Contemporary literature

Irish region known for the beauty of its landscapes, Connemara is also the title of the latest novel by Nicolas Mathieu who, in 2018, won the Goncourt prize for And Their Children After Them. The choice of the title of his final text refers to a song by Michel Sardou: Les Lacs de Connemara. A sort of leitmotif, this 1980s hit accompanies the characters of the novel in their daily struggles; it symbolizes an emotional bond with a familiar place (in this case, a small town in the eastern part of France) and the nostalgia for a bygone time associated with childhood (when the song in question topped the charts).

Nicolas Mathieu juxtaposes two destinies who, at first glance, have nothing in common: Hélène, a senior executive graduate from a renowned university, and Christophe, a former local hockey star who, after a glorious youth, earns his living by peddling dog food.

The first one gave her everything to escape from the monotonous reality of a provincial town, where nothing seemed to hold her. Christophe, on the other hand, always lived from day to day, not bothering with unnecessary questions, not imagining his life in a more exciting place. Regardless of past failures and successes, and the current financial and marital situation, both of them, aged about forty, are not entirely satisfied with their lives. When, after many years, their paths cross again, the beginning of a new love affair seems possible. Will shared memories and desire to start all over again be enough to allow their relationship to flourish?

Just like in And Their Children After Them, Nicolas Mathieu immerses his readers in a world far from great metropolises where months, seasons, years pass without major surprises, where people are content with an existence devoid of excessive ambition and - rather than conquering the world - they dream of finding a job, having a roof over their head and starting a family. Nicolas Mathieu excels not only in depicting this provincial (seemingly monotonous and trivial reality), but also in presenting it in a captivating light.

The author also demonstrates this writing talent in the scenes that deal with adolescence. With remarkable insight, he is able to convey the psychology of this difficult period, when hormonal changes, like a magic spice, intensify various experiences, often lived for the first time. Without condescension, mockery or tenderness, Mathieu describes the moods of these young characters who face seemingly banal problems (friendship, domestic conflicts or school projects), often experiencing them as existential ordeals. The accounts of the novelist easily revive memories of our own youth, which is undoubtedly proof of a skilful and effective writing technique.

Even if the narrative construction of the novel sometimes leaves something to be desired (some scenes, especially those at the end of the text, seem to be long and uninteresting; we are also annoyed by the character of the young intern, too stereotypical for my taste), Nicolas Mathieu establishes himself, thanks to Connemara, as one of the most interesting authors of contemporary French literature. His literary career is certainly worth following.