French writer Francois Mauriac is one of the most prominent figures in the literature of the 20th century. A Nobel Prize winner, he created his own special, Mauriacian, type of novel. Continuing the tradition established by O. de Balzac and E. Zola, Mauriac explores the subtlest nuances of human psychology. In the center of the narrative of most of his works are relationships within the family. Life constantly tests Mauriac's heroes for strength, and few of them withstand these tests with honor.... Monkey, degenerate, lowlife - these are the epithets that the heroine of the story gives to her son. He just looks too much like his father, her husband. And too often and painfully she reminds her that a marriage of convenience brought her neither wealth, nor position in society, nor happiness. And just as many women find salvation in the love of their child, Paul de Cernay found an outlet for her irritation and resentment - little Guillou.