Mad

On August 27, 1934, 56 teenagers escaped from a juvenile colony on the French island of Belle-Île. They could not get off the island. A hunt was announced for the runaway boys—some no older than ten years old. Guards, gendarmes,... local residents, and even rare tourists eagerly searched the island for the emaciated, exhausted fugitives. A reward of 20 francs was offered for each boy, regardless of whether he was ten or eighteen years old. All the escapees would be caught, except for one...

This story is completely true. The colony on Belle-Île existed since the late 19th century, and its inhabitants were treated very cruelly. Many of them had committed no crimes; they were merely orphans or foundlings who needed somewhere to be placed. Even very young boys ended up there. The escape of the wards, as they were called, but in reality prisoners, was not made up by the author. However, the main character, Jules Bonneau, did not exist. According to some documents, there were 55 runaways and all were caught; according to others—56, and one was never found by the pursuers. Sorg Chalandon, by his own account, slipped into the skin of that fifty-sixth and wrote the story of a teenager similar to himself—a lonely one, abandoned by loved ones, punished without guilt, dreaming of revenge and mentally dealing with his offenders, so he wouldn't have to do it in reality. An incredibly dynamic, emotional novel. While reading it, you cannot help but feel for the fate of the young runaway.