Scenes of Bohemian Life

Henri Murger (1822-1861) was a French novelist and poet. Born in Paris to a working-class family, Murger left school at 15 to find work in a lawyer's office, writing poems and essays on the side. Discovered by prominent dramatist Étienne de Jouy, Murger gained a reputation as a leading young voice in French literature. Encouraged by Realist critic Champfleury to focus on fiction, Murger found success with Scenes of Bohemian Life (1851), an experimental novel based on his experience as an impoverished Parisian artist. He continued to publish his writing until his death at 38, brought on by recurring health problems exacerbated by a life in poverty. Scenes of Bohemian Life would inspire Puccini's beloved opera La bohème (1896), itself source material for countless films, songs, and musicals.