burlington Posted 9 January , 2005 Share Posted 9 January , 2005 By Jean-Yves Le Naour, it is a true account of a French WW1 amnesiac, Anthelme Mangin. The book, which was reviewed in the Sunday Times a week ago, illustrates the heartbreak of those who lost their loved ones and the straws people will clutch at in a vain hope of finding them. Mangin died in 1942 and in between 1918, when he was shipped home and committed to an asylum, and the 1930's there were many attempts by the bereaved to identify him as their own. All to no avail. Really, the book seems to be an essay and an analysis in to grief and longing. Anyway, anyone read it? Martin Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andigger Posted 10 January , 2005 Share Posted 10 January , 2005 I saw this book in the store a few months back and posted a similar question. I got a few replies, but IIRC not many had read it then. Hopefully some other pals have picked the book up in the mean time. Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest davidmac Posted 27 January , 2005 Share Posted 27 January , 2005 liked it Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Captain Dave Posted 2 July , 2005 Share Posted 2 July , 2005 I finished this book the other day after it looked at me in the library. Personaly I found it an evocative account of post war France with a clear and fluid descriptive style of peoples reactions to ther loved ones being posted as missing. The descriptions of the years of searching by families was especialy compelling and also described a period of history that few of us would have any experience of. We can look back at the war today with the benefit of hindsight, but we tend to neglect the huge impact it had on the parents of missing soldiers right up until their own deaths. I have since passed it around the office to another person and demanded she read it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest karequah Posted 6 July , 2005 Share Posted 6 July , 2005 I haven't yet, but it is on the list (as time/money allow). Post and let us know what you think of it! Best, Dan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry_Reeves Posted 6 July , 2005 Share Posted 6 July , 2005 I posted on this book sometime ago. As has all ready been mentioned , it is a moving story but one that goes far beyond the story of one individual. It illustrates quite clearly how important closure is to the families of the missing and. Families from other nations also came forward to claim "Mangin" as their own and I have no doubt that many others always lived in hope that somehow, a missing relative would somehow turn up. Terry Reeves Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robbie Posted 9 July , 2005 Share Posted 9 July , 2005 I posted on this book sometime ago. As has all ready been mentioned , it is a moving story but one that goes far beyond the story of one individual. It illustrates quite clearly how important closure is to the families of the missing and. Families from other nations also came forward to claim "Mangin" as their own and I have no doubt that many others always lived in hope that somehow, a missing relative would somehow turn up. Terry Reeves <{POST_SNAPBACK}> The earlier thread is here: http://1914-1918.invisionzone.com/forums/i...=0entry264592 I found it very moving, and topical too given the recent events in London with a number of people still missing. Robbie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ph0ebus Posted 11 March , 2012 Share Posted 11 March , 2012 Just picked up a copy of this in my local Thrift store today, and while I am still in the middle of reading it, so far it is gripping. -Daniel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 13 March , 2012 Share Posted 13 March , 2012 I didn't really READ it ... I devoured it ... like in two days, including time for hamster and horse ... Read it in French and took some notes (also in French)... for those who are interested, I can send it to you (too big to be attached here) also interesting to know: in february this year, a comic of the book has appeared, (drawings by Mauro Lirussi). Here the first page from http://www.sceneario.com/bd_17334.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Herekawe Posted 13 March , 2012 Share Posted 13 March , 2012 Hi Its well worth reading. Its a sad story but demonstrates how that title "missing" must have meant lack of closure and years of pain for so many families. James Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marilyne Posted 15 April , 2012 Share Posted 15 April , 2012 I bought the comic this WE (see entry 9) It's all black and white, the drawing is poignant. Very good !! It gives the whole story this dark and desperate tone. Le Naour sticks to the story he tells in the book, although he adds some stuff from his other books. For example, it's been said that the name "Anthelme Mangin - Vichy" was something that the amnesiac muttered under his breath, completely unaware of what he was saying. In the comic, the first doctors get it out of him by electrocution. this is a reference to one of Le Naour's other book: Les Soldats de la Honte. But overall, it's definitly worth reading and having. I'm not sure you'll find a translation, though. Regards, Marilyne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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