Louis Pergaud Quotes

“With the ripping of smocks and the clatter of sabots, missiles and invectives fly--the Longevernes have “flabby balls” and the Velrans ‘awl have hary asses.”

″... and they are forced to return home, where they are sure to get a beating from their parents.”

“The children of Longeverne, Lebrac and his army, and the army of Velrans, led by Aztec de Gués, fight each other without mercy, with sticks, stones, and their bare hands.”

“It describes the “war” between two gangs from rival villages, Longeverne and Velrans, in the countryside of Franche-Comté.”

“The title comes from the goal of the war, to get as many buttons as possible from the opposing side by cutting them off shirts and trousers. For the most part, the story is told from the point of view of the children from Longeverne.”

“Those who are unfortunate enough to fall into enemy hands are certain to face humiliation: their buttons and laces are cut off.”

“Lebrac is so driven by his desire to win each battle, that he has his troops use unorthodox fighting methods... ”

“His troops use unorthodox fighting methods, such as fighting naked to prevent damage to their clothes, having girls sew their clothes when they are damaged, among other things.”

“As tenaciously as the Guelphs and the Ghibellines, the boys of the villages of Longevernes and Velrans perpetuate a vendetta of hundreds of years.”