Auguste Le Breton

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Auguste Le Breton
Born18 February 1913
Lesneven, Finistère, France
Died31 May 1999(1999-05-31) (aged 86)
Saint-Germain-en-Laye, Yvelines, France
OccupationNovelist, screenwriter
GenreFiction, crime

Auguste Le Breton (born Auguste Monfort 18 February 1913 – 31 May 1999) was a French novelist who wrote primarily about the

Le clan des siciliens. He wrote the dialogue for the noir film Bob le flambeur
.

Biography

Auguste Le Breton was born in

remand homes frequently. When he lived in Paris, his haunts were disreputable places of the capital, bars and gambling dens. He even spent time with the gangs of Montmartre, acquainting himself with the crime world. He himself, however, was never involved in any serious crime. There can be no doubt that this semi-criminal life of his had a vast influence on his writings, enlivening them with the accuracy that only experience can bring.[3]

Rebel and writer

For uncertain reasons, Le Breton joined the

Resistance medal.[3]

Involvement in the Resistance marked a metamorphosis in Le Breton's life. Perhaps spurred on by his selfless actions during the war, he began to write. A few years later he married, another pivotal point in his life. Le Breton stated that he would write books for children, if he had any. He planned to write a memoir of his life as an orphan, his rootless childhood, the life of penury and visiting disreputable places like bars and brothels.

Autobiography

When Le Breton's daughter Mary-Yvonne was born, he lived up to his words and wrote his autobiography. Entitled Les Hauts Murs, the book was successful. It was a poignant book, filled with anecdotal episodes from Le Breton's time in the orphanages, remand homes and prisons. Le Breton described in detail his friends and acquaintances from the bars, brothels and gangs of Paris.[3]

Style

Le Breton's works are known for their directness of style and story. His other strength was his mastery of language, especially of French slang. This gave his works, most of which were about criminals, an authenticity and accuracy.[3]

Film adaptations

Le Breton wrote 77 novels, many of which were adapted into films.[4] His books were mostly about low life. Although his tales lack plot expertise, his characters and unique language made them hugely popular. They were made into successful films like Du rififi chez les hommes[2] (Rififi means 'fisticuffs' or 'fight'). The film was directed by Jules Dassin[2] and starred Jean Servais as Tony,[2] the mastermind of a daring jewel heist.[3]

Filmography

Screenwriter

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Douglas (1999-06-10). "Auguste Le Breton". the Guardian. Retrieved 2021-03-11.
  2. ^ a b c d Crowther, Bosley (June 6, 1956). "Rififi (1955) Screen: Tough Paris Crime Story; 'Rififi,' About a Jewel Theft, at Fine Arts". The New York Times.
  3. ^ a b c d e Johnson, Douglas (10 June 1999). "Auguste Le Breton". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Auguste Le Breton". www.goodreads.com. Retrieved 2021-03-11.

External links

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