Revisiting the French Resistance in Cinema, Literature, Bande Dessinee

In this review of Revisiting the French Resistance in Cinema, Literature, Bande Dessinee, and Television (1942-2012) the author evaluates Christophe Corbin's examination of how fiction shaped France's memory of the Resistance. This book is for readers who want a critical, historically grounded survey rather than a celebratory anthology; its single biggest reason to buy is its close readings of varied media that reveal how myths, comedy, invisibility and resurgence of perspectives-especially women's-have influenced national identity. The review highlights strengths and a few limitations that matter to scholars and curious readers alike.

Key Features

• Cross-media analysis: Corbin traces the representation of the Resistance across cinema, literature and bande dessinee, helping readers see continuities and ruptures between forms.
• Historical span: Coverage from 1942 to 2012 offers long-range perspective on how portrayals evolved and responded to social change.
• Focus on myth and critique: The book examines the making of a national myth and also discusses comedies and works that debunk that image, giving a balanced view.
• Attention to gender: Chapters on the invisibility and resurfacing of women foreground a less-studied but important strand of Resistance representation.
• Case studies of lesser-known works: Analysis includes early and sometimes forgotten pieces such as Aragon's wartime poetry and films like Le Pere tranquille, widening the usual canon.
• Television coverage: Contemporary depictions on TV are considered alongside film and print, reflecting modern modes of memory transmission.

Who It's For

This volume suits graduate students, scholars of modern French history and culture, and serious readers of film and literary criticism who want an interpretive guide to how fiction helped construct postwar French identity. Its comparative approach makes it useful for courses on memory, media, or twentieth-century France.

Readers looking for a popular narrative history, a chronological memoir of Resistance heroes, or a richly illustrated coffee-table book should look elsewhere, since Corbin's work is analytical and focused on textual and filmic interpretation rather than broad popular storytelling or lavish visuals.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Wide-ranging cross-media scope provides a fuller picture than a single-medium study.
• Thoughtful attention to gender recovers marginalized perspectives in Resistance representations.
• Inclusion of lesser-known case studies enriches understanding beyond canonical works.

Cons

• The book's analytical tone and dense close readings may feel demanding for casual readers.

Specifications

Title	Revisiting the French Resistance in Cinema, Literature, Bande Dessinee, and Television (1942-2012)
Author	Christophe Corbin
Scope	Cinema, literature, bande dessinee, television
Period covered	1942-2012
Approach	Critical and comparative analysis of fictional representations
Case studies	Aragon's wartime poetry, Le Pere tranquille, Fortunat, Le Silence de...

Our Verdict

For specialists and motivated readers, this book is a valuable, well-argued study that situates fictional accounts of the Resistance within French cultural memory. Its comparative scope and focus on gender make it good value for academic study or seminar use, though casual readers should expect a demanding, analytical read rather than a popular history.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this book cover film and television equally?
Yes. Corbin treats cinema and television alongside literature and bande dessinee to show cross-media dynamics in representations of the Resistance.

Is this a general history of the Resistance?
No. It is a critical study of fictional portrayals and their cultural effects, not a narrative history of wartime events.

Will this book discuss women's roles?
Yes. One thread of the book examines the invisibility and later resurfacing of women in films and novels about the Resistance.