In the Absence of Men

PRE-ORDER FOR JUNE 3, 2025

In the Absence of Men by Philippe Besson

A Tender and Forbidden Love Story Set Against the Shadows of War
A poignant tale of first love, passion, and self-discovery between a young aristocrat and a soldier in WWI-era Paris, from the author of the international bestseller Lie with Me.

Paris, 1916. With the Great War raging at the front and the men of the city conscripted to fight, sixteen-year-old Vincent de L’Étoile roams a Paris left eerily quiet—yet full of untold possibilities.

Too young for war, but old enough to feel its gravity, Vincent is drawn into an unexpected mentorship with Marcel, a famous writer whose intellect and intensity awaken something within him. But it is Arthur, a handsome soldier on leave—and the son of Vincent’s governess—who becomes the object of Vincent’s forbidden desire.

As the days pass in a heady blur of clandestine nights, whispered promises, and stolen touches, Vincent and Arthur risk everything for a love that defies the expectations of class, gender, and wartime secrecy. All the while, Marcel encourages Vincent to embrace his truth in a world that would silence it.

Set in the opulent salons and quiet bedrooms of wartime Paris, In the Absence of Men is a lyrical, provocative exploration of queer identity, first love, and the fleeting sanctuary found in passion amid chaos.

🌹 For readers of Lie with Me, Call Me By Your Name, and The Song of Achilles
🌹 Explores the beauty and fragility of gay love in a time of silence and societal pressure
🌹 Perfect for fans of LGBTQ+ historical fiction, coming-of-age romance, and literary wartime drama

Format: Paperback 
Genre: LGBTQ+ Historical Fiction, Literary Romance, Coming-of-Age
Themes: Queer love during war, intergenerational mentorship, self-acceptance, class and desire
Setting: World War I Paris, 1916