A French doctor finds himself captured by Turkish forces during the First World War, forcing him to confront the fragility of human existence amidst the brutality of conflict.

As the protagonist navigates the physical confinement of a prisoner-of-war camp, he grapples with the philosophical implications of death and the persistence of the human spirit. The narrative framework utilizes a reflective, often fragmented style to mirror the protagonist's internal state as he observes his fellow captives. He must reconcile his professional duty to heal with the overwhelming reality of systemic destruction, facing both the external threat of his captors and the internal threat of nihilism. The world is defined by the harsh, claustrophobic environment of the camp, where logical structures of society have collapsed under the weight of total war.

Discussion often centers on the dense, philosophical prose that characterizes Malraux's approach to the war novel. Readers frequently highlight the stark atmosphere and the author's ability to maintain a sense of urgency despite the heavy intellectual content. Critics often note that the book serves as a precursor to the existentialist movement, focusing more on the internal struggle of the individual than on traditional plot progression. The balance between the grim reality of the setting and the abstract questions posed by the characters remains a primary point of interest for those analyzing the work. Many readers find the pacing deliberate, requiring a high level of engagement to fully grasp the thematic depth presented throughout the narrative.