The House of the Combrays

"The House of the Combrays" by G. Lenotre is a historical novel that immerses readers in the dangerous world of early 19th-century France, during Napoleon Bonaparte's ascent to power. The story starts with Moisson, who remembers when his family was forced to seek shelter in an old tower provided by the royalist Mme. de Combray. This happened after Moisson's father went missing while plotting against the government. As Moisson, his mother, and their servant settle into their hidden life, they uncover secrets and overhear talk of conspiracies, hinting at the political unrest and the constant threat from Bonaparte's police. The novel sets the stage to explore themes of loyalty, the high price of political beliefs, and the way personal stories collide with big historical changes.