world. At the start of the book, the author sets the scene in Marseille just before the outbreak of World War I, capturing the city's tense atmosphere as citizens speculate about the impending war. The narrator looks for information on Cézanne, depicting a lively backdrop filled with local color and people. As the narrative unfolds, the focus shifts to Cézanne's family lineage, detailing his upbringing and the complexities of his relationship with his father, who envisioned a more conventional career for him. The beginning establishes both a historical context and a personal connection to Cézanne’s world, inviting readers to delve deeper into his life and artistic evolution. (This is an automatically generated summary.)