Capus
2014 Longlist

Léon and Louise

Translated from the original German by John Brownjohn
artwork-image

ABOUT
THE BOOK

A life-long love affair that survives the tribulations of two World Wars, Léon and Louise tells the story of Alex Capus’ French grandfather. It charmed readers in Germany, where it sold nearly two hundred thousand copies and, in the year following publication, never left the Der Spiegel bestseller list.

Summer 1918. The First World War is drawing to a close when Léon falls in love with Louise Janvier. Both are severely wounded by German artillery fire, are separated, and believe each other to be dead. Briefly reunited two decades later, the lovers are torn apart again by Louise’s refusal to destroy Léon’s marriage and the German invasion of France. Through occupied Paris during the Second World War, where Léon struggles against the abhorrent tasks imposed on him by the SS, and the wilds of Africa, where Louise confronts the hardships of her primitive environment, they battle the vicissitudes of history and the passage of time for the survival of their love.

Léon and Louise’s is an enduring passion and an enchanting tale of love’s triumph against improbable odds. It is a story masterfully told. Alex Capus’ poetic, understated language is beautifully translated by John Brownjohn.

 

ABOUT
THE AUTHOR Alex
Capus

Alex Capus (born France, 1961) is a French-Swiss novelist who writes in German. He studied History, Philosophy and Anthropology at Basel University before embarking on a career in journalism. He published his first novel Munzinger Pascha in 1997, and has so far published eleven books.

Haus Publishing published his novel ‘A Matter of Time’ in 2009, and travelogue ‘Sailing by Starlight: In Search of Treasure Island’ in 2010.

Alex Capus (born France, 1961) is a French-Swiss novelist who writes in German. He studied History, Philosophy and Anthropology at Basel University before embarking on a career in journalism. He published his first novel Munzinger Pascha in 1997, and has so far published eleven books.

Haus Publishing published his novel ‘A Matter of Time’ in 2009, and travelogue ‘Sailing by Starlight: In Search of Treasure Island’ in 2010.

ABOUT
THE TRANSLATOR John
Brownjohn

John Brownjohn translated more than 160 books, and won the Schlegel-Tieck Prize for German translation three times and the Helen and Kurt Wolff Prize once.
John Brownjohn translated more than 160 books, and won the Schlegel-Tieck Prize for German translation three times and the Helen and Kurt Wolff Prize once.

NOMINATING LIBRARY COMMENTS

This story is based on Alex Capus’ grandfather’s life. We liked the everlasting love, shared by people who couldn’t fight it, but assumed their involvements. The writing is very sensitive and touching.

Léon and Louise’s is an enduring passion and an enchanting tale of love’s triumph against improbable odds. It is a story masterfully told.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Date published
11/02/2013
Country
Switzerland
Original Language
German
Author
Publisher
Haus Publishing
Translator
John Brownjohn
Translation
Translated from the original German by John Brownjohn

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