Beau Ideal (novel)

Beau Ideal is the third novel in P.C. Wren's Beau Geste trilogy. Published in 1928, it follows the adventures of John Geste, brother of the titular Beau Geste, and his continued service in the French Foreign Legion in North Africa.

The novel explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the romantic ideals of honor within the Legion. Unlike Beau Geste, which focuses on the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a valuable sapphire, Beau Ideal centers on the search for a missing Englishman, Otis Vanbrugh, and the Legion's struggles against hostile Berber tribes.

The story delves into the psychological toll of life in the Legion and the disillusionment that can set in when faced with the harsh realities of colonial warfare. The characters grapple with their own personal demons and search for meaning and purpose amidst the violence and hardship. John Geste, along with his comrades, confronts difficult moral choices and must decide how far they are willing to go to uphold their ideals, even in the face of betrayal and death. While offering adventure and heroism, Beau Ideal also provides a more critical perspective on the romanticized image of the Foreign Legion presented in Beau Geste.