L'Empire des solitudes

A demented dictator, a few condemned followers, a forgotten palace in the desert and no more than seven short days before the end of a world A condemned continent, a poor country and a dust-ridden capital in the hands of rebels. A defeated pure-blooded prince escapes to the desert to seek refuge in the palace of his youth. For unique escort: a corrupt minister, a submissive concubine, a mute servant, two hardened officers and sixteen fanatical soldiers. All must come to terms with life's illusions and interpret the call of death. Among them lurks a traitor who has seven short days to assassinate the prince. The players are all in position on the chess board, the countdown has begun. > Marc Durin-Valois was editor-in-chief of le Figaro and Stratégies. Today he is head of and founder of the magazine Pouvoirs d'entreprises. Memories of his youth travelling the five continents with his father, an IMF expert, have greatly inspired this novel.