“People will still be reading this in a hundred years.” — André Gide, Nobel Prize winner, 1945
When literature endures across decades, there’s usually a reason. This tribute explores why Roger Peyrefitte’s Les Amitiés particulières and Jean Delannoy’s film adaptation continue finding new audiences eighty years after publication.
Discover the Story
The Book (1944)
Roger Peyrefitte’s debut novel emerged from wartime France as what critics called a “breath of pure air”, an elegant exploration of forbidden love in a Catholic boarding school that won the Prix Renaudot and influenced French literature.
The Movie (1964)
Twenty years later, director Jean Delannoy brought the story to cinema with remarkable accuracy, creating a visual poem that captured both the beauty and tragedy of Peyrefitte’s vision.
Visual Archive
Film stills, rare book covers, production photos, and critical materials that document the cultural impact of both works across eight decades.
Latest from the Archive
Featured Articles:
The Plot and Themes of Les Amitiés Particulières
Les Amitiés particulières isn’t just a story about forbidden love in a Catholic boarding school. It’s a masterfully constructed exploration of innocence, manipulation, institutional power,
The Historical Context of Les Amitiés Particulières
When Roger Peyrefitte published Les Amitiés particulières in 1944, he wasn’t just telling a story about forbidden love in a Catholic boarding school. He was
Why This Matters
Both the 1944 novel and 1964 film face limited official availability, making cultural preservation more crucial than ever. This non-commercial tribute gathers the visual and critical materials needed to understand why these works continue resonating with new generations seeking authentic explorations of love, beauty, and institutional power.