The action in the novel follows closely historical observations and descriptions as seen from the French perspective.

The main characters are Napoleon, Sebastian Roque who becomes his scribe during the campaign, and Captain D'Herbigny of the Guard.

The defeat of the French army is relived through their experiences.

The Retreat is the second book of a trilogy by Rambaud about the decline of Napoleon, describing his first major setback; the other two books cover Napoleon’s earlier defeat at Aspern-Essling in The Battle and his later banishment at Elba in Napoleon’s Exile (published as The Exile in the United Kingdom).

As explained by Rambaud in the attached Historical Notes, the French title Il neigeait (meaning "it snowed") refers to a poem by Victor Hugo that is entitled Expiation (atonement) part of Les Châtiments (The Punishments) and describes the retreat from Russia.