How did postwar Belgian French-language novels change in setting and style?

Following World War II, French-language Belgian novels underwent significant shifts in both setting and narrative approach, moving away from the regionalism that had previously characterized much of the country's literature.1

Changes in Setting and Style

• Shift in Setting: Postwar novels became notably less regional. Authors frequently chose to set their works in foreign surroundings rather than focusing on local Belgian landscapes.1
• Narrative Style: The focus of the novel shifted toward the detailed analysis of characters' reactions within specific, often contrived, situations, effectively subordinating external action to psychological exploration.1
• Thematic Focus: Many writers, particularly female authors such as Dominique Rolin, centered their work on the complexities of personal relationships. Others, like Henry Bauchau, integrated history, mythology, and psychoanalysis into their narratives.1
• Experimental Forms: While some authors built upon earlier realist traditions, others embraced modernist fictional forms or utilized experimental language and structure to explore themes of family life and personal origins.1