Mirror of our Sorrows

In Pierre Lemaitre's novel "April, 1940," Louise Belmont runs naked down the boulevard du Montparnasse as France descends into chaos during the Phoney War. She navigates this period alongside her fellow citizens, including Maginot Line conscripts, a bistro-owner, and a confidence trickster, as the looming threat of German occupation uncovers long-buried secrets and makes for strange bedfellows. The novel is an incandescent tale that veers from the tragic to the burlesque.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 496 pages
Publication date: 18 January 2024
Publisher: Quercus Publishing

In the spring of 1940, amidst the chaos of the Phoney War, Louise Belmont, a young woman from Belgium, finds herself running naked down the iconic boulevard du Montparnasse. This unexpected and distressing scene is a reflection of the tumultuous times she has just witnessed as France, gripped by fear of a new European conflict, descends into anarchy. Determined to understand the events that unfolded, Louise embarks on a journey that takes her deep into the heart of the madness. Alongside her fellow citizens, including Maginot Line conscripts Raoul and Gabriel, bistro-owner Monsieur Jules, and confidence trickster Désiré Migault, Louise navigates the immense upheaval that envelopes their lives. The looming threat of German occupation uncovers long-buried secrets and forces people from different walks of life to form unexpected alliances. As one extraordinary twist of fate follows another, Pierre Lemaitre, in his captivating novel, chronicles the fall of a nation crushed by circumstance. The final installment in his award-winning trilogy, "The Fall of a Nation," is a searing tale that oscillates between tragedy and dark humor. Translated from the French by Frank Wynne, this powerful work offers a unique perspective on a pivotal period in history, reminding us of the resilience and humanity of ordinary people in the face of extraordinary adversity.

Weight: 342g
Dimension: 197 x 130 x 33 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781529416916