The Foundling's War

After the French defeat in 1940, Jean Arnaud and Palfy hide out at a brothel in Clermont-Ferrand. Jean falls for Claude, a beautiful stranger who brings more serious troubles. They mingle with art smugglers and forgers in occupied Paris, learning to make their way in a world of murky allegiances.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 464 pages
Publication date: 15 March 2022
Publisher: Gallic Books

In the aftermath of French defeat in July 1940, twenty-year-old Jean Arnaud and his ally, the charming conman Palfy, are hiding out at a brothel in Clermont-Ferrand, having narrowly escaped a firing squad. At a military parade, Jean falls for a beautiful stranger, Claude, who will help him forget his adolescent heartbreak but bring far more serious troubles of her own. Having safely reached occupied Paris, the friends mingle with art smugglers and forgers, social climbers, showbiz starlets, bluffers, swindlers, and profiteers, French and German, as Jean learns to make his way in a world of murky allegiances. But beyond the social whirl, the war cannot stay away forever...

In this sequel to the acclaimed novel The Foundling Boy, Michel Deon's hero comes to manhood not through combat but by discovering truths about desire and possession, sex and love, and the nuances that lie between crudely drawn battle lines. Jean Arnaud, now twenty years old, and his companion, the cunning conman Palfy, find themselves seeking refuge at a brothel in Clermont-Ferrand, narrowly escaping a firing squad. During a military parade, Jean's heart is captured by a captivating stranger named Claude, who offers him solace from his past heartbreak but introduces him to more profound challenges. After safely reaching occupied Paris, Jean immerses himself in a world of art smugglers, forgers, social climbers, showbiz starlets, bluffers, swindlers, and profiteers, both French and German. As he navigates this complex network of allegiances, Jean learns to carve his path amidst the murky depths of power and deceit. However, the war, relentless in its pursuit, refuses to be confined to the social sphere. It lingers in the background, casting a shadow over the lives of Jean and his companions, reminding them of the gravity of their circumstances.

Dimension: 177 x 127 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781913547394