Nicolas-Edme Rétif belongs to the literary record as a writer whose work outlasted the moment that produced it.
The record lists Nicolas-Edme Rétif as French writer (1734–1806).
Nicolas-Edme Rétif was born at Sacy in 1734. His recorded nationality is France.
The eighteenth century built the literary marketplace - periodicals, subscription publishing, and readers who paid.
He worked as novelist, printer and diarist.
The writing is recorded in French.
Among his best-known works are Le paysan perverti, La Vie de mon père and La découverte australe par un homme-volant. Literature is judged by re-reading, which is a slower and harsher test than acclaim.
That the work was written from France matters: language, censorship and the reach of a publishing industry decide which books travel and which stay local.
Nicolas-Edme Rétif died in 1806, aged 72. The books remain, which is the only durable form a writing life takes.
Achievements
- Notable work: Le paysan perverti
- Notable work: La Vie de mon père
- Notable work: La découverte australe par un homme-volant
- Notable work: Les Nuits de Paris, ou le Spectateur-nocturne
