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Hector-Henri Malot (Hector Malot) (20 May 1830 – 18 July 1907) was a French writer born in La Bouille, Seine-Maritime. He studied law in Rouen and Paris, but eventually literature became his passion. He worked as a dramatic critic for Lloyd Francais and as a literary critic for L'Opinion Nationale.
His first book, published in 1859, was Les Amants. In total Malot wrote over 70 books. By far his most famous book is Sans Famille (Nobody's Boy, 1878), which deals with the travels of the young orphan Remi, who is sold to the street musician Vitalis at age 8. Sans Famille gained fame as a children's book, though it was not originally intended as such.
Birth
Birth
Hector Malot's parents are Marie-Anne-Victoire Le Bourgeois and Jean Baptiste Malot. They married on September 30, 1826, each for the second time.
From the union was born first a child named Victor, who died young. On May 20, 1830, Hector was born in the family home of La Bouille, on the banks of the Seine. A few hours after his birth, a sailboat moored in front of the house suddenly veers dangerously towards it. It breaks the window of the newborn’s room with its bowsprit. When a crowd gathers they find the little Hector sleeping peacefully as if nothing happened, which is seen as an omen of an unusual destiny.
Childhood and adolescence
Childhood and adolescence
From La Bouille to Bosc-Bénard-Commin
Hector spent his early childhood in La Bouille, where he observed the bustling activity along the Seine riverbank. In October 1835, his family relocated to Bosc-Bénard-Commin in the Eure department due to his father-in-law's job transfer. This move introduced Hector to a new environment, sparking his love for reading classical literature and allowing him to immerse himself in the countryside. He developed a passion for nature and botany through various escapades, where he explored and appreciated the beauty of the natural world, including the cycles of seasons, crops, trees, flowers, insects, and animals.
Boarding school in Rouen
At the age of 9, Hector's father decides to send him to boarding school in Rouen due to his poor progress in education, despite efforts by his mother to delay the decision. In October 1839, Hector arrives at the Heudron and Lamardeley Institute, where he mingles with the sons of affluent peasants and local notables. It's here that he forms a friendship with future literary critic Jules Levallois. Three years later, in 1842, Hector transitioned to Corneille High School in Rouen. However, he struggles to excel academically, feeling stifled by the educational system. His preference leans towards history class, where he finds solace in a teacher whom he regards as an unconventional and free-spirited individual.
Early writing and family life
Early writing and family life
Arrival in Paris
Hector Malot arrived in Paris in 1847 when he was 17 years old. he continued his studies there at the Condorcet high school where he obtained his baccalaureate after two years. By his father’s wishes, he began studying law which he continued for three years. However, in 1853, against the wishes of his father, he decided to abandon the legal path to devote himself to a literary career. In the years that followed, Hector tried in vain to have a first play performed. To ensure his livelihood, he wrote a few articles, notably in Journal pour tous, where Jules Simon hired him for his knowledge of botany.From Moisselles to Fontenay-sous-Bois
Hector Malot, a journalist in Paris, struggled to write his first novel until he retreated to Moisselles. There, he completed "Les Amants" in 1859. After his mother died in 1862, he found solace in writing "Romain Kalbris." In 1865, he built a chalet in Fontenay-sous-Bois, where he lived until his death. He married Anna Dariès in 1867, having a daughter named Lucie. After Anna died in 1880, he remarried Marthe Oudinot de La Faverie. From Moisselles to Fontenay-sous-Bois
End of career and retirement
End of career and retirement
In 1887, the Journal de Rouen published in its daily edition the novel Ghislaine in serial form, paying homage to Malot’s Norman roots.
In 1893, a year after writing En Famille (loosely translated as Nobody’s Girl), Malot’s granddaughter Perrine was born, sharing the name of the heroine of the novel. He proves to be an attentive and loving grandfather, curious to note the development he observes of the child.
In 1894 Malot published his last novel, Amours de Vieux. He decides to put an end to his literary career and retire to his home in Fontenay-sous-Boris where he plans new trips. However, two years later, he published an autobiographical work, Les Romans de mes romans (The Novel of my Novels). He also wrote, shortly before his death, a text entitled Le Mousse, which would only appear posthumously in 1901. These last two works are dedicated to Perrine.
Suffering from paralysis since 1905, Hector Malot died on July 18, 1907 in Fontenay-sous-Bois. He is buried there in the cemetery where he rests in the company of his first wife Anna, his father Jean-Baptiste, his daughter Lucie, his sister Prudence, and his son-in-law, General Mesple.
Some famous works of Hector Malot
Some famous works of Hector Malot
-Victims d'Amour (a trilogy) encompassing:
Les Amants (1859)
Les Époux (1865)
Les Enfants (1866)
-Un Beau frère (1869)
-Madame Obernin (1870)
-Le Docteur Claude (1879)
-Justice (1889)
-L'amour Dominateur (1896)
Books for children included:
Les Aventures de Romain Kalbris (1869)
Sans famille (1888)
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