Louis-Ferdinand Céline

Louis Ferdinand Céline (1894-1961) is one of the most influential and controversial authors of the twentieth century. His absurdly dark yet gripping prose is often described as a combination of fearless mordancy and bleakness, a style which was sensational in its day and remains celebrated today. Because of his unique writing style, his place as an important voice in modern French and world literature is assured.

Céline was born as Louis Ferdinand Destouches in Courbevoie, near Paris, on May 27, 1894. His father, Ferdinand-Auguste Destouches, was a postal worker and died when young Louis was only 6. His mother, Clémence Louis, was a dressmaker and supportive if rather fierce. Céline was given the forename “Louis” after a soldier who had fought in the Franco-Prussian war who, although seriously wounded, had managed to bring 3 of his troops back with him.

Early on in his life, Louis demonstrated an aptitude for language and poetry, qualities which were fostered by his maternal grandmother, an avid reader of classical works. When he was 11, Céline left for England to attend school but was sent home not long after due to a lack of money. Nonetheless, his teacher in England had a great influence on him and he was soon writing poetry.

Louis-Ferdinand Céline’s career as an author began in 1925 when he published Journey to the End of the Night. The story follows the life of anti-hero Bardamu, a French soldier in World War I and his subsequent travels in Europe, North Africa and the United States. The novel is remarkable in its sarcasm, ridicule and bittiness, presenting an unflattering picture of life and humanity with a comedy of the absurd. It was an immediate success and is widely regarded as his masterpiece.

Céline followed up Journey with two more novels, Death On the Installment Plan (1932) and Castle to Castle (1957). In these works, the author infuses his scenes with a nightmarish energy and often features characters who are figures of terrible despair, hopelessness and maladjustment. Once again, his use of destructive comedy and scathing wit made the books both a critical and financial success.

Political difficulties during and after World War II meant that Céline experienced a certain notoriety; although no charges were ever brought against him, he was widely believed to have sympathized with the Nazi ideology. Despite this, his popularity endured and his works were widely reprinted and adapted for film and stage.

Later in life, Céline returned to writing poetry and articles on medicine and medical issues, a topic which had always held a fascination for him. In 1950, he was awarded the David prize by the French Academy to recognise his contribution to medicine. Céline lived in semi-seclusion with his wife Lili and their daughter Calilles at his estate in Meudon, where he died of a brain tumor on July 1, 1961.

Louis-Ferdinand Céline is a pivotal figure in Twentieth Century French literature and world literature more generally. Despite the criticism leveled at him for his political views, his works remain some of the most read, adapted and celebrated in modern literature. His novels, in particular, are remarkable in their mordant humor and satire, both of which are employed in service of a larger truth and greater understanding. There can be no doubt that Céline’s mark on modern literature will long remain.