The novel focuses on French intellectuals and artists at the end of the Second World War. It alternates between two points of view: Anne, in the first person, and Henri, in the third person.
Henri and Paule are a couple. Henri is a Resistance fighter, journalist, and writer, while Paule is a beautiful woman who decides to devote herself to her relationship without understanding that the love between them has disappeared. Henri, who is having affairs outside his relationship, lacks the courage to leave her. He eventually does leave, and marries Nadine Dubreuilh, a lively, independent young woman. She is the daughter of Robert and Anne Dubreuil. Robert is a renowned writer and Henri’s mentor; he devotes his life to writing and his political commitment. Anne is an accomplished psychiatrist.
4099 words
Citation: Manoussakis, Vassilis, Yoann Malinge. "Les Mandarins". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 13 January 2009; last revised 10 October 2024. [https://www.litencyc.com/php/sworks.php?rec=true&UID=11127, accessed 22 November 2024.]
