2023-11-07 16:52:34
The Goncourt jury has just rewarded Veiller sur elle, by Jean-Baptiste Andrea. We tell you about this romantic fresco that is both popular and profound.
Jean-Baptiste Andrea won this Tuesday, November 7, the Holy Grail of French-speaking writers, the prestigious Goncourt Prize. His novel Veiller sur elle is a long romantic fresco with fairytale overtones.
A novel that carries the reader away with its epic breath. Very cinematic, Jean-Baptiste Andrea’s style deploys strong images, populated by colorful characters against a backdrop of the rise of fascism.
The story takes place over a period of 70 years and follows the thwarted loves, in Italy at the beginning of the 20th century, of Michelangelo Vitaliani, a young sculptor of small stature and Viola Orsini, daughter of a marquis.
“Of the two burdens of my existence, my first name was undoubtedly the lightest to bear. Yet I hated it with passion,” says Michelangelo, known as Mimo.
Having reached the end of his life, Mimo retraces the course of his history. His journey as a fatherless child, sent to Pietra d’Alba to a sculptor uncle, cruel and alcoholic, who mistreats him. The abused child turns out to be a genius sculptor.
Story of thwarted love
His meeting with Viola Orsini, from a rich aristocratic family, will change his life. If their love is impossible, the two young people enrich each other. Viola, with her keen intelligence and imagination, participates in Mimo’s education and provides her with books. Young people find themselves in cemeteries. Their platonic love would last for decades.
Trapped by his uncle, who sends him to do dirty work on the renovation site of the Duomo in Milan, Mimo ends up being able to reveal his talent and escape from his condition.
Viola, who would like to become a great scientist and dreams of flying, comes up against the conventions of the time and marries a crooked lawyer.
Refused by 14 publishing houses before seducing Sophie de Sivry, from the recently defunct editions of L’Iconoclaste, Veiller sur elle, is a real “page turner” which should captivate the general public. It is a great popular book.
Magali Rangin avec Candice Mahout
#read #Goncourt