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The Summer Boy -

Pages
208
Published
2026
Language
English

Synopsis

On an island off the coast of France, six teenagers come together for a summer of desire and discovery until one of them vanishes forever, leaving the rest with an enduring mystery. Tell me, do you know why the most beautiful love stories must always end badly? In the summer of 1985, on a scruffy resort island off the coast of France, six teenagers—five boys and one girl—band together for a final golden season before adulthood. Their days are drenched in sun and freedom, and their nights simmer with secrets, jealousy, and longing. Philippe is drawn to Nicolas, the quiet new boy who sees him in a way that no one else does. As their bond deepens, part of Nicolas remains unreachable—until a sudden tragedy brings their summer to a brutal end. The Summer Boy is a lush and unforgettable autobiographical tale, capturing the ineffable summers of youth in amber. Celebrated novelist Philippe Besson has shaped his memories into an aching meditation on how one summer night—and one fierce connection—can echo across a lifetime.

About the author

P
Philippe Besson

Philippe Besson (born 29 January 1967 in Barbezieux-Saint-Hilaire, Charente) is a French novelist, playwright and screenwriter. Trained as a lawyer and formerly a human-resources executive, he published his first novel, En l'absence des hommes, in 2001, winning the Prix Emmanuel-Roblès; his second, Son frère, was adapted for film by Patrice Chéreau in 2003. He writes intimate, autobiographical fiction about memory, desire and loss, and became internationally known for Arrête avec tes mensonges (...