A chance encounter in post-war Paris between a schoolteacher and a social outcast ignites a singular, obsessive quest for justice against hidden Nazi war criminals. Sharli Bandol, a teacher, finds her life altered when she forms an unlikely bond with Poulsifer, a man known as the Rat Man of Paris. Poulsifer, a drifter living on the fringes of society, directs his existence toward the identification and retribution of former Nazis residing in the city. The narrative explores the psychological weight of historical trauma and the moral ambiguity of vigilante justice within the atmospheric streets of Paris. The story is presented through a prose style that emphasizes the internal states of its protagonists as they navigate a world still haunted by the shadows of the recent conflict.

Readers frequently highlight the dense, idiosyncratic prose style that characterizes the author's approach to this narrative. Discussion often centers on the unusual dynamic between the two protagonists and how their shared obsession serves as a lens for examining post-war guilt. Critics often note the book's ability to capture the lingering malaise of a city attempting to reconcile with its recent history. The pacing is generally described as deliberate, prioritizing thematic depth and character study over traditional plot progression. Many readers find the exploration of the Rat Man's motivations to be a provocative look at the nature of justice and personal accountability.