Antoine Mauriac: Prisoner and Return

The Nightingale

The story of Vianne's husband, from mobilization to captivity and his changed return.

increasing

Bearing strength in each event

decreasing

Mobilization Mobilization from "The Nightingale". The Postman Becomes a Soldier The Letter Antoine receives his mobilization order. He is a postman, now a soldier. He leaves Vianne and Sophie.

Mobilization from "The Nightingale". The Postman Becomes a Soldier The Letter Antoine receives his mobilization order. He is a postman, now a soldier. He leaves Vianne and Sophie.

The Postman Becomes a Soldier The Letter Antoine receives his mobilization order. He is a postman, now a soldier. He leaves Vianne and Sophie. The Promise He promises to return. Vianne clings to that promise. She does not know if she will see him again. The Train They say goodbye at the station. Antoine merges into the crowd of soldiers. Vianne is alone.

Prisoner of War Prisoner of War from "The Nightingale". The Oflag Captured Antoine is captured and sent to an Oflag in Germany. He is an officer. He survives on meager rations. Letters He writes to Vianne.

Prisoner of War from "The Nightingale". The Oflag Captured Antoine is captured and sent to an Oflag in Germany. He is an officer. He survives on meager rations. Letters He writes to Vianne.

The Oflag Captured Antoine is captured and sent to an Oflag in Germany. He is an officer. He survives on meager rations. Letters He writes to Vianne. The letters are censored. He dreams of her cooking. He holds onto hope. The Escape As the war turns, the Germans become brutal. Antoine is beaten. He decides to escape. He would rather die trying than stay.

Homecoming Homecoming from "The Nightingale". A Changed Man The Walk Antoine escapes and walks home. He is thin, scarred, his left arm damaged. He finds Vianne at Le Jardin. The Reunion They embrace.

Homecoming from "The Nightingale". A Changed Man The Walk Antoine escapes and walks home. He is thin, scarred, his left arm damaged. He finds Vianne at Le Jardin. The Reunion They embrace.

A Changed Man The Walk Antoine escapes and walks home. He is thin, scarred, his left arm damaged. He finds Vianne at Le Jardin. The Reunion They embrace. He sees the dead apple tree with ribbons. He knows she has suffered too. The Lie Vianne tells him she is pregnant. He accepts the lie. They choose to move forward together.

August 1939

1940 – 1944

October 1944