GRIEF-STRICKEN BY the realisation that his wife no longer loves him, timid, self-effacing Paul Peachy enlists as a Private in the army, and leaves Milwaukee for the trenches of WWI France. When his company captures the infamous German spy Harry Stroller, Peachy - who speaks fluent German - is called upon to interrogate him. The next day, after a night spent in conversation with the spy, Peachy himself is captured by the enemy in No Man's Land, having lost his nerve during an attack. In desperation, he decides to impersonate the spy he had been interrogating. Always aware that discovery must be around the corner, he falls in love with Annie Breton, a French prostitute, with whom he experiences a few final days of happiness before things take the inevitable turn for the worse. MY FRENCH WHORE is a skilful, touching and often very funny début novel about humanity's latent potential for heroism and happiness. ?A touching, humorous and melancholy story of love and accidental espionage during World War One... Warm and hugely enjoyable... A little gem.? The Bookseller GENE WILDER has appeared in, co-written and produced over 30 films and made countless TV and stage appearances. He is perhaps best known for playing the eponymous lead in 1971's Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory and his many collaborations with the comedian Richard Pryor and the writer/director Mel Brooks. His collaboration with Brooks led to his two Oscar nominations, as supporting actor in The Producers in 1968 and as co-writer (with Brooks) of Young Frankenstein in 1974. His autobiography, Kiss Me Like A Stranger, was published in 2005.
