Description

‘Game of Thrones meets The Three Musketeers‘ Mariella Frostrup, BBC Radio 4

‘A lively adventure’ Telegraph

‘France’s modern Dumas’ Sunday Times

THE MILLION COPY BESTSELLER

The Perigord of sixteenth-century France is a wild region on the borders of royal authority – its steep, forested valleys roamed by brigands and divided by religious conflict.

In this beautiful but dangerous country, two veterans of the French king’s wars – The Brethren – come to build a prosperous community. But civil war looms, famine and plague stalk the land, and they must use all their wits to protect those they love.

This exhilarating blend of adventure and romance became an instant classic on publication and has sold more than a million copies worldwide.

Part of the Pushkin Press Classics series: timeless storytelling by icons of literature, hand picked from around the globe.

TRANSLATED BY T. JEFFERSON KLINE

Robert Merle (1908-2004) was born in French Algeria, before moving to mainland France in 1918. Originally an English teacher, Merle served as an interpreter with British Expeditionary Force during the Second World War, and was captured by the German army at Dunkirk, the experience of which served as the basis for his Goncourt-prize-winning Weekend at Zuydcoote. His novel The Brethren became an international bestseller and has sold more than one million copies worldwide.

Publisher Review

A master of the historical novel * Guardian * A vivid novel by France’s modern Dumas… [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader’s long-term commitment will be amply rewarded * Sunday Times * Modern-day Dumas finally crosses the channel * Observer * A highly anticipated tome that’s been described as Game of Thrones meets The Three Musketeers — Mariella Frostrup * BBC Radio 4’s Open Book * The spectacular 13-volume evocation of 16th-17th-century France * Independent * Swashbuckling historical fiction… For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp… The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect — Christobel Kent * Guardian * Historical fiction at its very best… This fast paced and heady brew is colourfully leavened with love and sex and a great deal of humour and wit. The second instalment cannot be published too soon * We Love This Book * We’re swept away by triumph, tragedy, action and adventure… It’s a novel like this that makes reviewing one of the best jobs in the world * The Book Bag * Cleverly depicts France’s epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family’s experience. It’s beautifully written too * Metro * The Dumas of the twentieth century * Neues Deutschland * A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama * Zeitpunkt * A sprawling, earthy tale of peril, love, lust, death, dazzling philosophical debate and political intrigue… an engrossing saga * Gransnet *