Summary

In Book I, Chapter 19, France adopted German time and the first German ordinance. The law went into effect on October 3rd and banned anyone of Jewish descent from “holding any sort of public office” (99). Shortly after, Ephraïm was the first person to register himself. He was convinced that if he cooperated with the government, the family’s chances of receiving naturalization papers would increase. However, he was not legally allowed to own a business, so he wrote farmer as his employment on the paperwork. Later, when he was summoned to give more information, he was labeled as unemployed and stateless. In Chapter 20, Myriam began tutoring Vincente Picabia. As they spent more time together, he invited her to a party at his home. When she arrived, the flat was dark and empty. They talked and ate oranges as...