Mad
14.99 €
In stock
Mad
14.99 €
On August 27, 1934, 56 teenagers escaped from a juvenile detention center on the French island of Belle-Île. They were trapped on the island. A hunt was declared for the escaped boys—some as young as ten years old. Guards, gendarmes, local residents, and even the occasional tourist eagerly scoured the island in search of the exhausted, helpless fugitives. A reward of 20 francs was offered for every boy, whether ten or eighteen. All but one would be recaptured...
This story is entirely true. The colony on Belle-Île had existed since the late 19th century, and its inhabitants were treated very cruelly. Many of them had committed no crimes, but were simply orphans or foundlings who needed a place to live. Even very young boys were found there. And the author didn't invent the escape of the "inmates," as they were called, but in reality, prisoners. But the main character, Jules Bonnot, didn't exist. According to some documents, there were 55 fugitives, all of whom were recaptured; according to others, there were 56, and one was never found. Serge Chalandon, in his own words, stepped into the shoes of this 56th fugitive and wrote the story of a teenager like himself—lonely, abandoned by his family, punished without guilt, dreaming of revenge and mentally dealing with his tormentors so he wouldn't have to do it in real life. It's a surprisingly dynamic and emotional novel. Reading it, you can't help but sympathize with the fate of the young fugitive.
This story is entirely true. The colony on Belle-Île had existed since the late 19th century, and its inhabitants were treated very cruelly. Many of them had committed no crimes, but were simply orphans or foundlings who needed a place to live. Even very young boys were found there. And the author didn't invent the escape of the "inmates," as they were called, but in reality, prisoners. But the main character, Jules Bonnot, didn't exist. According to some documents, there were 55 fugitives, all of whom were recaptured; according to others, there were 56, and one was never found. Serge Chalandon, in his own words, stepped into the shoes of this 56th fugitive and wrote the story of a teenager like himself—lonely, abandoned by his family, punished without guilt, dreaming of revenge and mentally dealing with his tormentors so he wouldn't have to do it in real life. It's a surprisingly dynamic and emotional novel. Reading it, you can't help but sympathize with the fate of the young fugitive.
See also:
- All books by the publisher
- All books by the author