This novel is difficult to start: the language of Anatole France is rich and subtle, and it is for a public scholar if not, at least attentive, able to spot the historical, literary and philosophical references truffent novel. These references are not essential to follow the story but may discourage some. After this barrier style, the story is more involved that: when the world we know is emerging, while racing and what should be a burst of freedom turns into a blind amok. No one is immune, anyone can be convicted of high treason and guillotined in stride. And the worst is that these murderers are fascinating as they terrorize and embodies Elodie Blaise, the mistress of Evariste, both worried and irresistibly attracted by an inflexible man, a little Robespierre whose eloquence passionate can equal the incorruptible righteousness. I devoured the entire second half without being able to stop. A beautiful reminder of our own society, built in his own blood and incapable of the slightest recoil on itself.
