''Les Âmes grises'' is a novel by the French author

Philippe Claudel Philippe Claudel (born 2 February 1962) is a French writer and film director. Claudel was born in Dombasle-sur-Meurthe, Meurthe-et-Moselle. In addition to his writing, Claudel is a Professor of Literature at the University of Nancy. He directe ...

. It is a first person narrative which revolves around the murder of a young girl in a small provincial French town near the

Western Front Western Front or West Front may refer to: Military frontiers *Western Front (World War I), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (World War II), a military frontier to the west of Germany *Western Front (Russian Empire), a majo ...

in 1917. The book was published in France in 2005 and won the Prix Renaudot. It was also shortlisted for the Prix Goncourt and the Prix Femina. ''Les Âmes grises'' has been translated into 28 languages. The British edition, translated by Adriana Hunter, has been released under the title ''Grey Souls'', while the American translation by Hoyt Rogers is called ''By a Slow River''. The book was also turned into a movie of the same name by director

Yves Angelo Yves Angelo (born 22 January 1956) is a French cinematographer, film director and screenwriter. Angelo has won the César Award for Best Cinematography three times: in 1990 for '' Nocturne indien'', in 1992 for '' Tous les matins du monde'', ...

External links

Complete Review page
2005 French novels Novels by Philippe Claudel French historical novels Novels set during World War I Novels set in France Fiction set in 1917 French novels adapted into films {{2000s-WWI-novel-stub