Novel
Man's Fate
La Condition humaine
André Malraux · 1933
Synopsis
Shanghai, 21 March 1927. Chiang Kai-shek's nationalist army is approaching, and the communist cells are preparing a workers' uprising to hand the city over to it. Tchen kills an arms dealer in order to seize a cargo meant for the fighters. The next day, the insurrection breaks out and at first prevails. But the businessman Ferral urges the financial circles to back Chiang Kai-shek, who is preparing to turn against his allies.
Context
The novel appeared at Gallimard in 1933 and received the Prix Goncourt the same year, which made its author known to the general public. It closes a series of three Asian novels, after two books published in 1928 and 1930. It follows several characters, communists, adventurers and businessmen, during the days of the Shanghai uprising. Two English translations appeared in 1934, one under the title Man's Fate, the other under that of Storm in Shanghai.
Who it is for
Medium length, with many characters and no central hero. The 1927 break between Chinese communists and nationalists is useful reading beforehand.
Prizes and reception
In English, it is Haakon Chevalier's translation, Man's Fate, published in 1934, that remains regularly reissued.
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The pages consulted to check this page.