Alphonse Daudet 
Robert Helmont 

Robert Helmont is a novella by French author Alphonse Daudet. It is partly based on Daudet’s actual experiences during the Franco-Prussian War of 1870-71, as described in the Preface. Robert Helmont breaks his leg on the day of the start of the war. Unable to flee to Paris ahead of the advancing "Saxons", he decides to hide in an hermitage deep in the Senart woods. For the next 5 months he has a series of adventures, as told by Daudet in colourful and naturalistic prose. Historically accurate details about costume, architecture, food and mannerisms provide an excellent painting of the time. Hot air balloons, messenger pigeons and late night cut-throat murders lend the novel an air of high adventure, mixed with a love of nature and solitude. (Wikipedia)