If you have followed this website or the Facebook page for any amount of time, then you’ll well understand how much time I spend on archival research. Let me tell you, it’s way more than I should be! It’s hugely addictive which is often fuelled by gems like this. Le mystère d’Angkor is a wonderous work of fiction set among the ruins of Angkor and broader Cambodia written by Félix Léonnec and published in 1931.
I came across this work by chance when researching the tour and article that followed Exploring the Wonders of Longvek and Oudong. Usually, I bookmark little discoveries like this and then forget about them, forever vanquished to the unwieldy pile of things I am going to circle back to one day. But, the thought of a dragon flying around Angkor Wat is hard to pass by. Moreover, the antagonists in the story are, you guessed it, smuggling and looting ancient artifacts, something that was likely highly prevalent during the colonial era, beyond the “legal” exporting of artifacts under French authority.
According to Wikipedia, Félix Léonnec was a writer and director, but it’s unclear that he visited Cambodia. Regardless, he weaves the story around Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and the Bayon, the Tonle Sap, Kompong-Luong, Kompong-Tralach, Kompong-Chhnang, the Dangrek Mountains, Wat Ounalom, the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh and Wat Preah Keo among many others. All of this is set in the 1920s and towards the end of the reign of King Sisowath.
A synopsis and chapter summary follows
In 1927, a terrifying event disrupts the tranquillity of Cambodia: a massive flying creature, described as a dragon from local legends, appears over the temples of Angkor. Its presence causes panic among locals and foreigners alike, prompting a mix of fear, awe, and speculation.
As the story unfolds, Mado Jacquet, a journalist based in Saigon, is assigned to investigate the phenomenon. Her inquiries reveal a blend of historical legend and modern exploitation, as the dragon’s appearance is linked to a group using Cambodia’s myths for personal gain. The narrative weaves between ancient stories, local responses, and colonial dynamics, culminating in a confrontation that challenges belief and exposes a broader conspiracy.
Chapter 1: The Dragon’s Arrival
On June 15, 1927, a loud commotion breaks the afternoon calm in the Cambodian countryside. Witnesses describe a monstrous creature flying over Angkor’s temples, its form matching depictions of dragons from local lore. As it passes over Angkor Wat and Phnom Penh, fear spreads, leaving behind a trail of destruction and confusion.
Chapter 2: News in Saigon
The dragon’s appearance becomes a topic of speculation in Saigon, where the initial reports are met with disbelief and mockery. However, as more credible accounts emerge, the event begins to garner serious attention. Mado Jacquet, a determined journalist, is tasked with investigating the incident, setting the stage for her journey to Cambodia.
Chapter 3: The Legend of Atoun
Through accounts from local monks and officials, Mado learns about Atoun, a mythical dragon defeated centuries ago by the heroine Roum-say-Sack. The legend describes Atoun as a creature of vengeance, promising to return and wreak havoc. The connection between this story and the recent events raises questions about the nature of the sightings.
Chapter 4: Mado’s Investigation
Mado embarks on her journey to uncover the truth, travelling from Saigon to Phnom Penh and into the heart of Angkor. Her investigation reveals growing tensions among the local population, split between viewing the dragon as a divine omen and a harbinger of disaster.
Chapter 5: The Dragon’s Rampage
The dragon reappears, causing further destruction during a royal ceremony in Phnom Penh. Witnesses describe its fiery breath and massive wingspan. Local authorities scramble to address the panic, while Mado observes the chaos firsthand. Tensions rise as many see the creature as fulfilling the prophecy tied to Atoun.
Chapter 6: Uncovering the Conspiracy
Mado’s investigation leads her to evidence suggesting human involvement in the dragon’s appearance. Interviews with locals and officials reveal a pattern of strange activity near Angkor in the weeks leading up to the sightings. Mado begins to suspect the dragon is not a supernatural entity but a constructed device used for deliberate fear-mongering.
Chapter 7: The Conspirators
Mado uncovers the identities of the conspirators, an international group exploiting local legends for financial and political gain. Their leader, Vastine, a Slav with expertise in mechanical engineering, designed the dragon to terrorize the population. Others, including smugglers and pirates, use the distraction to conduct illicit trade. The group’s operations centre on Angkor’s remote areas, where they manipulate myths to control and exploit the local population.
Chapter 8: Confrontation at Angkor
In a climactic sequence, Mado and her allies confront the conspirators in the Angkor ruins. A fierce battle ensues, culminating in the destruction of the mechanical dragon. The conspirators’ plans unravel, and most are captured, though some escape or meet violent ends. The confrontation brings an end to the immediate chaos but leaves lingering questions about the legends and their enduring power.
Epilogue: Reflections on the Trail
With the conspiracy exposed, Mado reflects on her experiences and the deeper significance of Cambodia’s myths and history. She returns to Saigon, where her articles reveal the truth behind the dragon while acknowledging the cultural weight of the legend. The story closes on a note of resolution, with Mado’s work bridging the past and the present.
Le mystère d’Angkor is available via Gallica, Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF).