The article discusses the historiography of the 20th century French novelist Julien Gracq. It describes Gracq's reflections on the nature of history in his fiction writing, the critical interpretation of his writing by literary critic Vincent Descombes, and Gracq's writings on the notions of temporality, the nature of change, and momentous events. Other subjects under discussion include Gracq's understanding of determinism and its relation to social development, the relation of his fictional writings to sociological and philosophical writings, and Gracq's contribution to the discipline of historicism.