Der Kinderkreuzzug

Name: Der Kinderkreuzzug
Author: Marcel Schwob

By Marcel Schwob

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French Literature History - Medieval/Middle Ages

About This Book

A series of short, fragmentary first-person narratives and scenes follows barefoot, cross-bearing children who believe they are bound for Jerusalem. Voices include a wandering goliard and a leper among other observers, blending devotional diction, grotesque detail, and lyrical imagery to evoke faith, innocence, and suffering. Episodes juxtapose mythic pilgrimage, beggar life, and spectral visions, shifting between tenderness and menace while probing religious yearning, corporeal decay, and the fragile line between holy intention and tragic delusion.

About the Author

Marcel Schwob

Marcel Schwob was a French symbolist writer and translator, known for his innovative narrative style and exploration of themes such as identity and the nature of reality. His works often blend fiction with philosophical musings, creating a unique literary experience. Among his notable titles is "Vies imaginaires," a collection of biographical sketches of fictional characters that reflects his fascination with the interplay between truth and imagination. Schwob's writing is characterized by its lyrical prose and deep psychological insight, making him a significant figure in late 19th-century literature.