The mirror of our sorrows

The third in Lemaitre's series of novels beginning with "See You in the Afterlife" (winner of the Grand Prix at the Prix Goncourt 2013).

Family secrets, romances, heroes that no one notices, villains who are seen as heroes, small desires and great ambitions, burlesque and tragedy – in short, the life of À La Française.

Every nation has moments in its history of which it is ashamed. For the French, the 1940 campaign is certainly one of them. Greatest writers, like Jean-Paul Sartre, have explored this theme. Lemaitre couldn't resist it either. And while his account of this period isn't dripping with venom—it's humorous and warm in places—it doesn't lose its power for that reason.

April 1940. In Paris, everyone is talking about the imminent German invasion, but most French people are busy with their own affairs. Young teacher Louise Belmont is trying to recover from a sexual scandal in which she was involved. Mr. Jules is feeding customers at his restaurant. Charming con artist Désiré Migault, who wasn't always called that and has already been a lawyer, pilot, and surgeon, is now trying his hand at the Ministry of Information. Resourceful corporal Landrade is using his time in the army to make deals, while Parisian gendarme Fernand sees the hysterical actions of the authorities as an opportunity to fulfill his beloved wife's dream.

As panic-stricken France descends into chaos and the citizens of Paris flee the Germans, the worst scum—the scoundrels and cowards—rise to the surface. But there are also a few people of good will who refuse to give in to the depravity surrounding them and journey to a special place.

"Pierre Lemaitre's trilogy is a moving historical fresco revealing the truth about the difficult interwar period."
"Le Monde des Livres"

"The interwar trilogy initiated by 'See You in the Afterlife' has just reached its magnificent conclusion!"
"La Croix"

"We end our journey through the interwar period with the Prix Goncourt winner in a year of disaster – fortunately, we find ourselves in good company again and we have no shortage of energy!"
"Le Monde"