La Madelon de l'an 40

Synopsis of La Madelon de l'an 40

In 1939, in a small village in the Landes region, fifteen-year-old Millette dreams of being chosen as the "Madelon," the queen of the annual veterans' festival. However, the outbreak of World War II shatters her dreams. As occupation and uncertainty grip France, Millette faces the harsh realities of war, the black market, and difficult moral choices, eventually finding her path in the resistance while struggling to maintain hope amidst adversity. This moving novel by Georges Coulonges explores with great sensitivity themes of resilience, civil courage, and the loss of innocence during one of the darkest periods in French history.