The Story

Our narrator, a man now living a quiet, respectable life, decides to write down his memoirs. But these aren't the usual tales of war or politics. He was a burglar. He walks us through his early life, how he fell into a life of crime, and the clever tricks of his trade. We get inside his head as he plans jobs, navigates close calls, and interacts with everyone from wealthy victims to fellow crooks. The story builds toward the final, fateful job—the one that changed everything and convinced him to retire. It's a journey from the shadows of Parisian high society back into the light of an ordinary life.

Why You Should Read It

This book won me over with its voice. The narrator is witty, self-aware, and strangely relatable. Galopin doesn't create a monster or a romantic rogue. He gives us a man who made bad choices and is trying to make sense of them. The real tension isn't in the heists (though they're fun), but in the moral tug-of-war. Can you regret your past but also miss the thrill? The writing has this dry, observational humor that makes the pages fly by. It feels like having a fascinating conversation with a very clever, slightly mysterious old man over a cup of coffee.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who enjoy character-driven historical fiction with a dash of wit. If you like stories about redemption, unconventional lives, or just a peek into a different time and place (late 19th/early 20th century France), this is a real find. It's not a fast-paced thriller; it's a thoughtful, often funny, portrait of a man looking back. A true hidden treasure for anyone tired of the same old stories.