Synopsis
'I am sixteen. I am as old as the century'
It is 1916. Vincent is sixteen, on the brink of manhood. Vincent is aristocratic and privileged, frequenting the salons of Paris while France is at war and the city almost deserted of men. In that brutal summer, Vincent's beauty and precocity captivate two men: Marcel, some thirty years his senior, a writer and celebrated socialite; and Arthur, the twenty-one year old son of one of the servants, who is now a soldier at the front. Both relationships become love affairs of a kind - of the mind or of the body. Vincent intuitively tries to keep his passions separate, but over the weeks of indolent Parisian summer and far-off war, confidences are made, absences endured, secrets revealed. All of these men will suffer, and Vincent will lose the last vestiges of his childhood innocence. In the Absence of Men is a stunning first novel: in its daring in representing Marcel Proust as a character, in the beauty of its prose and in its delicacy of feeling. It is a quite remarkable debut.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
From Booklist
During one week in 1916, 16-year-old Vincent de l'Etoile befriends the greatest writer in France and experiences the first great love of his life. Fortunately, he keeps a journal and writes letters, is an exquisitely limpid stylist (kudos to Wynne's translation), and considers himself too young to have morals. His new friend is Marcel Proust, then 45 and known to be attracted to very young men. Vincent's first lover is Arthur Vales, a soldier on leave to see his mother, a servant in the de l'Etoile household. Vincent meets Proust in the well-trafficked cafes in the afternoon and welcomes Arthur to his bed every night. After the week, Proust goes to take care of family business in Illiers, and Arthur returns to Verdun, where he is soon killed in action. This extremely romantic scenario concludes with a plunge into bathos, but the writing is so beautiful, and the characters are so convincing, that Besson's first novel seems to be the homosexual cousin of Hemingway's Farewell to Arms. Ray Olson
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Other Popular Editions of the Same Title
Search results for In the Absence of Men
Seller Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: Greenworld Books, Arlington, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. Fast Free Shipping â" Good condition book with a firm cover and clean, readable pages. Shows normal use, including some light wear or limited notes highlighting, yet remains a dependable copy overall. Supplemental items like CDs or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # GWV.0099437899.G
Stock Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: ThriftBooks-Atlanta, AUSTELL, GA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. No Jacket. May have limited writing in cover pages. Pages are unmarked. ~ ThriftBooks: Read More, Spend Less. Seller Inventory # G0099437899I4N00
Seller Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: Blue Vase Books, Interlochen, MI, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Condition: good. The item shows wear from consistent use, but it remains in good condition and works perfectly. All pages and cover are intact including the dust cover, if applicable . Spine may show signs of wear. Pages may include limited notes and highlighting. May NOT include discs, access code or other supplemental materials. Seller Inventory # BVV.0099437899.G
Stock Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: Books From California, Simi Valley, CA, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
paperback. Condition: Good. Seller Inventory # mon0003940369
Stock Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: Greener Books, London, United Kingdom
Seller rating 4 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: Used; Good. Ex-Library Copy **SHIPPED FROM UK** We believe you will be completely satisfied with our quick and reliable service. All orders are dispatched as swiftly as possible! Buy with confidence! Greener Books. Seller Inventory # 4969629
Buy Used
US$ 13.86
US$ 21.53 shipping
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Ships from United Kingdom to U.S.A.
Quantity: 1 available
Stock Image
In the Absence of Men
Seller: Toscana Books, AUSTIN, TX, U.S.A.
Seller rating 5 out of 5 stars
Paperback. Condition: new. Excellent Condition.Excels in customer satisfaction, prompt replies, and quality checks. Seller Inventory # Scanned0099437899