Paul Dana, Reflections of a Hedonist
In this autobiographical story, Hyérois Paul Dana recounts his childhood in Tunis, his arrival in France, his university training and his professional career, centered on the organization of work within multinationals in Lyon, Paris and a thousand other home ports , but also its blissful beaches in Andalusia and the Var.
Intended for his loved ones and family, his book THE suns of my life can be read by everyone for the optimism that emerges from it.
Excerpts: “I wanted, achieved, everything that a man can hope for, in delight and appetite for pleasure, whether in cultural wealth or in professional, sporting, musical and artistic experience. I affectionate to the point of venerating them, kindness and honesty, intelligence and reliability, benevolence and nobility of feelings, elegance in attitudes and finally courtesy. I praised the sun more than anything. sea and a permanent joy of living.”
The suns of my life by Paul Dana, Les Presses du Midi editions, 179 pages.
Alain Delattre, The Shadow of the Great War
In his new novel, Hyérois Alain Delattre imagines a couple of young teachers from Marseille who settle in Saint-Etienne-en-Dévoluy.
The year is 1914 and Gabriel is called to the front. His wife Hortense, who must alone assume the task of teaching in the village, gets help from a young mountain woman, Marie. This “Marie du Dévoluy”, wanting to hide Hortense’s declining state of health so as not to undermine Gabriel’s morale, will create confusion in this community of life eaten away by the shadow of the Great War.
“I chose to feature teachers because I have always been imbued with the Republic school which remains the school of equalityconfides the author. I have long wanted to write a story in the First World War in which my grandfather Jules participated, gassed at the Chemin des Dames then decorated with the Legion of Honor in 1919.”
To transcribe life in the Alps during this period, Alain Delattre dug into the departmental archives of Hautes-Alpes and interviewed a local shepherdess steeped in the confessions of an ancestor. For the battle scenes, he drew inspiration from the archives of Alpine hunters engaged in the North, in Verdun and in the Ardennes.
Marie du Devoluy by Alain Delattre, Les Presses du Midi editions, 145 pages. The author will be present on Sunday at the book festival.
Boris Sciutto, a polarized author
In the space of a few years, Boris Sciutto has become one of the references in terms of thrillers in the Var. During the Hyères Book Festival, this civilian police officer will present his sixth work, The malaise of Étretatwithout losing his legendary good humor.
“It has become an extension of my professional activity because, even on my days off, I remain on the lookout for the slightest situation or the slightest inspiring location for a good thriller,” he explains. Veracity being one of the keys to its success.
The malaise of Étretat by Boris Sciutto, Les Presses du Midi editions, 220 pages.
Jeanne-Hélène Sampiéri, For the love of Dominique…
Jeanne-Hélène Sampiéri, who runs the Hyèrgraphe writing workshop as part of the Hyères Book Festival, has just released a new book soberly called Dominic.
A work that tells her love story with her husband. A close relationship, even at work since they were both teachers in Hyères for many years. Through their journey we also find the sublime landscapes of Corsica and the city of palm trees over the years and pages.
Dominic by Jeanne-Hélène Sampiéri, Les Presses du Midi editions.
Jacques Larrue, from rugby to novel
Journalist for many years in the sports department of Var-morning, Jacques Larrue is first and foremost a rugby specialist. And his first works, Lily of the valley always blooms again in spring which traces the rich history of the RCT or Rugby Flouze which evokes the transition from the professional world to the amateur world, illustrate this.
However, its novelty is indeed a novel, Little boy in turmoil published by L’Harmattan, which follows Little girl in turmoil in 2023. Thrilling life stories.
Little girl in turmoil by Jacques Larrue, L’Harmattan editions, 242 pages.
Jean-Louis Sarrato, prophet in his country
Jean-Louis Sarrato in Hyères, that’s obvious. A former primary school teacher at the San Salvadour hospital, he was also and above all one of the great leaders of the Jean-Aicard high school theater club.
“I had written a play which was a parody of Romeo and Juliet that I had played and directed. And with Jean-Aicard’s students, we resumed Santa Clause is garbage at the Denis theater”, he explains.
It is now as an author that he expresses his creativity. After Miscellaneous facts, he comes back with The first Domino.
The first Domino by Jean-Louis Sarrato, Encre Y Est editions, 312 pages.
Napo, fun and educational nursery rhymes
Virginie Napoletano known as “Napo” is an artist with a capital A.
This Valettoise who herself illustrates her works with her paintings has just released three nursery rhymes for children: fruit, animal, vegetable. The idea is to learn by combining writing, sound and images for easier understanding.
In fact, each letter is linked to a word from which it also gives an original and amusing definition. And the images come to life as if by magic.
Napo’s nursery rhymesLes Presses du Midi editions.
