Malevil
Post-apocalyptic novel about rebuilding society after nuclear war.
Malevil, a science fiction novel by French author Robert Merle, was published in 1972. A film adaptation, directed by Christian de Chalonge, followed in 1981, featuring actors Michel Serrault, Jacques Dutronc, Jacques Villeret, and Jean-Louis Trintignant.
The story is set in rural France near the end of the twentieth century. Its main character, Emmanuel Comte, is a former school director who now works as a farmer and landowner. He also owns a tourist attraction: an old castle named Malevil, after a nearby village. Comte is a driven and respected individual, skilled in diplomacy and leadership.
When a nuclear war unexpectedly breaks out, Emmanuel and several friends happen to be in the castle’s wine cellar. They survive, but find the surrounding area reduced to ash and rubble. Under Emmanuel’s guidance, the group begins to rebuild. Over time, they encounter other survivors in nearby farms and villages, and a new agrarian society slowly takes shape. Nature also begins to recover. However, not all newcomers are peaceful; some bring death and destruction. A major challenge for this emerging community is defending itself against a theocratic dictatorship that, with the help of a marauding gang, has seized control of a neighboring village.
- Type
- Novel
- Author
- Robert Merle
- Year published
- 1972
- Country
- France
- Genre
- Science fiction
- Adaptation
- 1981 film directed by Christian de Chalonge
Lore & Background
The story takes place in rural France in the late twentieth century. The protagonist, Emmanuel Comte, is a former school director turned farmer and landowner, who also owns a tourist attraction—an old castle called Malevil. By chance, Emmanuel and several friends are in the castle's wine cellar during an unexpected nuclear war outbreak. The survivors find their surroundings reduced to ashes and rubble and begin to rebuild under Emmanuel's leadership. They later discover other survivors in nearby farmsteads and villages, and an agrarian society slowly reforms. Some newcomers bring death and destruction. A major challenge is fending off a new theocratic dictatorship that has taken over a neighboring village with the help of a marauding gang.
Reader's Guide
Malevil is significant as a French science fiction novel that explores post-apocalyptic survival and societal reconstruction. Its 1981 film adaptation brought the story to a wider audience. The novel focuses on themes of leadership, community, and the threat of authoritarianism in a collapsed world. It remains a notable entry in the genre for its detailed depiction of rebuilding from catastrophe.
Did You Know?
- Malevil was written by French writer Robert Merle in 1972.
- The novel was adapted into a 1981 film directed by Christian de Chalonge.
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