Imagine Paris in the 1890s. The Eiffel Tower is still a controversial new addition. Artists and thinkers crowd into cafes, debating the world's future. Into this scene walks a man who calls himself Excelsior. He's calm, intelligent, and makes an outrageous claim: he is a visitor from the year 2000, sent back to observe and guide.

The Story

The plot follows Excelsior as he integrates into Parisian society. He doesn't arrive in a flashy machine; he simply is. He begins sharing his knowledge in salons and public talks, describing a coming century of incredible change—advances in technology, shifts in social structures, and new ideas about human potential. The city splits. A forward-thinking journalist becomes his ardent supporter, seeing hope in his predictions. The scientific establishment, however, scoffs, branding him a fantast. Religious figures see him as a blasphemer. The central tension builds not from chase scenes, but from these intense intellectual and social clashes. Is he a prophet, a madman, or a clever fraud playing a very long game? The story watches Paris wrestle with a future it can barely imagine.

Why You Should Read It

What grabbed me wasn't the accuracy of the predictions (some are hilariously off), but the human reaction to them. Larmandie is really holding up a mirror to his own time. The characters debating Excelsior are arguing about progress, faith, and the fear of the unknown—themes that feel incredibly fresh today. We're still having the same fights about AI and social change. Excelsior himself is fascinating. He's not a flashy hero; he's often weary and saddened by the gap between his world and theirs. You feel the loneliness of someone who sees a path forward that others refuse to walk. It's a quiet, thoughtful book that makes you look at our current debates about technology and society in a whole new light.

Final Verdict

This is a perfect pick for readers who love historical fiction with a speculative twist. If you enjoy novels that explore ideas more than action, and you're curious about the feelExcelsior offers a uniquely poignant look at hope, doubt, and the eternal struggle between the present and the future.