David Lelait-Hilo’s Top 7 Book Picks for the Week of January 25, 2025 – Femme Actuelle Le MAG

Exploring themes of love, loss, and resilience, this collection of narratives traverses personal histories amid societal challenges. From Jean’s poignant reminiscences of a forbidden romance during the 1950s to Clémence’s compassionate journey as a maternity nurse, each story reveals deep emotional truths. The accounts highlight the struggles of marginalized voices, the complex legacies of influential figures, and the transformative power of art. Through these rich tales, the essence of human connection and creativity shines through.

Beloved Memories, You Stole My Star

Amid the stillness of the pandemic that confined us indoors, Jean found himself overwhelmed by a mountain of papers. From this chaos surfaced a note, ‘a sheet freer than the others (…) fourteen words, thrown on a page without lines in letters so large that they are sonorous’. These were love letters from the past, penned by a certain Léo, who bared his soul with heartfelt words, ‘do something, I love you‘. Although the letter was dated October 1973, it reignited a passion that had begun in 1958 when they were just 17 years old. These two high school students were forever changed by a school trip to Italy. Léo admired women, yet his heart also belonged to Jean, and under the enchanting skies of Rivazzurra, their love blossomed, encapsulated in the phrases, ‘the form of a beatitude (…) this feeling of returning from a country that had never existed on the map of his desires’. However, the end of the trip meant returning to the constraints of reality; in the late 50s, could two boys ever hope to openly express their love? Fast forward to October 1973, as the Yom Kippur War erupted, Léo enlisted, wearing the Star of David that once belonged to Jean. The harrowing nature of war stirred love anew within him; Jean’s memory remained alive in his heart, prompting him to write and plead for salvation from his torment. The conclusion of this poignant tale is left for the reader to discover, a narrative rich with authenticity as it recounts the true experiences of Jean Nainchrick, now an 83-year-old former artistic agent and prominent television producer. Through poetic expression, he masterfully conveys the essence of missed connections that forever haunt us.

Uncovering the Overlooked, We Speak of a Place Where Everything is Fragile

Located at 26 Popincourt Street in Paris is an emergency shelter run by the Samu social. Here, with the support of the House of Poetry, Judith Perrignon initiates a writing workshop where participants share their stories, revealing lives filled with pain, accidents, and sharp realities. Among the participants is an intriguing elderly gentleman named Rachid, ‘who intrigues me from the first day‘, as the author observes. She breathes life into his story, giving a voice to the struggles he often faces. Amidst these narratives, there are flashes of wisdom from a man who has endured countless battles. ‘His predictions are his memories. He has just turned 88. That is enough to have understood that the world stutters, enough for memories to pile up and fit together with a diabolical coherence.’ The result is a radiant and illuminating narrative.

Living Against All Odds, The Last Door

Clémence is a petite woman making monumental contributions to life. As a maternity nurse, she plays an essential role in the miracle of birth. This captivating novel by Lise Marzouk is a corridor marked by nine doors, with each door revealing a woman and her expectant belly, laden with hopes and anxieties. There’s Yasmine, who carries the weight of her pregnancy denial, Khadija, who has left her four children behind in her homeland, giving birth to a son conceived through a traumatic experience, and Lou and Lola, two women in love, becoming mothers together. Among these women, Clémence offers her compassionate gaze and unwavering humanity. This is a book that celebrates the essence of life.

Entangled Affections, Love and Other Lies

Beware of lives too neatly planned… Lucie’s world was upended twice: first when her mother revealed her true parentage, and then again during a casual dog walk where she encountered a man and strayed from her marriage vows. Her mother, Mathilde, had her own history of infidelity, caught in a stifling marriage until she met Luis, a political exile from Uruguay. This doctor brought a delicate yet vibrant passion into her life, igniting a love affair that was never meant to last. Mathilde, despite knowing their love couldn’t endure, craved a child as an everlasting reminder of their connection. Laetitia de Luca transports us to the tumultuous 70s, navigating through Uruguay’s dictatorship and Giscard’s France, all while enveloped in the whirlwind of profound romantic fervor. The narrative, though sometimes meandering, offers an engrossing read.

The Legacy of Madame Zola, Flamboyant Zola

It is often said that behind every great man stands a woman. In Émile Zola’s case, this adage rings particularly true, as Alexandrine played a vital role in her husband’s achievements, inspiring him to create his masterpieces and standing by him amid the turmoil of the Dreyfus affair. Yet, her unwavering support did not shield her from heartbreak, as her beloved writer sought solace in the arms of their maid, yearning for children she was unable to bear. Jean-Louis Milesi paints a portrait of this enigmatic and resilient woman, full of passion and determination, aptly naming his work ‘flamboyant’ to reflect her vibrant spirit.

The Roar of Existence, The Lightening of Varnishes

Two years ago, The Lightening of Varnishes took readers by surprise and subsequently garnered the 2023 Orange Prize. Its release in paperback offers a chance to revisit this powerful homage to the Mona Lisa and the world of art. A man is tasked with the delicate job of lightening the varnish on the renowned painting by Vinci. The world watches with bated breath; should the Mona Lisa be freed from five centuries of obscurity, or left cloaked in its historical patina? Paul Saint Bris skillfully examines our connection with art and the past, presenting a profound exploration of the world’s greatest masterpieces.

Art Nouveau’s Radiance, Mucha, the Slavic Soul of Art Nouveau

On an unexpected day, December 24, 1894, Czech artist Alfons Mucha created a poster for the latest play featuring the world-renowned actress Sarah Bernhardt. This fortuitous event catapulted him to fame, establishing him as the king of Paris and a master of Art Nouveau across continents. Drawing inspiration from nature, his Slavic heritage, and a penchant for baroque aesthetics, this distinguished poster artist also ventured into jewelry design and decorated some of the most prestigious interiors of his time. His work creates a flourishing universe that transports us on a poetic journey.

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