Sous le fouet : mœurs d'Outre-Rhin

A cramped first‑class carriage whisks two women from the Swiss valleys toward the bustling heart of Paris in the early 1920s. Their journey is a battlefield of sharp jokes, petty grievances and a stubborn yearning for something beyond the familiar. The train becomes a stage where the restless Marie‑Antoinette, known as Moune, and her composed niece Françoise spar over freedom, family, and the unknown city awaiting them.

Moune, a fierce‑tongued orphan turned self‑styled heroine, lashes out at anyone who threatens her temper, while Françoise, ever the calming presence, tries to keep the peace with dry humor and quiet resolve. Their banter oscillates between affectionate teasing and outright hostility, hinting at a tangled history of gratitude, rivalry, and unspoken love. As the rails rattle, both women confront the prospect of leaving behind the safety of the familiar for a Paris that promises both danger and opportunity.

The novel captures the restless spirit of post‑war Europe with vivid dialogue and a keen eye for social absurdities. Listeners will be drawn into a lively portrait of family ties strained by ambition and the ever‑present desire to break free.