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Le Testament Francais

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( 4,165 ratings, 424 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Le Testament Francais by Andreï Makine is a poignant exploration of identity, culture, and memory. It follows a young boy growing up in Soviet Russia, influenced by his French grandmother's stories, which intertwine his Russian heritage with French history. Through her recollections, he develops a deep appreciation for both cultures, prompting reflections on the complexities of belonging and identity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$3199
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're captivated by tales of cultural and generational contrasts, as it delves deeply into the intricacies of identity through a lyrical exploration of place and memory. Its rich narrative weaves personal history with the broader canvas of French and Russian heritage, offering a poignant reflection on how the past shapes one's present.

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Le Testament Francais

The first novel to win both the Prix Goncourt and Prix Médicis

The first novel to win both the Prix Goncourt and Prix Medicis

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

Locked behind the Iron Curtain, a young boy grows up bewitched by his French grandmother's memories of Paris before the Great War. Yet, despite what he also learns of her suffering in the Soviet Union under Stalin and during the Second World War, as an adolescent, he finds himself proud to be a Russian. Torn between the two cultures, he eventually makes a choice, which has a wholly unexpected outcome.

Le Testament Francais captures the powerful allure of illusion in this unforgettable novel that traces a sentimental and intellectual journey, embracing the dramatic history of the twentieth century.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Le Testament Francais by Andreï Makine has been praised as a superb novel blending fantasy and reality with great literary finesse. It's recognised for its necessary and profound impact, capturing the agony of nostalgia brilliantly. The novel's beautiful writing, profound depth, and economy of language vividly convey the intricacies of the Russian soul.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780340936412

Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 28 December 2006

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Sceptre

Contributors:

  • Translated by Geoffrey Strachan

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 21.0mm

Width: 134.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 206g

Pages: 288

About the Author

Andrei Makine was born in Krasnoyarsk in Siberia in 1957, but sought asylum in France in 1987. While initially sleeping rough in Paris he was writing his first novel, A HERO'S DAUGHTER, which was eventually published in 1990 after Makine pretended it had been translated from the Russian, since no publisher believed he could have written it in French. With his third novel, ONCE UPON A RIVER LOVE, he was finally published as a French writer, and with his fourth, LE TESTAMENT FRANCAIS, he became the first author to win both of France s top literary prizes, the Prix Goncourt and Prix Medicis. Since then Andrei Makine has written THE CRIME OF OLGA ARBYELINA, REQUIEM FOR THE EAST, A LIFE'S MUSIC, which won the Grand Prix RTL-Lire, and THE EARTH AND SKY OF JACQUES DORME.

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