Jean-Baptiste Andrea, grand winner of the Prix Goncourt and the Fnac Novel Prize 2023 for his fourth novel, “Veiller sur elle” will be signing books at the Fnac in Nice on November 21.
After winning the Femina Prize in 2017 with his novel Ma Reine, Jean-Baptiste Andrea secured the 121st Prix Goncourt 2023 last November for his latest novel. Veiller sur elle was released in August 2023 by Éditions L’Iconoclaste.
His book also managed to convince the 400 members and the 400 Fnac book sellers of the Fnac Novel Prize 2023. This literary award was launched by the retail chain in 2002, “with the ambition of valuing talents within the literary field and providing readers with enlightened novel choices”.
For his first signing session, the author from the Côte d’Azur will be present at the Fnac on Jean Médecin, this Tuesday, November 21, from 4 PM to 6 PM.
An Impossible Love in Interwar Italy
Using analepsis once again, Veiller sur elle begins with the story of the youth of Mimo, a sculptor who arrives in interwar Italy. A narrative that immerses the reader into the 20th century during the rise of fascism, encountering two characters who are complete opposites. “It is the story of an impossible love between two beings who should never have met,” summarizes the author.
Mimo was born poor and entrusted to one of his uncles, who introduced him to art and sculpture during his youth. And Viola Orsini is a young girl from a noble and powerful family who stands out with her avant-garde feminist ideas.
Veiller sur elle, it, is his ultimate sculpture. A sculpture that represents his muse, his lover, and his friend. Throughout the novel, we travel through the Italian Renaissance, characterized by the omnipresence and influence of classical art.
What Influences?
First and foremost, Jean-Baptiste Andrea is a director and screenwriter. He notably credits the very genesis of his novel to the cinema of others. “It all starts with an image in a film by Paolo Sorrentino,” he shares.
Described as the “Coup de Cœur” by many, “Veiller sur elle” is the book of the year. Sold in several thousand copies, it wouldn’t be surprising to find it under many Christmas trees this year. It’s a great opportunity to personalize it with a small dedication from the author, available this Tuesday, November 21, at the Fnac in Nice from 4 PM to 6 PM.
In the grand game of fate, Mimo drew the bad cards. Born poor, he was apprenticed to an undistinguished stone sculptor. But he has genius in his hands. Almost all the fairies have leaned over Viola Orsini. The heir to a prestigious family, she spent her childhood in the shadow of a Genoese palace. But she has too much ambition to resign herself to the place assigned to her. These two should never have met. At first sight, they recognize each other and swear never to part. They traverse years of fury as Italy plunges into fascism. A novel full of passion and brilliance, endowed with grace and beauty.
Charlotte Libessart
