Jacques Chessex was a Swiss poet and novelist whose work is characterized by a deep interest in the human psyche and moral dilemmas. He enriched his texts with poetic imagery and penetrating introspection, securing his place among the most important French-language authors. His writing often explores the darker aspects of human nature and the complexity of interpersonal relationships. Chessex's unique style and the depth of his works have left an indelible mark on literature.
On April 16, 1942, a few days before Hitler's birthday, a handful of Swiss Nazis in Payerne lure Arthur Bloch, a Jewish cattle merchant, into a stable and kill him. Europe is in flames, but this is Switzerland, and Payerne, a rural market town of butchers and bankers, is more concerned with unemployment than the fate of nations across the border.
A dark rural tale of superstition that ends on the battlefields of the Somme.