Livre de Nicolas Sarkozy sur la prison : "On est entre Victor Hugo et Usain Bolt"

This novel, often referred to as 'In Search of Lost Time' in English, is a comprehensive work that delves into the narrator's memories and experiences from late 19th-century and early 20th-century high-society France. It is renowned for its exploration of involuntary memory, as exemplified by the famous 'episode of the madeleine'. The work is structured into seven volumes: 'Du côté de chez Swann', 'À l’ombre des jeunes filles en fleur', 'Le Côté de Guermantes', 'Sodome et Gomorrhe', 'La Prisonnière', 'Albertine disparue', and 'Le Temps retrouvé'. Proust began writing the novel in 1906 and continued until his death in 1922, with the last three volumes published posthumously.

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.

Published in 1942, 'L'étranger' follows Meursault, a man who lives in Algiers and is characterized by his emotional detachment and indifference to societal norms. The novel is divided into two parts, the first detailing Meursault's life before he kills an unnamed Arab man, and the second exploring the aftermath of this event. The story delves into themes of existentialism, the absurdity of human existence, and the tensions between French colonizers and native Algerians. Camus's writing style, marked by its sparse and detached nature, emphasizes the existential outlook on life and the meaningless universe that Meursault inhabits.

Written by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, 'Le Petit Prince' is a timeless novella that follows the story of a young prince from a small asteroid who travels to various planets, encountering eccentric characters that symbolize different aspects of human nature. The narrative, told through the perspective of a stranded pilot, delves into profound philosophical themes such as innocence and experience, love and loss, and the absurdity of adult life. The little prince's journey highlights the importance of love, relationships, and the inner values that define our existence, emphasizing that 'one sees clearly only with the heart'.