Praise

“Swashbuckling historical fiction… For all its philosophical depth [The Brethren] is a hugely entertaining romp… The comparisons with Dumas seem both natural and deserved and the next 12 instalments [are] a thrilling prospect.” — Guardian
 
“A vivid novel by France’s modern Dumas… [there is] plenty of evidence in the rich characterisation and vivid historical detail that a reader’s long-term commitment will be amply rewarded.” — Sunday Times
 
“Cleverly depicts France’s epic religious wars through the intimate prism of one family’s experience. It’s beautifully written too.” — Metro.
 
“We’re swept away by triumph, tragedy, action and adventure… It’s a novel like this that makes reviewing one of the best jobs in the world.” — The Book Bag, Five Star Review

“His readers appreciate his recipe for writing that is as political as it is entertaining.” — Deutschlandfunk

“Be warned: even just a few pages can lead to addiction.” — Neckar-Tauber Trend

“With much wit, irony and a knack for juicy details, [Merle] brings alive his country’s history.” — Literatur-Report

“For fans of historical fiction, The Brethren is a delight to savour.” — Thüringer Allgemeine

“A spectacular evocation of sixteenth- and seventeenth-century France.” — Independent

“Thrilling! Robert Merle rides his novel at full tilt across a richly eventful period of history.” — Le Magazine Littéraire

“Robert Merle is one of the very few French writers who have attained both popular success and the admiration of critics.” — Le Figaro

“A wonderful, colourful, breathlessly narrated historical panorama.” — Zeitpunkt

“A master of the historical novel.” — Guardian

“Breathes new life into the classic adventure story and great historical epic.” — Les Nouvelles Littéraires

“France’s greatest popular novelist.” — Le Monde

“The Dumas of the twentieth century.” — Neues Deutschland