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The Kites

By Romain Gary
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4.27 goodreads logo

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Check link for latest rating. ( 6,982 ratings, 696 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 Kites by Romain Gary is a tale set in Normandy during World War II, centred on the imaginative young protagonist, Ludo Fleury. As the war unfolds, Ludo navigates the chaos and unpredictability of life while nurturing a passionate love for Lila, a girl from an aristocratic Polish family. The story weaves through themes of resilience, hope, and the power of the human spirit amidst the challenges of war.
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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 novel if you're drawn to stories set against the backdrop of World War II, with a blend of romance, resilience, and a touch of whimsy. This book offers a satisfying mix of historical context and emotional depth, infused with a sense of hope and the enduring power of love amid chaos.

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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

Published in France in 1980, The Kites is a beautifully written novel about the triumph of joy over darkness.

Set in Normandy before and during WWII, The Kites is narrated by a young orphan, Ludo Fleury, who is madly in love with Lila de Bronicki, a charming and self-absorbed Polish aristocrat. Despite the looming war, Ludo remains obstinately in love with Lila and becomes involved in the Resistance.

Ludo’s uncle and guardian, the colourful Ambroise Fleury, a passionate amateur kite-maker, is deported to Auschwitz. Meanwhile, Ambroise’s best friend, Marcellin Duprat, one of France’s greatest chefs, battles the Occupation with an unrelenting love of haute cuisine. Additionally, Julie Espinoza, a Parisian madame, refashions herself as a collaborationist countess, running a Resistance network under the noses of the Nazis.

Written by one of the greatest and best-loved French authors, The Kites is both a ripping good story and a sobering reflection on the tragic human tendency to search for an enemy. It's funny and heartbreaking, dark and optimistic, tender and unsparing.

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?

The Kites by Romain Gary is praised for its rich, layered love story that evolves amidst hardship and war. Reviewers note its ability to blend humour and whimsy with themes of idealism, creativity, and the harsh realities of war, offering shades of humanity that are both colourful and nuanced. The book is described as a treasure, filled with insight and bittersweet candour, and its narrative serves as a form of resistance akin to its context within World War II.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781925498813

Publisher: Text Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 30 October 2017

Country: Australia

Imprint: The Text Publishing Company

Contributors:

  • Translated by Miranda Richmond Mouillot

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 250g

Pages: 384

Collections

Fiction General Fiction Literary Fiction Penguin Books Romain Gary

About the Author

Born in 1914 in what is now Lithuania, Romain Gary wrote nearly thirty novels and numerous short stories and screenplays. He was twice awarded France’s most prestigious literary award, the Prix Goncourt, once under his own name, and once under the pseudonym Emile Ajar.

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