Un Pélerin d'Angkor

A young man, shaped by the lingering presence of his late brother’s voyages, spends his childhood surrounded by exotic curiosities—shells, island birds, and the faded papers of distant lands. In the quiet of his makeshift “museum,” he discovers a haunting illustration of Angkor’s towering temples, sparking an obsession that will define his destiny. The narrative follows his restless imagination as it battles the expectations of a modest provincial life, urging him toward the mysteries of the far‑off jungles of Indochina.

When the opportunity finally arrives, he embarks on a pilgrimage to the ruins that have haunted his dreams. The journey is rendered with vivid detail, from the sweltering river crossings to the awe‑inspiring silhouettes of stone towers entwined with jungle vines. Along the way, he confronts the lingering shadows of colonial ambition and the personal weight of loss, all while seeking the fulfillment of a childhood vision that feels both heroic and haunting.