"The Blood of Others" was written by Simone De Beauvoir at the height of the German occupation of France. The story is based around a French Resistance leader, Jean Blomart and the progress of his love affair with the tragic heroine, Helene. It is told in flashback, as Helene lies dying from a gunshot wound. Simone De Beauvoir relates this tale of unrequited, yet finally realised love with the lyrical eloquence of a poet. She establishes a conspiratoral air of intimacy with the reader that draws you in and holds you prisoner to her ideas, as well as her imagination. Through Helene and Jean, the Existential questions of "why am I here? or "what is my purpose?" are carefully explored in a clear, unconfused fashion.
Addionally, the work gives the reader a vivid impression of life under occupation. De Beauvoir saturates the atmosphere with tense desparation as the Parisians await the arrival of the enemy invasion. She tells of Helene's horrified impotence as she witnesses the rounding-up of the Jews for deportation to Germany. And her account of Jean's patriotic resistance to the German aggressor is haunting in its sincerity.
Although Simone De Beauvoir felt this novel inferior, I consider this a good access point to her work. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend anyone interested in an intelligent read should not to hesitate to pick it up. "The Blood of Others" is an enlightening experience you won't find disappointing.
