A magical first novel by a talented young French author recreates Proust’s upper-middle-class Paris during WWI.
Few established novelists would dare to write a novel in which Proust appears as a character. Fewer still would have the nerve to invent love letters written by Proust to a 16-year-old boy. For a first novelist to set himself this challenge and succeed is remarkable.
Paris 1916. Vincent is 16 and approaching manhood very much “in the absence of men” with every able-bodied young man away at the front. In his relationship with the soldier-son of one of his parent’s servants, he explores his sexuality. His platonic relationship with the middle-aged Jewish writer Marcel Proust stimulates an intelligence and sophistication remarkable in an adolescent. With both he enters a world of love, both erotic and platonic. The book is as remarkable an act of homage to a great writer as Jean Rhys’ Wide Sargasso Seas was to Charlotte Bronte.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Philippe Besson lives in France. This is his first novel.
“A superb novel, brilliant, inventive and audacious... exquisite and cruel, deliciously written.” – Le Monde
“From time to time... first novels appear which announce, without hesitation, without dispute, the arrival of a real writer... Such is the experience of reading Philippe Besson’s In the Absence of Men.” – Magazine Litteraire
A magical first novel by a talented young French author recreates Proust?s upper-middle-class Paris during WWI.
Few established novelists would dare to write a novel in which Proust appears as a character. Fewer still would have the nerve to invent love letters written by Proust to a 16-year-old boy. For a first novelist to set himself this challenge and succeed is remarkable.
Paris 1916. Vincent is 16 and approaching manhood very much ?in the absence of men? with every able-bodied young man away at the front. In his relationship with the soldier-son of one of his parent?s servants, he explores his sexuality. His platonic relationship with the middle-aged Jewish writer Marcel Proust stimulates an intelligence and sophistication remarkable in an adolescent. With both he enters a world of love, both erotic and platonic. The book is as remarkable an act of homage to a great writer as Jean Rhys? Wide Sargasso Seas was to Charlotte Bronte.
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
Seller: World of Books (was SecondSale), Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Hardback. Condition: Good. Paris 1916- Vincent is 16, 'as old as the century'. With almost every able-bodied young man away at the front, Vincent is approaching manhood very much 'in the absence of men'.In his relationship with the soldier son of one of his parent's servants, who subsequently dies on the batlefront, he explores his sexuality; his platonic relationship with the middle-aged Jewish writer, Marcel Proust, stimulates an intelligence and sophistication remarkable in an adolescent; and with both he enters a world of love, and the final loss of what remains of his childhood innocence. Set in the very recognizable world of Proust's Paris, 'In the Absence of Men' is a remarkable act of homage to a great writer. Seller Inventory # 00104523450
Seller: -OnTimeBooks-, Phoenix, AZ, U.S.A.
Condition: good. A copy that has been read, remains in good condition. All pages are intact, and the cover is intact. The spine and cover show signs of wear. Pages can include notes and highlighting and show signs of wear, and the copy can include "From the library of" labels or previous owner inscriptions. 100% GUARANTEE! Shipped with delivery confirmation, if you're not satisfied with purchase please return item! Ships via media mail. Seller Inventory # OTV.0434009695.G
Seller: World of Books Inc, Montgomery, IL, U.S.A.
Hardback. Condition: Good. Paris 1916- Vincent is 16, 'as old as the century'. With almost every able-bodied young man away at the front, Vincent is approaching manhood very much 'in the absence of men'.In his relationship with the soldier son of one of his parent's servants, who subsequently dies on the batlefront, he explores his sexuality; his platonic relationship with the middle-aged Jewish writer, Marcel Proust, stimulates an intelligence and sophistication remarkable in an adolescent; and with both he enters a world of love, and the final loss of what remains of his childhood innocence. Set in the very recognizable world of Proust's Paris, 'In the Absence of Men' is a remarkable act of homage to a great writer. Seller Inventory # CIN0434009695G
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Hardback. Condition: Good. The book has been read but remains in clean condition. All pages are intact and the cover is intact. Some minor wear to the spine. Seller Inventory # GOR004084288
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: WorldofBooks, Goring-By-Sea, WS, United Kingdom
Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Paris 1916- Vincent is 16, 'as old as the century'. With almost every able-bodied young man away at the front, Vincent is approaching manhood very much 'in the absence of men'.In his relationship with the soldier son of one of his parent's servants, who subsequently dies on the batlefront, he explores his sexuality; his platonic relationship with the middle-aged Jewish writer, Marcel Proust, stimulates an intelligence and sophistication remarkable in an adolescent; and with both he enters a world of love, and the final loss of what remains of his childhood innocence. Set in the very recognizable world of Proust's Paris, 'In the Absence of Men' is a remarkable act of homage to a great writer. The book has been read, but is in excellent condition. Pages are intact and not marred by notes or highlighting. The spine remains undamaged. Seller Inventory # GOR001609188
Quantity: 1 available
Seller: Better World Books Ltd, Dunfermline, United Kingdom
Condition: Good. Former library copy. Pages intact with minimal writing/highlighting. The binding may be loose and creased. Dust jackets/supplements are not included. Includes library markings. Stock photo provided. Product includes identifying sticker. Better World Books: Buy Books. Do Good. Seller Inventory # 41200138-75
Quantity: 1 available