Écrire dans les richesses de sa langue. Paul Berna et Le Cheval sans tête

Abstract

This article, an analytical reading of the novel A Hundred Million Francs, written by Jean Sabran under the pseudonym Paul Berna, first published in 1955, underlines the special place that this work occupies in children's literature.Its faithful representation of the Parisian suburbs in the 1950s is enhanced by an inventive writing style, which, drawing from popular slang of the time, is not however a replica of spoken language. In itself, this writing, which does not correspond to the polished standards expected of children's books at the time, sets A Hundred Million Francs apart.The narration and characters are also not without originality. Within a band of friends is the extraordinary character of Marion, a mix of witch and band leader, far from the figure of traditional femininity in her manners and appearance.As for the classic ingredients in a detective story, they get blended here: the children's troupe games, the cinematographic settings, and the toy horse figure which seems to emerge from a legend, with a touch of childish fabrication.

Keywords

• children’s literature
• gender role
• imagination
• language
• orality
• children’s novel