Four friends meet for a week on a Greek island. They comment on, analyze, and criticize a manuscript written by a certain Simon Laquedem. He describes his dreams, his visions; he is supposedly a prophet, and God wants to speak to him!
The four friends take turns reading this manuscript. Is it the work of a madman? A mystic? The angel Uriel delivers the divine message to him. The creation of the world, a novel, or rather a theological analysis of this manuscript. The four friends have differing opinions on this manuscript and its author.
This is where all the talent of Jean D’Ormesson comes to light by taking us through a reinterpretation of the scriptures, philosophers, sages, prophets, and the history of mankind.
Much like the creation of the universe, it will take the four friends seven days to read this manuscript. There they are in this paradise of the Aegean Sea, lulled by the song of cicadas, enjoying the pleasures of life as good Epicureans.
Jean D’Ormesson offers us another approach to genesis through the dreams and restless nights of Simon Laquedem, the author of the manuscript. Simon is troubled, frightened, and then in other phases of his dream, he is calm, reassured. Writing down his dreams? Perhaps that’s the best therapy for our modern society that has lost its roots, essence, and bearings.
Thierry Jan, writer
