Sac au dos, suivi de A vau l'eau

"Sac au dos, suivi de A vau l'eau" is a captivating literary volume by Joris-Karl Huysmans that combines two stories deeply immersed in the human experience. The first narrative is set in 1870 and provides a poignant insight into the lives of French soldiers during the war against Prussia. The young conscript recounts the challenges and misery of wartime life, marked by pain, loss, and the harsh realities of life at the front. The second story follows M. Folantin, a modest clerk whose monotonous life is brightened by the search for a decent restaurant for dinner. These two narrative threads offer a striking view of the different facets of life and the art of naturalism for which Huysmans is known. The volume is written in French and provides a profound read for lovers of fiction.