The novel «The Great Swindle» by Pierre Lemaitre, published in 2013, received several literary awards, including the Prix Goncourt (France’s top literary prize for the best novel).

The title of the book is taken from the last letter of Jean Blanchard, one of the martyrs of Vingré, which he wrote to his wife before execution.

The novel starts in the trench lines of World War I, but the major plot unfolds during the post-war times.

Edouard, a talented artist with a wounded, disfigured face, and Albert, a modest servant, are friends who miraculously survived during the war. They understand that their country does not need them anymore, but instead of falling into despair, they devise a bold venture. A suspenseful plot and an unexpected ending!

Lemaitre P. Au revoir là-haut : roman / Pierre Lemaitre. - [Paris] : Albin Michel, 2013. - 619, [1] p., [8] f. ill.: ill. - ( Le livre de poche ;33655:) Location – French reading room, catalogue code Ш6(0)63 L53)