The story of Alexandre Tabarant begins in a small village, Pionsat, in 1836. The child, who is seven years old, is raised by his grandmother; his mother has died, and his father is unknown. Fortunately, there is the schoolteacher to instill a love of reading and epic tales in this little peasant. Alexandre will spread his wings and head to Paris, to conquer the capital. For now, it is women he conquers. Then very quickly, he meets a great journalist who helps him get his foot in the door.
The Paris of Louis Philippe is corrupt, venal, oscillating between mistresses and lovers, with some even sharing them. He becomes acquainted with the world of letters and writers by multiplying his adventures. When his grandmother dies, he discovers the secret of his origins. With Louis Philippe overthrown, there is now the prince president.
Patrick Poivre d’Arvor describes this society of courtesans where lovers and mistresses share the same prey. A world where fidelity is unknown. Alexandre becomes a journalist at 18 and has only two years left to live. Discouraged, disgusted, and disappointed, he will commit suicide at 20! His hero, born under Charles X in 1829, dies in 1849.
Twenty years that shook France, two revolutions, and this myth of the emperor that he does not recognize in the prince president. His suicide? Disillusionment, disappointment, we are in full romanticism, life is imposed, and death frees us from it. A passing hero? No, a romantic hero.
Thierry Jan, writer
