Published in the United States in 1943, this interesting novel the decline of the French intellectual class prior to the outbreak of World War II. Not all of the characters are French, for we also find a Soviet Ambassador, paranoid and corrupt, an elderly Russian Revolutionary who is only a seeking a quiet exit from a life and efforts that he has come to doubt and a young Soviet secretary who loves to buy Paris clothing but keeps trying to convince herself that life in the Soviet Union of 1938 is better and happier than Paris.
The characters in this novel are rich and deep. While I am not a big fan of fiction, this book falls into a category which arouses interest as it presents an interesting insight into the time, manner, and morals of a society. As it centers around Louis-Etienne Vermandois, a fading literary giant who is always short of money but must maintain the façade of high living which was more easily his during his best times. The dialog between Vermandois and those who seek to be near him is excellent; not always light, but interesting and indicative of the “intellectuals” mind and way of thinking. He realizes that his best days are behind him, but he is hoping for one last burst of brilliance which will carry him through his final days. It is easy to draw a picture of Vermandois in each of his situations and one can almost feel his exhaustion at his efforts to maintain his position and image.
Aldanov does not draw any moral conclusions regarding his characters which is refreshing. They are humans living their lives as it unfolds, moving forward, making errors (such as when a character accidently uses the “wrong smile” in a situation), hoping for something better and in once case, realizing that the end is nearer than thought. One may like or dislike a character, but each character is a distinct personality of their own and it is easy to identify with many of the characters as they move through the novel.
For a glimpse into a forgotten world, this novel provides the reader with glimpse into a world and society which was soon to end. I recommend it for its character development and portrait of the society. Aldanov (born Landau) was born in 1888/9 in Kiev and wrote numerous novels on Napoleon, Lenin, and the Russian Revolution. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize for literature thirteen times. He died in France in 1957.
