The Foundling Boy, By Michel Deon: Book review This vivid portrait of the inter-war years opens in 1919 when a baby boy is found abandoned outside the house of Albert and Jeanne Arnaud. Raised by the Arnauds, Jean also attracts the attention of a family of local landowners. Life begins, however, when he strikes out on his own. Julian Evans's robust translation does justice to Deon's classic period piece.