In the Absence of Men

At just 200 pages, it’s difficult to review this book without risking spoilers. So, I’ll keep it brief, with the added note that I loved Philippe Besson’s later novel Lie With Me.

In the Absence of Men, unfortunately, missed the mark for me. The characters didn’t feel believable—particularly the 16-year-old protagonist, Vincent. The love explored came across as disingenuous, even undeserved, and the friendship with French writer Marcel Proust felt contrived. It’s perhaps no surprise, then, that the twist at the end failed to leave an impact and came dangerously close to feeling like a joke made in bad taste.

Still, 3 stars, because Besson’s prose remains as beautiful as ever.