Member Reviews

Short, but not sweet, but wonderfully written from the heart, this is an account of a loved one who never returned home. Dealing with his own grief and the bafflement of a toddler, the author is never bitter in spite of completely failing to understand the reasons as a rational human being.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Netgalley for giving me the chance to read this utterly devastating account of just one of the deaths caused by terrorists at the Bataclan Theatre in November 2015.

I was in the comfort of my own home, idly flicking from app to app on my phone that Friday evening when stories began to come through on Twitter, closely followed by breaking headlines from the BBC News app. First reports of shootings, a few people shot, then some more, followed by more, and so followed an evening of reports so shocking and terrible I cried.

This is a heartbreaking read, as we all know what happened that horrible night in Paris. Here we are told how the tragedy has affected the family of Helene Muyal-Leiris who was one of those killed in the Bataclan.

It could be any of us, which is a very frightening thing. I've thought of the many times I've been to gigs in similar venues, and have tried to imaging the sheer terror of gunmen bursting in. But they will not stop me from going to other gigs, or to other potential targets.

That's what Antoine is trying to show here. He wrote a now famous post on Facebook, telling the terrorists that he will not afford any more time thinking about them. He has set a standard for us all to follow, in that we should not allow them to terrorise us. Yes, he is mourning his wife and his child has lost his mother, and it is terrible, as is loss for anyone. But he shows a strength in refusing to be cowed by the terrorists.

There's not much more I can say about this book, other than I wish for a peaceful life full of love for Antoine and his family.

Was this review helpful?

An incredibly moving, well written, emotional account of a family in the immediate aftermath of the atrocity that was Bataclan. This book is not an easy read; it is raw with grief however throughout there is a quiet dignity. The translation was seemless. I hope this book reaches a wide audience.

Was this review helpful?

Antonine Leiris was an ordinary loving husband and father living in Paris when his whole world was shattered by the intrusion of terrorists. His wife, was a victim of the atrocities of the Bataclan attack. The book is an account of the aftermath as seen through Antoine's eyes. It does not dwell on the horror of that night but of his own thoughts and feelings in the hours and days immediately afterwards. Of the overwhelming kindness of strangers which only highlighted his pain, of his doubts that he could bring his young son up alone and of simple day to day tasks which all bore the mark of Helene. It is beautifully written and incredibly sad but although his grief will undoubtedly overwhelm him at times you just know he will be a wonderful father and that Helene would be so proud.

Was this review helpful?

A very important book, for both the author and readers. Heartfelt, yet grounded in compassion and common sense.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book via Netgalley and I am so pleased to have read it. This book plays with all of one's emotions. Antoine Leiris wrote it in the days following the death of his wife Helene in the Paris terrorist attack in November 2015.

It is a heartbreaking account, beautifully written with true honesty as a journal covering the events, his grief, the reaction of others and how he coped with his young son from the evening the deaths took place through to taking his little boy to his mother's grave the day after her funeral.

Antoine Leiris is a good man and I am sure his wife is feeling very proud of him. His attitude towards his wife's death and her killers can only restore your faith in mankind. If there are more of us like him then I think we can have faith that one day there may be peace on earth.

Was this review helpful?