Robert Merle Books in Order

Robert Merle is a French novelist born in Tebessa, Algeria, a French colony at the time. In 1918, he and his family relocated to France, where he would begin a distinguished writing career. Merle is known for his versatility, having won the prestigious Prix Goncourt for his novel Week-end à Zuydcoote. His Fortune de France series, comprising 13 historical novels, is particularly notable for its vivid recreation of 16th and 17th century France, told through the eyes of a fictional Protestant doctor and spy. Written in the period's French, the series posed significant translation challenges. Merle's novels, such as Un animal doué de la raison and Malevil, have been translated into English and adapted into films, including the Cold War satire Day of the Dolphin.