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Human Traces by Sebastian Faulks: book review



Human Traces (2006) is set in England, France, and Austria from 1870-1916. 

Beginning with two schoolboys at 16 years of age, one in Brittany, France, and the other in London, England, it tells of their fascination with science, medicine, and the condition of the mind.

Jacques Rebiere in Brittany has a brother Olivier, older by four years with progressive ‘madness’ that he is devoted to. Jacques wants to improve his mental health. Thomas Midwinter in London has a sister Sonia, intelligent and ambitious, and totally devoted to her brother. She wants to see him progress in his career of pychiatry. 

At age 20, the three of them—Jacques, Thomas, and Sonia—meet in Deauville, in northern France during vacation, and for the first time, they find like-minded friends. They swear to remain friends forever. 

At age 30 in 1884, together they establish the Schloss Seeblick Sanitarium and Clinic for Nervous Disorders. It is in the beautiful lake region of Carinthia, Austria. Finally, Jacques can give his brother Olivier the health care he needs, free from being sent to a government asylum. 

Patient Katharina is strong-willed with her eyes on Thomas. As they marry, it drives a wedge between Thomas and Jacques, bringing out their differing views of psychiatric treatments.

World War 1 brings further divisions between the two innovative psychiatrists, as well as their own tragedies. 

This epic book is beautifully written, fixated on the human mind set amid the science, history, and politics of the times. The characters are complex and inquisitive, career-driven yet empathetic, and well-liked. Although long and scientific, this is an easy-to-read novel and highly interesting. 









MARTINA NICOLLSis an international aid and development consultant, and the authorof:- Similar But Different in the Animal Kingdom(2017), The Shortness of Life: A Mongolian Lament (2015), Liberia’s Deadest Ends (2012), Bardot’s Comet (2011), Kashmir on a Knife-Edge (2010) and The Sudan Curse (2009).
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