Romain Rolland - Stefan Zweig

Romain Rolland - Stefan Zweig: A Biography of a Friendship

Romain Rolland and Stefan Zweig were two of the most important writers of the 20th century. They were also close friends, and their correspondence is a fascinating glimpse into the minds of two of the most creative and influential thinkers of their time.

In this biography, Stefan Zweig paints a vivid portrait of his friend Romain Rolland. He describes Rolland's early life, his literary career, and his political activism. He also discusses Rolland's complex personality and his relationships with other writers, including Zweig himself.

Zweig's biography is a moving and insightful tribute to a great writer and a great friend. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of literature or the lives of great artists.

Rolland and Zweig: A Friendship of Equals

Romain Rolland and Stefan Zweig were two of the most important writers of their time. They were both Nobel Prize laureates, and their work has been translated into dozens of languages. They were also close friends, and their correspondence is a fascinating glimpse into the minds of two of the most creative and influential thinkers of the 20th century.

Rolland and Zweig first met in 1911, and they quickly became friends. They shared a love of literature, music, and art, and they were both deeply committed to social justice. They also had a deep respect for each other's work, and they often exchanged ideas and critiques.

Their friendship was not without its challenges. Rolland and Zweig had different political views, and they sometimes disagreed on important issues. However, they were always able to overcome their differences and maintain their friendship.

Rolland's Life and Work

Romain Rolland was born in Clamecy, France, in 1866. He studied at the École Normale Supérieure in Paris, and he began his literary career in the 1890s. He wrote novels, plays, essays, and operas. His most famous work is the novel "Jean-Christophe," which won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1915.

Rolland was a prolific writer, and his work covered a wide range of topics. He wrote about love, death, war, and peace. He also wrote about the role of the artist in society, and he was a strong advocate for social justice.

Rolland was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a pacifist, but he also supported the French government during World War I. He was a socialist, but he also had a deep appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. He was a man of great passion, and he was often criticized for his emotionalism.

However, there is no doubt that Rolland was a great writer. His work is full of beauty, insight, and passion. He was a major figure in 20th-century literature, and his work will continue to be read and enjoyed for generations to come.

Zweig's Life and Work

Stefan Zweig was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1881. He studied at the University of Vienna, and he began his literary career in the early 1900s. He wrote novels, short stories, essays, and biographies. His most famous work is the novella "The Royal Game," which was published in 1941.

Zweig was a prolific writer, and his work covered a wide range of topics. He wrote about love, death, war, and peace. He also wrote about the role of the artist in society, and he was a strong advocate for human rights.

Zweig was a complex and contradictory figure. He was a pacifist, but he also supported the Austrian government during World War I. He was a Jew, but he also had a deep appreciation for German culture. He was a man of great passion, and he was often criticized for his emotionalism.

However, there is no doubt that Zweig was a great writer. His work is full of beauty, insight, and passion. He was a major figure in 20th-century literature, and his work will continue to be read and enjoyed for generations to come.

The End of a Friendship

Romain Rolland and Stefan Zweig remained friends until the end of their lives. Rolland died in 1944, and Zweig died in 1942. Their friendship was a testament to the power of literature and the human spirit.

In this biography, Stefan Zweig has written a moving and insightful tribute to his friend Romain Rolland. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the history of literature or the lives of great artists.