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The Great Swindle

Prize-winning historical fiction by a master of suspense
By Pierre Lemaitre
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Check link for latest rating. ( 17,308 ratings, 1,585 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
The Great Swindle by Pierre Lemaitre is a gripping post-World War I tale focusing on two soldiers grappling with the aftermath of the trenches. As they attempt to rebuild their lives amidst the war-torn society, they delve into an audacious art swindle. This novel richly explores themes of friendship, survival, and deception against the backdrop of a world struggling to recover from conflict.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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 intrigued by historical narratives that delve into the aftermath of World War I, exploring the lives of soldiers dealing with the consequences of the war. The story weaves intricate plots involving deception, survival, and the complexities of human relationships, keeping you captivated with its engaging and suspenseful storytelling.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Now a major French film Au revoir là-haut - Prix Goncourt-winning masterpiece by the writer who brought you Alex, Irène and Camille.

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

And so is set in motion a series of devastating events that will inextricably bind together the fates and fortunes of Pradelle and the two soldiers who witness his crime: Albert Maillard and Edouard Pericourt.

Back in civilian life, Albert and Edouard struggle to adjust to a society whose reverence for its dead cannot quite match its resentment for those who survived. But the two soldiers conspire to enact an audacious form of revenge against the country that abandoned them to penury and despair, with a scheme to swindle the whole of France on an epic scale.

Meanwhile, believing her brother killed in action, Edouard's sister Madeleine has married Pradelle, who is running a little scam of his own...

The Great Swindle unveils a riveting tale of deceit and redemption set in the aftermath of war.

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?

Pierre Lemaitre's The Great Swindle receives praise for its intricate detail and compelling narrative, evoking comparisons to Balzac for its expansive scope and vivid secondary characters. Critics highlight its power in depicting the aftermath of war, blending tragedy and comedy with suspense. The translation by Frank Wynne is noted for capturing the novel's ironic tone effectively, making it a vastly enjoyable read that offers a darkly comedic view of post-war France.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781848665798

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 03 November 2016

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: MacLehose Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Frank Wynne
  • Translated by Frank Wynne

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 29.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 322g

Pages: 464

Collections

Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Pierre Lemaitre

About the Author

Pierre Lemaitre was born in Paris in 1951. He worked for many years as a teacher of literature before becoming a novelist. He was awarded the Crime Writers' Association International Dagger, alongside Fred Vargas, for Alex. In 2013 his novel Au revoir la-haut (The Great Swindle, in English translation) won the Prix Goncourt, France's leading literary award.

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