About the book
Vincent comes of age in Paris in the summer of 1916.
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 stillness of the city sits at odds with the candlelit salons he attends at night.
Then an electrifying encounter with the enigmatic writer, Marcel P, draws Vincent’s desires out into the light, while his ever-riskier liaisons with a young solider begin to shape his future.
As the First World War tightens its grip, In the Absence of Men captures the urgency of youth and the fragility of love in a world on the brink of catastrophe.
'A short, bold and original novel which beautifully captures the romance and amorality of gilded youth' Independent
Elegant novellas-in-translation, VINTAGE EDITIONS celebrate the audacity and ambition of the written word, transporting readers to wherever in the world literary innovation may be found.
Editions of In the Absence of Men
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781529949094
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781784876364
- EBook
- ISBN 9781446485293
Read an Excerpt
Vincent comes of age in Paris in the summer of 1916.
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 stillness of the city sits at odds with the candlelit salons he attends at night.
Then an electrifying encounter with the enigmatic writer, Marcel P, draws Vincent’s desires out into the light, while his ever-riskier liaisons with a young solider begin to shape his future.
As the First World War tightens its grip, In the Absence of Men captures the urgency of youth and the fragility of love in a world on the brink of catastrophe.
'A short, bold and original novel which beautifully captures the romance and amorality of gilded youth' Independent
Elegant novellas-in-translation, VINTAGE EDITIONS celebrate the audacity and ambition of the written word, transporting readers to wherever in the world literary innovation may be found.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is In the Absence of Men about?
Vincent comes of age in Paris in the summer of 1916.
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 stillness of the city sits at odds with the candlelit salons he attends at night.
Then an electrifying encounter with the enigmatic writer, Marcel P, draws Vincent’s desires out into the light, while his ever-riskier liaisons with a young solider begin to shape his future.
As the First World War tightens its grip, In the Absence of Men captures the urgency of youth and the fragility of love in a world on the brink of catastrophe.
'A short, bold and original novel which beautifully captures the romance and amorality of gilded youth' Independent
Elegant novellas-in-translation, VINTAGE EDITIONS celebrate the audacity and ambition of the written word, transporting readers to wherever in the world literary innovation may be found.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in In the Absence of Men?
Fiction > Fiction: literary and general non-genre > Modern and contemporary fiction: literary and general
Where can I read a sample of In the Absence of Men?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781529949094
Who is/are the Author/s of the book In the Absence of Men?
Philippe Besson
Who is the Publisher of the book In the Absence of Men?
Random House
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
In the Absence of Men is available as paperback(ISBN 9781529949094) and paperback(ISBN 9781784876364) and ebook(ISBN 9781446485293)
Where can I buy In the Absence of Men online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy In the Absence of Men from below
Where can I buy In the Absence of Men?