Antoine Blondin (11 April 1922 – 7 June 1991) was a French writer. He belonged to the literary group called the ''

Hussards A hussar ( , ; hu, huszár, pl, husarz, sh, husar / ) was a member of a class of light cavalry, originating in Central Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. The title and distinctive dress of these horsemen were subsequently widely a ...

''. He was also a sports columnist in '' L'Équipe''. Blondin also wrote under the name Tenorio.

Biography

Blondin was the son of a poet, Germaine Blondin, whose name he took, and of a printer's proof-reader. He earned a degree in philosophy the Sorbonne after studying at the Lycée Louis-le-Grand in Paris and the Lycée Pierre Corneille in Rouen.Lycée Pierre Corneille de Rouen - History
/ref> He became very close to

Roland Laudenbach Roland Laudenbach (20 October 1921 – 9 January 1991) was a French writer, editor, journalist, literary critic and scenarist. He had right-wing political beliefs aligned with the Action Française. After World War II he supported keeping Alge ...

during World War II. He was sent to Germany in 1942 for compulsory war work during the German occupation of World War II.Encres Vagabondes - Memoire of Antoine Blondin by par Claude Chanaud
/ref> The experience inspired his first novel, '' L'Europe buissonnière'', which appeared in 1949. It won the

Prix des Deux Magots The Prix des Deux Magots is a major French literary prize. It is presented to new works, and is generally awarded to works that are more off-beat and less conventional than those that receive the more mainstream Prix Goncourt. The name derives from ...

, named after a literary café in Paris, and brought him the friendship of authors such as Marcel Aymé and Roger Nimier and the philosopher, Jean-Paul Sartre. In 1953, the young critic Bernard Frank dubbed the novelists Roger Nimier,

Jacques Laurent Jacques Laurent or Jacques Laurent-Cély (6 January 1919 – 28 December 2000) was a French writer and journalist. He was born in Paris, the son of a barrister. During World War II, he fought with the Algerian Tirailleurs. Laurent was elect ...

, and Blondin as "les Hussards," a title which stuck. The Hussars were characterized by their shared right-wing literary heritage, youthful irreverence towards leftist intellectuals, and a commitment to "art for art's sake." Blondin's right-wing leanings did not, however, prevent a friendship with the socialist

François Mitterrand François Marie Adrien Maurice Mitterrand (26 October 19168 January 1996) was President of France, serving under that position from 1981 to 1995, the longest time in office in the history of France. As First Secretary of the Socialist Party, he ...

, for whom he later came to vote. His next novels, ''Les Enfants du bon Dieu'' and '' L'Humeur vagabonde'' confirmed a distinctive style which critics placed between Stendhal and Jules Renard. Turns of phrase such as "After the second world war, the trains started moving again. I profited from that by leaving my wife and children" and "I have stayed very thin, and so has my body of work," are exemplary of Blondin's affinity for wordplay and humor. The themes of friendship, bohemianism, and the historical shock of World War II also held a prominent place in his fiction. After publishing the well-received novel '' Un Singe en hiver'', Blondin remained an active journalist, but the death of his best friend Roger Nimier prompted him to largely abandon writing fiction for over a decade. Nonetheless, he won the 1977 Prix Goncourt de la Nouvelle for the short story collection ''Quat'saisons''. Blondin wrote press columns supporting the right in politics. He was a monarchist and wrote for monarchist publications such as ''Aspects de la France'', ''La Nation Française'' and ''Rivarol''. Although he was associated with Action Française intellectuals and the Maurrassian right during the beginning of his career, he distanced himself from politics later in his life. He also wrote sports features for ''L'Équipe'', for which he covered 27 editions of the Tour de France and seven Olympic Games. The Tour de France winner, Bernard Hinault, said: :He never interviews anybody but just records his impressions of what he's seen and what he feels. Sometimes René Fallet was with him. They both love the Tour and, in simple language, they turn it into a modern epic, a troubador's song, a crusade, as they describe its beauty. The most banal event becomes significant to Blondin; he has only to see it and write about it. He raised the status of the Tour by giving it his own cachet; it became a myth to be renewed every year. No matter how predictable the race, he could maintain the interest in it. Blondin was a ''bon vivant'' known for heavy drinking in the Parisian district of Saint-Germain-des-Prés, playing at

bull-fighting Bullfighting is a physical contest that involves a bullfighter attempting to subdue, immobilize, or kill a bull, usually according to a set of rules, guidelines, or cultural expectations. There are several variations, including some forms wh ...

with passing cars and racking up numerous arrests for drunkenness. He chronicled this aspect of his life in the autofictional novel, ''Monsieur Jadis ou L'École du Soir''. He was frequently pursued for unpaid taxes. Pierre Chany said: :He really did owe a lot and, frankly, his situation was becoming serious; we even wondered if he wasn't going to prison. Faced with that, his friends called Maître Bertrand to the rescue. Bertrand managed to organise a summit meeting with the general inspector of taxes - the highest man in his profession, the equivalent of a minister. Full of good will, this man said: :"''Alors'', M. Blondin, I understand that you want to come to terms..." :"Let's come to terms!" Antoine said coldly. :"How much would you be able to put into your account?" :"A tear, ''monsieur''..." Naturally, the man threw him out. It was poor Françoise who had to make another interview to sort it out. A literary prize, for the best sports article, is awarded in his name.Prix Litteraire - The Antoine Blondine Prize
/ref>

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Blondin, Antoine 1922 births 1991 deaths Writers from Paris People affiliated with Action Française Cycling journalists Tour de France journalists Cycling in France Prix des Deux Magots winners Prix Goncourt de la nouvelle recipients Prix Interallié winners Lycée Pierre-Corneille alumni Lycée Louis-le-Grand alumni Burials at Père Lachaise Cemetery 20th-century French novelists 20th-century French male writers French male novelists French male non-fiction writers 20th-century French journalists French World War II forced labourers