The Red Collar
The Red Collar by Jean-Christophe Rufin, published by Europa Editions in 2015, is a work of fiction that unfolds in post-World War I France. Set in a small town in the province of Berry, the narrative centers around a war hero imprisoned in an abandoned barracks, a loyal dog that barks incessantly outside, and a young woman working the land, filled with hope. The story intricately weaves the lives of these characters, exploring themes of loyalty and the human spirit against the backdrop of a war-torn landscape.
Readers will find a poignant exploration of the psychological impacts of war through the experiences of the three central figures. The narrative delves into the complexities of their relationships and the profound connections that bind them, all while the dog serves as a pivotal element in their intertwined fates. With 158 pages of lyrical prose, The Red Collar presents a thoughtful reflection on honor and faithfulness, inviting readers to contemplate the deeper meanings of love and loyalty amidst the scars of conflict.
Official synopsis Publisher
“A beautifully memorable and unusual story about war and what it does to us” from the bestselling author and founder of Doctors Without Borders (The Independent).
In 1919, in a small town in the province of Berry, France, under the crushing heat of summer, a war hero is being held prisoner in an abandoned barracks. In front of the door to his prison, a mangy dog barks night and day. Miles from where he is being held, in the French countryside, a young extraordinarily intelligent woman works the land, waiting and hoping. A judge whose principles have been sorely shaken by the war is traveling to an unknown location to sort out certain affairs of which it is better not to speak.
Three characters. In their midst, a dog who holds the key both to their destinies and to this intriguing plot.
Full of poetry and life, The Red Collar is at once a delightfully simple narrative about the human spirit and a profound work about loyalty and love.
“A superbly crafted little gem that does everything a novel can do in less than 150 pages . . . It’s a lucky reader who gets to experience the power of The Red Collar.”–Shelf Awareness
“A graceful, unpretentious little miracle, a morality play of immense skill.”–The Irish Times
“In The Red Collar, a delicate and poetic novel, Rufin examines that which makes us human.”–L’express (France)
“Without special effects, with simplicity and the pure pleasure of telling a story, Jean-Christophe Rufin explores the meaning of faithfulness, loyalty, and honor.”–Le Figaro (France)
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