“At the height of his talent, Philippe Besson provides this story rhythm, vigor, and pathos. Retour parmi les hommes is the best novel that this prolific author has written since Son frère.”
Livres Hebdo

“A success!”
L’Express


             The powerful sequel to Philippe Besson’s remarkable literary debut

In 2001, Philippe Besson made his graceful entrance onto the international literary scene with En l’absence des hommes (translated in 10 languages). He introduced Vincent who, at 16, was as old as the century while France was at war. Vincent’s beauty and precocity captivated two men: Marcel, some thirty years his senior, a writer and celebrated socialite; and Arthur, the 21 year old son of one of the servants who was a soldier at the front home for a week’s leave. Both relationships became love affairs of a kind – of the mind or of the body. Confidences were made, absences endured and secrets revealed. Arthur’s premature death during the war devastated Vincent with unspeakable pain.

Now, 7 years later, Vincent returns to Paris after having traveled the world to runaway from his memories of Arthur. He realized that it wasn’t enough to become someone else, he had to find the courage to become himself. A new encounter once again turns tragic and it will at last give him the strength to mourn Arthur’s loss.