Rabevel, ou le mal des ardents, Volume 1 (of 3) : La jeunesse de Rabevel

Set against a rainy October day in 1875 Paris, the story opens with Noë Rabevel hurrying through the muddied streets, his young nephew Bernard trailing behind in a blue woolen hood. Their brisk walk becomes a lively exchange where the boy, eager and proud, challenges his uncle's cynical view of the world and wonders about his own future. Through their banter, the narrative paints a vivid portrait of a family caught between the lingering scars of war and the restless ambitions of a generation longing for both honor and prosperity.

As Noë reflects on his own past—soldier turned carpenter, haunted by the fortunes of war—Bernard's questions reveal a hunger for identity and a desire to claim his place in a changing France. The novel captures the tension between pride, poverty, and the allure of wealth, hinting at how personal choices may shape destiny. With sharp dialogue and a keen eye for street life, the opening invites listeners to follow the Rabevel family as they navigate love, loss, and the restless fire of youthful aspiration.