Laurent, journalist at 20 minutes And contributor of the 20 Minutes Books reading group, recommends Prospect(s) by Laurent Binet, published on August 16, 2023 by Éditions Grasset.
His favorite quote:
We are the windows of God, that’s what we are.
Why this book?
- Because Laurent Binet, prolix professor of letters, wrote 176 to offer an epistolary renaissance to 16th century Florence. His novel brings illustrious (Michelangelo, Vasari) or unknown (Pontormo, Bronzino) artists back to life, whom he paints at work, at the table and even on the throne. An unexpected perspective on art history.
- Because the author knows better than anyone what literary profit one can draw from a poorly documented death. From that of Barthes under the wheels of a van, he had drawn the jubilant The seventh function of language. From that of the Mannerist Pontormo, he extracts these Prospect(s)historical thriller which like his previous novel Civilizations starts with a “what if”. What if Pontormo had been murdered? What if the Duke had entrusted Vasari with solving the crime? What if everyone around the painter had legitimate reasons to stab him in the chest? With these “if”, we put Florence in a book.
- Because the twenty characters who in turn write or receive the letters of this novel do not confine us to the great story. From Côme the Elder to the young worker, Binet set out to render, in a gallery, all the offices of Florentine society of the Cinquecento.
The essentials in 2 minutes
The plot. The painter Pontormo is found dead, a chisel in the heart, at the foot of his most accomplished fresco. Discreetly, the Duke of Florence asks his confidant, Vasari, to lead the investigation.
Characters. Vasari, the father of art history, Michelangelo, tortuous ninja, Pontormo, his escapades and his frescoes…
Places. Florence, Rome and Paris… Perfect triangle to extend your summer holidays.
The time. 1557. Henry II of France and Philip II of Spain compete for the Italian boot. The pope would like to put loincloths in the nude of the Sixtine. Vasari pauses his Artists’ life to shed light on Pontormo’s death.
The author. Professor of literature, Laurent Binet made a name for himself by writing history. That of Heydrich earned him the Goncourt for first novel for HHhH ; that of the death of Barthes, the Prix Interallié, with The seventh function of language ; that, uchronic, of Incas triumphant the Grand Prix of the novel of the French Academy for Civilizations. What will this news offer him? Prospect(s) ?
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