In the Absence of Men: Philippe Besson (Vintage Editions)
£6.60£9.50 (-31%)
FROM THE BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF LIE WITH ME
It is the summer of 1916 and, with German Zeppelins on the skyline, the men of Paris are off at war. For Vincent, the sixteen-year-old son of a prestigious family, the tranquillity of the city sits at odds with the salons and soirees he attends. But, after an electrifying encounter with the enigmatic writer, Marcel P, draws Vincent’s desires out into the light, his ever-riskier liaisons with a young solider begin to shape Vincent’s future.
Translated by Frank Wynne
‘A short, bold and original novel which beautifully captures the romance and amorality of gilded youth’ Independent
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Additional information
| Publisher | Vintage Classics, 1st edition (3 Sept. 2020) |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Paperback | 192 pages |
| ISBN-10 | 1784876364 |
| ISBN-13 | 978-1784876364 |
| Dimensions | 10.8 x 1.52 x 17.78 cm |
by Kenneth Loong
A profound, yet simplistic, analysis of love, seen through the eyes of sixteen-year-old Vincent d’Etoile. The inclusion of Marcel Proust in the novel is fascinating, adding literary cameos to the scenes already steeped in decadence. One may say: how can a sixteen year old possibly possess a mind like Vincent? I say: anything is possible in Vincent’s world. The object is not the end, it is the means through which one connects to the intrinsic beauty of life, where all dimensions and boundaries disappear. My only regret is that my current language ability does not allow me to read the book in its original French text. This is a fantastic book – highly recommended.
by Kindle Customer
A beautiful story you have to read about love and the everlasting results it has. I would highly recommend it.
by Mark
This book was brilliant and I just couldn’t stop reading it, I ended up staying up late so I could Finnish it.
This book stayed in my mind days after.
I want more books by this author translated into English.
by TKDBoi
I purchased this book after reading another of Beson’s books, lie with me. This book follows a moderately similar format in that it is told in two parts but this time along a liner timeline rather than in two different time periods. The first part focuses on the main character’s burgeoning relationships, one physical and intensely passionate, the other intellectual. This part explores the rush of new love and friendship in a tender and well written way (although I did get a bit fed up of the main character stating his name and age with alarming regularity). The second section switches, not only thematically from new love to separation, but also structurally from first person narrative to a series af letters written between the characters. It is here that the book grabs you by the heartstrings and refuses to let go by delivering,first a revaluation about one character that, while obvious given the books setting, is presented in such a skillful way that the heartbreak feels utterly real. From here, just when you think the book has finished with you, it delivers a truly shocking twist regarding the second character. Based on my experience with these two books by beson, I thoroughly hope more of his wonderful work is translated to English
by Amazon Customer
The first half drags. Story picks up in the second half.
How many times must the author say ‘i am sixteen’!!!
by Will
Pretentious yet dull this novella hits all the right cliches whilst managing to say nothing profound at all. One to avoid.
by Monika
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