A Hundred Million Francs
A Hundred Million Francs by Paul Berna is a New Impression published by Penguin Books, Limited in 1960. This children’s book presents a vivid portrayal of slum life through the eyes of a group of children in Louvigny, who find joy and adventure with their only plaything, a headless wooden horse on wheels. Berna draws from his experiences as a journalist to depict the resilience and camaraderie of these children, who navigate their tough environment with independence and creativity.
Readers will discover a dynamic gang led by Gaby, whose leadership is complemented by Marion, a girl with a strong personality who commands a pack of trained stray dogs. The narrative captures the essence of childhood friendships and the unsentimental care the children have for one another, reflecting Berna’s own childhood experiences. With 173 pages, this edition offers a rich exploration of themes such as community and survival, making it a notable addition to children’s literature and fiction.
Official synopsis Publisher
Berna, using his experience as a journalist on a suburban newspaper in the 1930s, could describe with personal knowledge the slum life and mores of the children whose only plaything is a headless wooden horse on three iron wheels. Happily they career through the street of Louvigny – tough, independent, prepared to resist threats, bribe anything to protect their horse. The story is irresistible in its vitality, and remarkable for the nature of the gang, a multicultural mix of ages, colour and gender. Although a boy, Gaby, is the leader, it is a girl, Marion, who has the stronger personality and controls their secret weapon – a collection of stray dogs she has rescued and trained to respond at a word. The gang look after each other with unsentimental caring – something the author obviously remembered from his own childhood as one of seven, whose father died in the first month of the First World War. (from The Independent obituary)
Author
Publisher
Topics
FAQ
What is “A Hundred Million Francs” about?
Who is the author of “A Hundred Million Francs”?
When was “A Hundred Million Francs” published?
What is the ISBN for “A Hundred Million Francs”?
What are the book details (language, pages, edition)?
