Mother of Pearl by Anatole France (1892)

This is France-as-antiquarian at another high point. The first group of stories deal with the times surrounding first of all the birth of Christ and secondly middle ages developments in sainthood. Here his voice is sometimes folkloric and always playful and often redolent of "the real thing". The second, and larger, group are stories in the byways of the French Revolution, with portraits of minor aristocrats, their adherents and tormentors tussling in harsh and uncertain conditions which bred deception and secrecy. Each piece is not so interested in narrative fullness so much as the sketch-like capturing of moments in time. They can feel a little unended and unfinished as a result. France's tone is his own alone; there is no mistaking him, and there is a claim to originality in that. I think the reason that his popularity has dimmed from its original dizzy heights is that he is not a sensualist - heavy atmosphere and rich description are not his stock. Rather it is a light touch on people and their situations, examined with wise amusement and a wry sentimentality which occasionally descends to a deeper pathos. This mixture, combined with what would now be seen as esoteric subject matter, consign him to unpopularity. I too find it unaffecting but there is no doubt that the clear air of it is refreshing and shouldn't be underestimated.