5 inspiring books to rediscover workers and peasants of the 20th century

5. Near Georges Navel bees

Ed. Gallimard, coll. Geographical feeling, 144 p. ; 25 €.

“Lying on a corn bench, I spent my nights in the attic. Chardonnet remitted the winter melons there, the watermelons for the jam, the immortals hanging on a string; Everything hired my home (…). In the tile was loved. »»

Born in 1904, Georges Navel is a worker of fields and cities, who ranges from a farm to a site, always admiring the wonders of nature. In the years 1920-1930, he worked in the Provencal hinterland in brave people, Les Chardonnet. He also joins a community of vegans for a time …

His superb prose, admired by Jean Paulhan and Jean Giono, captivates and echoes the desire of some, today, to live together, in sobriety, of the work of the earth.

Our opinion: PPP

→ It also seems Course, Autobiography of Georges Navel imbued with modesty, ode to freedom. (Éd. Gallimard, coll. The imaginary, 240 p .; € 13).