FEATURED BOOK
A Coeur Perdu
International Author, Speaker & Cultural Commentator
A compelling debut that explores the fragile ties between memory, identity, and the secrets we carry within.
OVERVIEW
A Story of a Place and Its People
A Coeur Perdu is a psychological thriller and romance fiction debut written in French – a novel that moves with the quiet insistence of a memory you cannot outrun. Set across the professional world of international institutions and the private terrain of grief and longing, it introduced Siwar Al Assad as a writer of emotional precision and moral seriousness.
SYNOPSIS
A Story of Courage, Loss & Resilience
After receiving a heart transplant at a remarkably young age, Paul Ollenson emerges with a renewed sense of purpose. He devotes himself to serving others within the United Nations and marries Elisabeth, a brilliant American lawyer. But as their life together unfolds, Paul senses a growing disconnect – his mind and heart drawn increasingly to the memory of Carla, a woman from his past who vanished without explanation. What really happened during his operation? And why is he only now learning that Carla’s parents died in a mysterious boating accident? Part love story, part psychological thriller, A Coeur Perdu explores the fragile ties between memory, identity, and the secrets we carry within.
THEMES
Profound Themes. Timeless Questions.
Memory
The way the past refuses to remain past - especially when it has never been resolved.
Identity
Who Paul is, and who he has been quietly not allowing himself to be.
Longing
The specific grief of loving someone whose story you were never allowed to finish.
Truth
What it costs to pursue what you were told to stop looking for.
CHARACTERS
Unforgettable People. Unforgettable Journeys.
Meet the characters whose lives, choices, and relationships bring the story to life.
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
A Nation at a Crossroads
The novel draws on the landscape of international professional life in postwar Europe – the institutions, the careful decorum, and the personal histories concealed beneath it. French literature has long explored this territory: the interior life held under pressure, the emotional knowledge that exceeds what language is permitted to say. A Coeur Perdu sits within and extends that tradition.
BEHIND THE BOOK
A Personal Journey
“A Coeur Perdu began with a question about second chances – not the romantic kind, but the moral kind. When you are given more time, what do you do with what you left unfinished? Paul’s answer is the novel.”
TESTIMONIALS
WHAT READERS ARE SAYING
Voices that reflect the impact, depth, and emotion behind Siwar Al Assad’s work.
“Palmyre Pour Toujours is quietly devastating. it changes the way you think about what we lose when we lose history.”
Cultural Heritage
Reader Review
“Le Temps D’une Saison has the pace of a thriller and the heart of a love story. it transported me completely.”
Historical fiction
Reader Review
“A rich and imaginative world brought to life with warmth and moral seriousness. Altana stays with you.”
Young adult fiction
Reader Review
“A Coeur Perdu Is A Thrilling, Lyrical, And Deeply Human Debut. Siwar Al Assad Writes With Emotional Precision And Philosophical Depth.”
Marianne Duval
Reader & Blogger
“Each of Siwar Al Assad’s books unveils a different layer of the human condition. His work is unified by compassion, depth, and an unwavering voice for peace.”
Karim Saidi
Literary Critic
“Guard Thy Heart Captures The Emotional Gravity Of Love, Loss, And Ethical Awakening. A Beautifully Crafted Novel.”
Joseph Turner
Reader & Reviewer
READER GUIDE
For Deeper Conversations
Discussion questions, themes, and resources to help readers explore the novel’s ideas, characters, and historical context.
INSIDE THE GUIDE
- Discussion Questions
- Key Themes
- Historical Context
- Activity Ideas
- Further Reading
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Common Questions.
Find answers to common questions about the book, the author, and the ideas behind the story.
Memory, history, and the quiet courage of ordinary people navigating extraordinary circumstances.
Born in Damascus, educated across Europe – shaped by many places, rooted in one.
Identity, belonging, love, cultural memory, and the moral weight of the choices we make under pressure.
Use the speaking inquiry form on the Speaking page to share your event details.
All titles are available through major international retailers. Visit the Books page for direct links.
GET YOUR COPY
Available Worldwide
Find A Coeur Perdu At Your Favorite Retailer.
CONTINUE THE JOURNEY
More Stories to Explore
Discover other books by Siwar Al Assad and step into new worlds of history, love, and unforgettable people.
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