Ahead of the release of his film Mes amis, mes amours , the Institut français is delighted to welcome best-selling author Marc Levy to launch the English translation of his new novel Children of Freedom (HarperCollins, 2008). A fast-paced, deeply moving story based on the the remarkable real-life story of struggle and survival of a WW2 Resistance unit composed largely of teenage immigrants, Children of Freedom has a particular resonance for its author, whose father fought with the brigade. Published around the world – in 39 languages – Levy enjoys a huge international readership; to date, his books have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. His eighth novel, All Those Things We Never Said, was published in France last month.

Marc Levy will be in conversation with Robert Hanks, literary editor of The Independent.