Product Description

This first bilingual edition of France's most enduring wartime novel introduces Vercors' famous tale to a generation without personal experience of World War II who may not be able to read it in its original language. Readers are assisted with a historical and literary introduction, explanatory notes, a glossary of French terms and a select bibliography.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #152755 in Books
• Published on: 1992-11-05
• Original language: French
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 102 pages

Review
'Not only a distinguished piece of fiction but also a brilliant piece of reporting on French resistance.' Life 'Saying something new about such a work was the central challenge faced by Brown and Stokes. To my surprise, they have succeeded in meeting this challenge.' French Review

About the Author
James W. Brown is Professor of French at Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia. Lawrence D. Stokes is Professor of History, Dalhousie University. Translated from the French by Cyril Connelly

Customer Reviews

Tension almost becomes unbearable in this tale of patriotism
In 'Le Silence de la Mer' Vercors writes of the tensions between a highly educated, articulate and sensitive German soldier, and the French family with whom he is billeted. The war and the opposing sides have created a barrier between these people, preventing what could have become a long lasting and firm friendship. Each night the German solider, uninvited, joins the father of the house and his niece by the fire, telling them of his hopes for the future of a united Europe, his love of the French language and literature and displaying his true sensitive nature, contrasting with the shock of the brutality of war and the stereotype of a typical German soldier. He receives no response to these almost poetic monologues, and his polite and courteous 'Je vous souhaite une bonne nuit' each night is met with silence, reflecting his isolation in the cruel and impersonal world of war. However, the blushing and glances of the neice suggest a sympathy with this foreign young man, and a feeling that under different circumstances, a sincere relationship could have developed. Vercors' poetic and sensitive style of writing, and the constant undercurrents of tension beneath 'the silence of the sea' strongly evoke the conflicting emotions of period in which it is set, creating a deeply moving and fascinating book.