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2024-11-23 17:25:00
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First there are the facts. Or rather the news. On August 14, 2017 at 8.10 pm a gray BMW crossed the intersection in the town of Sept-Sorts. He accelerates and deliberately crashes onto the terrace of a pizzeria, aiming for the table where Sacha and Betty have just sat down with their three children for a family evening. The car has become a killing machine and the driver a murderer. It leaves behind dozens of injured people, five of whom are in absolute emergency. Among them, Angela and Dimitri, two children of Betty and Sacha. Dimitri will manage to escape, Angela will die in the restaurant while the murderer, David P., is immediately arrested by the police.
Four years later, the trial of this scary story begins. The book’s author, Justin Morin, is a journalist. He is sent to cover this event by the radio station that employs him. Justin is used to the news, but this time, perhaps because he has become a young father, his natural empathy is different. “I think I can say today that it’s fear,” writes. Obsessed by this story, he wants to know more, meet Betty and Sacha, understand the bonds that unite all these beings broken by too heavy events. Try to understand how the parents survive, devastated by pain and absence. But he also wants to hear from the defendant’s sister, Lisa, and learn other truths: why did David P. suddenly speed up and who is this mute and vague boy? Lisa refuses, the journalist can’t get this other point of view. He decides to use fiction to compose the figure of the murderer’s sister, protective and at the same time discouraged, strong and fragile. I just imagine who David is.
Actually, the first part of We are no longer normal people manages to keep his distance by distilling even the most sensitive information. Justin Morin describes well the pain of loss, the time that doesn’t pass, the anger and then the desperation. But the second, therefore romantic, is more risky. Sometimes the author seems to take a leap into the void, looking for support that is slipping away. Then regain mastery of the story by asking questions instead of seeking answers. The method, the prejudice, of this book, which is neither strictly a ”true crime” nor really a novel, develops on a thread that cannot be broken. The writing, carnal, full of concern, expresses the faithfulness of the point of view, the sincerity of the author. Justin Morin doesn’t betray anyone. But he knows he won’t get to the truth, leaving behind black holes of loss and ghosts that will never speak.
We are no longer normal people by Justin Morin, La Manufacture de livres editions, 250 pp, €16.90.
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How does Justin Morin balance factual reporting with fictional storytelling in his exploration of real-life events?
Interview between Time.news Editor and Justin Morin, Author and Journalist
Time.news Editor (TNE): Welcome, Justin! It’s a pleasure to have you with us today to discuss your thought-provoking book, “We are no longer normal people.” It seems striking that you transitioned from reporting hard news to an almost investigative, literary approach. Can you explain what prompted that shift?
Justin Morin (JM): Thank you for having me! It was a transition that felt very natural, although it’s one I didn’t foresee. The tragic events I covered—specifically, the car attack in Sept-Sorts—struck a profound chord with me. After becoming a father, my perspective on such incidents shifted. The fear and empathy I felt as a parent made it impossible for me to merely report on the facts. I was drawn to explore not just the crime but the real human stories behind it.
TNE: You touch on the impact of fear in your writing. In your book, you mention that your natural empathy transformed into fear throughout this process. Can you elaborate on that transformation and how it influenced your storytelling?
JM: Absolutely. As a reporter, you often try to maintain a certain distance from the stories you cover. But surrounding this tragic event, I found myself deeply affected. I wanted to understand more than just the ‘what’ of the story; I needed to dive into the ‘why’ and the human experiences enveloping it. This shift led me to fill in the gaps with fictional elements, allowing me to capture the emotions and relationships that real-life journalism sometimes can’t convey. It was about giving a voice to those people shattered by the incident, like Sacha and Betty.
TNE: The emotional weight must have been significant for you. How did you approach the delicate task of balancing fact and fiction without undermining the reality of the experiences of those involved?
JM: It was indeed challenging. My approach was to respect the facts while using fiction to explore emotional truths. I conducted extensive interviews with family members of the victims and others affected by the tragedy. This information helped ground my narrative while allowing me creative freedom to explore deeper connections and the psychological toll on those impacted. It was essential to keep the dignity of their stories at the forefront.
TNE: Your writing seems to reflect a broader commentary on societal normalcy and the fragility of life. Do you think events like the one you covered change our perception of safety in public spaces?
JM: Definitely. This incident shattered the illusion of safety we often take for granted. It forces us to confront difficult realities about societal violence and the unpredictability of life. Through my book, I wanted to examine how these events not only traumatize individuals and families but also reshape community dynamics and public perception. We are no longer as naïve as we once were, and that has profound implications for how we navigate our daily lives.
TNE: The book title, “We are no longer normal people,” resonates powerfully. What message are you hoping readers take away from your exploration of this tragic event?
JM: Primarily, I hope readers come to understand that behind each headline, there are real people with complex emotions and stories. My goal is to foster empathy and challenge readers to reflect on how such tragedies affect us all, not just the direct victims. We exist in a world that can change in an instant, and acknowledging that vulnerability can lead to a greater sense of community and understanding.
TNE: Thank you, Justin. Your insights not only shed light on the process of writing this book but also on the broader implications surrounding tragic events in our society. We look forward to seeing how this narrative might resonate with readers and spark important conversations.
JM: Thank you for having me! I appreciate the opportunity to share this important dialog.
