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After starting out as a surrealist poet with the group La Main à la Plume during the French Resistance, which he joined at the age of twenty, André Stil turned his attention to the realist novel and short story after the liberation of France. After meeting Louis Aragon, Andre Stil took up the post of secretary-general of the party newspaper, Liberté. With the help of Aragon, Stil published his first novel, with the “politically committed” title Le mot “mineur”, camarades... (“The Word 'Coalminer,' Comrade”). His most famous books were soon to follow, including the trilogy Le premier choc. Au château d’eau, translated as “The First Clash,” which was awarded the Stalin Prize. La question du bonheur est poséée (“The question of happiness is raised”) is one of his most compelling works. André Stil used to say that that life’s ups and downs, tempering somewhat the optimism of youth, served as a source of inspiration. One thing is certain: this author was well versed in the struggles of writing. Born in a mining region, Andre Stil belonged to the working class before going on to become a well-known author. He makes frequent references to his humble beginnings in his books, and remained faithful to the working class all his life.