The Order of the Day

In this eye-opening narrative that won the 2017 Prix Goncourt, Éric Vuillard explores the hidden dynamics and murky machinations behind Austria's annexation by Nazi Germany. Set against the backdrop of secret meetings among influential industrialists and Nazi leaders, the story unveils a far less glorious reality than the propaganda suggests, revealing a mix of intimidation and bluff rather than inevitable victory. Through this compelling history, Vuillard warns of the dangers of willful blindness and highlights that the worst outcomes are often not predetermined.