to be believed.

What this Textopian page supports

The Plebiscite is listed on Textopian as a novel by Erckmann-Chatrian, dated 1862 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Novel
Author: Erckmann-Chatrian
Date: 1862 CE
Language: English
Genres: Historical Fiction, Political Satire, Social Commentary, Drama, Literary Fiction
Length: 96,539 words
Structure: 13 chapters, 1,614 paragraphs
Reading fit: Fairly Easy (7th Grade)

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Discussion starters

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Similar titles

Genres

Historical Fiction — The narrative is set against the backdrop of a specific historical event, the Plebiscite, and explores the socio-political dynamics of the time.
Political Satire — The book critiques the political manipulation and deception surrounding the Plebiscite, highlighting the absurdities of governance and public opinion.
Social Commentary — It reflects on the lives of ordinary villagers and their interactions with authority, revealing the impact of political decisions on their daily lives.
Drama — The interpersonal conflicts and emotional exchanges between characters, particularly during the Plebiscite, create a dramatic narrative.