First published in 1932, Max Du Veuzit's L'Aumone (The Alms) feels both timeless and distinctly of its era. It captures a slice of French life between the wars, where old-world manners brush up against modern anxieties.

The Story

The plot follows Julien Dorgelès, a successful but somewhat disillusioned painter. Out of the blue, he inherits a modest country house from a distant, eccentric uncle. The catch? The will states he must live there for one year and give money or aid to any person who comes to his door asking for charity. He can't turn anyone away. Julien, seeing it as a quirky experiment and a chance for peace to paint, agrees. At first, it's a trickle of genuine, if inconvenient, local need. But word spreads. The stream of visitors becomes a river—the genuinely poor, the cleverly deceptive, the simply lonely, and a few whose requests feel strangely pointed. Julien's orderly life is upended. The central question shifts from 'Who will ask?' to 'Why am I really here, and what does my mysterious benefactor want me to learn—or discover?'

Why You Should Read It

This book surprised me. It's less about a shocking twist and more about the slow, meticulous observation of human nature. Du Veuzit is brilliant at sketching characters in just a few pages—you feel you know the hopeful faces and shifting eyes at Julien's door. The tension is psychological. As Julien's savings dwindle and his patience frays, you feel his growing paranoia and his dawning compassion warring inside him. The house itself, La Bicoque, becomes a wonderful character: a silent witness, a trap, and eventually, a refuge. It’s a story about obligation, class, and the hidden costs of generosity.

Final Verdict

L'Aumone is perfect for readers who enjoy classic, character-driven novels with a subtle pulse of suspense. Think of it as a French cousin to stories by Patricia Highsmith or Ruth Rendell, where the drama comes from moral dilemmas and social observation rather than violence. If you're a fan of historical fiction that immerses you in a specific time and place, or if you just love a good premise that makes you think 'What would I do?', this book is a quiet, rewarding find. It’s a story that lingers, making you look twice at the next stranger at your own door.