One of the first novels of this Swiss novelist who rose to fame with his first novel, “The Truth about the Harry Quebert case”. The novel tells the story of some happenings at the end of the Second World War. A group of soldiers from the English secret service are ready to infiltrate Nazi territory and attempt to collect information or carry out sabotage. The main protagonist is Paul-Emile, nicknamed Palo. He belongs to a French Catholic family. His father is alone, a widower, who goes to daily Mass each morning to pray for his son. Another protagonist is Claude who had left the catholic seminary to fight in the World War. They talk about the war, God, faith, death and beyond. The author gives descriptions of some immoral scenes that are unnecessary for the development of the plot.
E.E. (España, 2015)
Throughout the novel there is a repeated attempt to ridicule certain attitudes of the seminarian by attributing some behaviour which is definitely incongruent with his theoretical training. The events of the war are described briefly and precisely, just an excuse to underline the dialogues and attitudes of the protagonists. What is central for the author is more their reaction to the war than the war itself He handles the period well and the story is alive and interesting until the end without significant ups and downs. There is some very good writing, good understanding of the times and a number of unforgettable characters.
J.P. (España, 2016)