Lecture: ‘Unspoken Family Matters, or the Impossible Biography’ by Jean-Marc Lemonnier

Join us on Wednesday 18 November at the Falaise Memorial for a new lecture as part of the ‘Mercredis de l’Histoire’ series.

On the programme: ‘Family taboos, or the impossible biography’ by Jean-Marc Lemonnier

Rooted in a history told from the perspective of ordinary people, this biographical account explores the hopes and misfortunes of a gardener from the Manche region during the interwar period, followed by his imprisonment at Stalag XIA between 1940 and 1945. Driven by his grandson, the account lifts the veil on family secrets and sheds light on the life of this man from the working classes of the first half of the 20th century. Faced with incomplete sources, the author patiently reconstructs this unique life story, whilst questioning historical writing methods and narrative techniques in order to convey his grandfather’s personality and emotions. Consequently, the reader navigates between the gardener’s lived experience and the biographer’s uncertainties.

Jean-Marc Lemonnier is a Senior Lecturer (HDR), affiliated with the HisTéMé research laboratory at the University of Caen.

A book signing of his work *Entrelacs biographique. Un destin singulier au cœur du premier XXe siècle* (Presses universitaires de Caen, 2025) will take place following the event.


Practical information:
✔ Wednesday 18 November at 11.00 am at the Falaise Memorial
✔ Free admission, subject to availability