French Tales of Cataclysms

The term “cataclysm” is defined as a large-scale, violent event in the natural world, or a sudden and equally violent political or social upheaval. Such concepts run throughout the history of the French roman scientifique-a genre that some might call proto-sf-from the 18th century to today.

In this thematic collection we have gathered ten remarkable short stories by J.-H. Rosny Aîné, Camille Debans, René Pujol, Pierre Véron, Alfred Franklin, etc., published between 1802 and 1928, plus two full-length novel by Maurice Leblanc-the father of Arsène Lupin-and Colonel Royet, published respectively in 1920 and 1928.

These stories are highly original, each presenting a cataclysm more bizarre and complex than the next, each highlighting the creativity with which humanity fights for survival when faced with terrifying upheaval. Earthquakes, floods, extradimensional incursions, cosmic perils, bursts of gamma rays, the disappearance of vital metals, all are unique, albeit within the framework provided by the rich tradition of roman scientifique, and provide a striking illustration of the imaginative scope of French fantasy literature.