APRIL, 1940
The German troops are advancing towards Paris, the French army is in disarray and hundreds of thousands of people are fleeing, without food, without water, without gasoline for their cars, seeking a safe place.
At the same time, a thirty-year-old teacher, Louise, is running naked on the Boulevard Montparnasse. What is the tragic experience she just went through? Why will she be accused of blackmail?
Louise will plunge into the madness of an era unlike any other in history. Accompanied by the faithful Mr. Gilles, she will also take the path of escape, simultaneously traversing the journey of her personal story in an effort to uncover the painful secret that shattered her mother's life.
As the whole of France is gripped by the panic of the exodus and sinks into chaos, through the backdrop of war emerge heroes but also cowards, liars and swindlers, but also people with sincere feelings, high values, and good intentions.
Family secrets, great characters, strong narration, twists, satirical and tragic tone. The talent of Pierre Lemaitre, awarded the Goncourt for his work "See You Up There," reaches its peak here.