Henri-Alban Fournier (1886-1914) adopted the pen-name Alain-Fournier. He was a schoolmaster's son from Central France, but his own academic performance was not outstanding, and after doing military service, he began to establish himself as a writer.

"Le Grand Meaulnes" is his only completed published novel. It is narrated by the friend of the eponymous hero, and its setting at a school in central France would certainly be one that was familiar to the author!

Although the book contains no overtly supernatural elements, it is infused with a haunting, dreamlike feel, recounting a visit paid by the boys to a costume ball at a mysterious chateau, and Meaulnes' attempts to find both the chateau and the girl at the ball with whom he fell in love (who is called Yvonne - the same name as a girl with whom the author had a doomed love affair).

In an ironic twist, Meaulnes does, eventually, discover her whereabouts. In this, art does not mirror life, as the two of them marry - but there is no fairytale ending even if there is an element of wish fulfilment, as she dies giving birth to their daughter in his absence - the child being raised by the narrator and his wife.

There was to be no happy ending for the author either - he rejoined the military, and perished in the battle of the Meuse.

Although "The Lost Domain" is the most frequent English translation of the title, it is often, and perhaps wisely, left in the original.

More Info: en.wikipedia.org