Mérimée was at first identified with the Romantic movement, but his
hatred of exaggeration and his cynicism caused him to turn to a simpler
manner. His clear, concise narrative style and his objective manner of
treatment, combined with a grasp of human character, pathos, delicate
analysis, satire and an ability to portray local color and to omit
non-essentials may be said to be his chief characteristics. His test
work is seen in the short stories and in the _nouvelles_.
Important works (the dates refer to the year of publication): _Théâtre
de Clara Gazul_ (1825), _La Jacquerie_ (1828), _Chronique du Règne de
Charles IX_ (1829), _Nouvelles_ (including: _Tamango, Colomba, Vénus
d'Ille_, and other shorter stories; from 1830 to 1841), _Carmen_ (1847),
_Lokis_ (1869), _Dernières Nouvelles_ (1873); besides works on travel,
history, archeology, literature and translations (especially from the
Russian). _L'Enlèvement de la Redoute_ was written in 1829 (for _La
Revue Française_) and _Le Coup de Pistolet_ in 1856 (for _Le Moniteur_).
Edition: Calmann Lévy.
Criticism: Advanced students should consult Lanson, _Histoire de la
littérature française_ (Hachette, Paris); others may consult Wright's
_History of French Literature_ (Oxford Press). Bibliographies may be
found in both of these works, further details can be found in the
special bibliographies published by Lanson and by Thieme.