Axelle

by Pierre Benoit, Frédéric Vitoux (Preface)

in-8, broché, 393 pp. Excellent état, proche du neuf.

400 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1928

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Pierre Benoit was a French novelist and member of the Académie française.

Reviews

[Denis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Benoit, so long forgotten, has known a little bit of a revival in his native France, lately, and it’s more than deserved. I’m not sure if, besides L’Atlantide, his most famous novel, his work has been translated, but many of his books certainly hold the test of time, if only for the sheer pleasure they give to the reader. Are Benoit’s novels old-fashioned and dated? Yes. But in a marvelous way, and that actually gives them enormous charm. His stories, peopled with mysteries, irresistible and fatale heroines, doomed loves, adventures, and exoticism, are actually beautifully written, and are always psychologically quite fascinating. Axelle is an unusual and original exploration of obsession and sensuality in the shadow of World War I, and Benoit is a master at building a slow suspense filled with morbid and gloomy emotions. His mastery of the French language is never more evident than in his descriptions of nature: the whole story takes place in Prussia, and the lugubrious yet enchanting atmosphere of the landscape is terrific.

[Agnes Fontana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Axelle est le plus long des romans de Pierre Benoît. Il est long, triste et essentiellement vide, comme la vie elle-même, mais Pierre Benoït arrive à nous faire trouver ça plaisant... Le sergent Dumaine est fait prisonnier et envoyé dans un camp au bord de la Baltique en Prusse. Son talent l'électricien lui vaut d'être affectée au château où il tombera amoureux de la froide et prude Axelle, nièce d'un général et fiancée à un capitaine. Le destin rapproche insensiblement ces deux êtres mais ne pourra les réunir. Descriptions saisissantes de la région baltique de la Prusse (que l'auteur n'a jamais vue !!) et la guerre en toile de fond, comme un noir concerto. Et c'est beau !! Hé, bien sûr, c'est du Pierre Benoît...

[Ratratrat · Rating 3 out of 5]

a leggere le descrizioni, mi aspettavo una travolgente ed entusiasmante storia d’amore. invece è stato tutt'altro, e capisco perché mio padre, che aveva vissuto la prima guerra mondiale, lo avesse conservato. Un libro moderno, direi, in cui un ufficiale francese , ma finito nel a fanteria e prigioniero sul fronte franco tedesco, finisce in un campo di prigionia nella Prussia orientale. un mondo ormai sparito gli Junkers prussiani, ormai , attorno a quella Koenigsberg che ormai è la russa Kaliningrad. Francesi e tedeschi incominciano a frequentatarsi e a comprendersi. Axelle è solo la figlia del castellano, un sentimento fra il francese e e lei rimane on detto fino alla fine, dove lascia un barlume di speranza

[Lucie Pmm · Rating 4 out of 5]

France and Germany, 1917. This story about a french soldier, prisoner in a German camp and the life he builts while waiting for his freedom. As always, the way Pierre Benoît grabs you to tell you the stories and relationships between men and women is incredible.