first appeared in the periodical
Le Créditbetween December 1848 and January 1849. The text is the third in a triptych of Sand novels with a pastoral theme, following
La Mare au diable(1846) and
François le Champi(1847), all grouped by Sand under the title “Veillées du chanvreur”. In the 1848 preface to
La Petite Fadette, Sand presents the text as having been narrated by this titular
chanvreur[hemp-beater], whose narration draws on the traditional, rustic nature of the countryside of Sand’s native Berry region, and frequently employs local dialect terms. After Sand’s death the “Veillées” became renowned as texts intended for children, but when they were first published all three received critical acclaim, with Charles Augustin Sainte-Beuve declaring…
1478 words
Citation: Illingworth, James. "La Petite Fadette". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 30 August 2017 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=35564, accessed 23 April 2024.]
