French Fiction, War & Military Fiction, Literary Styles & Movements - Fiction, Spanish Fiction

The Long Voyage

Name: The Long Voyage
Author: Jorge Semprún
ISBN: 9781585676392

by Semprun, Jorge, Seaver, Richard

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Overview

Gasping for breath in a cattle truck occupied by 119 other men, a young Spaniard captured fighting with the French Resistance counts off the days and nights as the train rolls slowly but inexorably toward Buchenwald. On the five seemingly endless days of the journey, he has conversations that send him into daydreams about his childhood or set him fighting Resistance battles over again. He describes the temporary holding prison where the names of distant concentration camps are spoken of in whispers - their individual horrors discussed, rated, contemplated. In chilling detail, the trip with those 119 men - some fearful, some defiant - is evoked, along with his own confusion, anger, and bitter resignation. When at last the fantastic, Wagnerian gates to Buchenwald come into sight, the young Spaniard is left alone to face the camp.

A powerful literary debut based on Semprun's five-day train ride to the concentration camp in Buchenwald during WW II. Winner of the Prestigious Formenter Prize in 1964.

About the Author, Jorge Semprún

Jorge Semprun, novelist and playwright, was Spain's Minister of Culture from 1988-1991. He lives in Paris.

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Library Journal

This autobiographical novel introduces narrator Manuel, who reflects on his life while he and his fellow captured French Resistance fighters are transported to a concentration camp. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.