Friday, November 15, 2024

Le Vieil Incendie by Elisa Shua Dusapin


Elisa Shua Dusapin is one of the authors I love to read when I am trying to see the world differently, in a more deep, considerate way. The French-Korean author, currently based in Switzerland, has an unique direct way to explain feelings and situations in the most deep way. I´ve read her books both in the original French language, as well as in English translation and this feeling of dealing of a soul reader persisted.

My latest book by her, Le Vieil Incendie - The Old Blaze, in my own free translation - read in the original French version is written as a series of diary entry for one week in November. Agatha, who left her small helmet of Sarlat in France, is back after 15 years to settle the childhood house following the death of her father. There, her estranged aphasic sister Véra is waiting for her, and the two of them bond, superficially and for a very short time, during those times. 

Although they are supposed to leave the house for good, they will rebuild the old pigeon house destroyed long ago by a fire. 

The ties may be broken and each built up their own life and realities, but the days spent together is like a moment out of time. It´s exactly as may happen sometimes when we are back to places from the past, empty from the people that made them alive. Not everyone is having a blast from the past that may change he or she for ever. It is a honest yet very human journey.

Meanwhile, I am about to start another book by her soon - the only she published and haven´t read it yet -, and I am very curious where it will lead. Hope to be able to review it soon.

Rating: 3.5 stars

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