nature of happiness. At the start of the novel, the protagonist arrives at the Place de l'Étoile in Paris on a commemorative evening, amidst a crowd gathered to pay homage to the Unknown Soldier. His initial observations reflect a sense of desolation and a lack of spectacle, as the significance of the event feels overshadowed by his inner turmoil. As he navigates through the crowd, he becomes increasingly aware of the shared sorrow surrounding him, leading to a deep introspection regarding his connections to war memories, particularly those involving his late friend Maurice and the troubling presence of Marthe. The opening sets the stage for a poignant reflection on love and loss, suggesting that these themes will be central throughout the narrative as the protagonist grapples with his past. (This is an automatically generated summary.)