René Depestre, éternel exilé : René Depestre : penser Haïti depuis Cuba

Written in 1941 and published secretly in German-occupied Paris in 1942, 'Le Silence de la mer' tells the story of an old man and his niece who show resistance against a German officer occupying their house by not speaking to him. The officer, a former composer, is disillusioned by the Nazi propaganda and eventually leaves to fight on the Eastern Front. The novella is a powerful allegory of non-violent resistance and a critique of the barbarity of the Nazi regime.

Published in 1857, 'Madame Bovary' is a seminal work of literary realism that tells the story of Emma Bovary, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who marries Charles Bovary, a dull and unambitious doctor. Emma's life is marked by boredom, romantic fantasies, and a series of ill-fated love affairs with men like Rodolphe and Léon. Her inability to distinguish between her romantic ideals and the harsh realities of her life leads to financial ruin, public scandal, and ultimately, her tragic demise. The novel is renowned for its masterful writing, detailed psychological insights, and its critique of bourgeois provincial life.