French writer Francois Mauriac is one of the most prominent figures in the literature of the 20th century. A Nobel Prize winner, he created his own special, Mauriacian, type of novel. Continuing the tradition established by O. de Balzac and E. Zola, Mauriac explores the subtlest nuances of human psychology. In the center of the narrative of most of his works are relationships within the family. Life constantly tests Mauriac’s heroes for strength, and few of them withstand these tests with honor.

“The Secret of the Frontenac Family” is Mauriac’s softest and most lyrical novel, a kind of requiem for special family foundations that have evolved over more than a dozen years years among the bourgeoisie of the south of France. The 20th century is mercilessly destroying them. The word “family” no longer represents unity of purpose, and self-sacrifice for the good of loved ones becomes ridiculous. This is the story of a very unusual family for France at the beginning of the 20th century. The principles of mutual love, understanding and respect prevail in the family. It is from this that a talented young writer comes out, who has no doubt about his calling. Life will not always be kind to him, but the family values learned in childhood will help him cope with the difficulties, disappointments and defeats of adult life.

“The Road to Nowhere” is a novel about money, more precisely about society, where everything is determined by them, where they rule marriages and love, force friends to betray each other, destroy the soul of a person. It is in this novel that Mauriac, through the mouth of the poet Pierre Costado, declares: “We live in a world where the essence of everything is money.” France shortly before the First World War. The old bourgeois prejudices are still strong in provincial high society, snobbery and double morality still reign there. However, the spirit of change is already in the air, which will mercilessly destroy prejudices. Against this background, the dramatic fate of the family of the “old aristocracy” unfolds, the head of which, having squandered the entire family fortune on mistresses, went bankrupt and committed suicide, leaving his wife and children beggars. Who will break without enduring poverty and shame? Who will grit his teeth and survive difficult times to emerge as a completely new type of businessman - tenacious, cynical and ruthless? And who will find the strength to try to find a different, own path in life?

“The Pharisee” is a novel about the delusions and epiphanies of the powerful and cruel Madame Brigitte Pian. She treacherously interferes in the destinies of the people around her, hiding behind good intentions. Only after repenting does she understand that the main thing in life is love, a blessed gift that saves the soul.