Reviews tagging 'Murder'

In the Absence of Men by Philippe Besson

2 reviews

james1star's review against another edition

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emotional sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

‘Without the war, without this magnificent summer, this absence of men, would we ever have met?’

Since finishing ‘Lie With Me’ (still my favourite book I’ve ever read) last year, I wanted to read anything and everything by Philippe Besson but I came across a problem… I can’t read French… and only LWM and ‘In the Absence of Men’ have been translated into English… so I tried to pace myself with getting to this book but finally I’ve finished it. And oh my was it worth the wait. I wouldn’t say it’s close to being as great as LWM but it’s certainly an incredible read, one I will come back and highly recommend. 

The novel is split into three ‘books’ (parts would be a more apt term given their (and the the total) length) all set in 1916’s France. The first details an eventful week in the life of our sixteen-year-old main character Vincent as he befriends the famous writer Marcel - it’s likely Proust - in one of Paris’s salons deserted of men during the middle of WW1 and begins a relationship with the soldier-son of his family’s governess Arthur who’s on leave from the Front. Both encounters grow in importance as the week progresses and it’s apparent they’ll impact Vincent’s life for ever more. The second section consists of letters shared between Vincent and Arthur and Vincent and Marcel as each pair are separated. To finish, Besson places Vincent and the previously little-mentioned character of Blanche (Arthur’s mum) in a dialogue setting which was just incredible. There is more to the story but I want to avoid spoilers and by listing the TWs I would give some of them away but be aware war and death are recurring themes. 

Like LWM the writing is once again exquisite and so beautifully heartbreakingly raw and honest. Everything comes from the heart and has immense meaning - I can’t say for certain but I believe Besson must do many rounds of editing because his passages are so razor sharp and concise that say a lot but with little effort, it’s truly a delight to read, I also have to applaud the translator Frank Wynn. There were many many parts underlined and stared in my copy, it’s super quotable and just in general a real joy to read this book. Our three main characters (most of all Vincent) are well developed and complex, they’re realised and you can’t help but just want the best for them… oh how I wish I could read an alternate version of this story. Blanche’s part at the end was an incredible addition which I loved. Again, the reality of growing up queer is explored here, not to the extent of LWM but there’s still some relatable parts that spoke to me. 

I think some part of me finds some discomfort in the fact of Vincent being sixteen and having these experiences and going through these things. I don’t see anything particularly predatory or the like in Marcel’s relationship and theirs is only friendship and similarly with Arthur but it is sexual. I can understand Vincent’s maturity for his age and the deeper connection he has with Arthur so I get it but still there’s a slight uncomfortable feeling I can’t quite shift. If I were to have read a book about a female sixteen year old having a sexual relationship with a male twenty one year old I think I would’ve viewed it differently with more apprehension so maybe there’s a double standard there? Quite possibly… I’m not too sure. I think it’s something I’ll ponder on. With that being said I do think their love is still very pure and deeply important. 

I think I’ll add some quotes on my second reading. In the meantime can someone please translate more of his books… please. 
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pigeonpersona's review against another edition

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emotional relaxing sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Phillipe Besson's debut novel is a great one! I'm very glad I read this, each line is well thought out and the whole story contains beautiful prose and characterizations. This would be a great novel to just fill a day with. I'm looking forward to reading his other works.
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