In his new novel, journalist and writer Arnaud de La Grange tells the story of Aidan, a young man devastated by the death of his parents at sea. It will take him time to tame this element that scares him so much.
First of all, a childhood spent freediving, with his back to the sea, a challenge for anyone growing up in an Irish port. Only, in Aidan’s eyes, the sea is death, the monster that swallowed up his parents in the dangerous surroundings of another port, Breton this one, Loc Maricq. One day it jumps in his face in the form of a Turner painting, The shipwreck, discovered at the Tate Britain in London. He must know, discover, understand. Direction Locmariq, its rough sailors, its Café du Port, and Manon the stained glass restorer, a bringer of light who will illuminate Aidan’s quest. The orphan will throw himself into the water, tame the currents, the powerful back of the swell, all the salt of life, and tears too. Because this navigation in the heart of the Ocean and the intimate is not without new wounds. In a style where strength and sensitivity combine, Arnaud de La Grange takes the reader on board who will not emerge from this novel unscathed.
The promise of the open seaby Arnaud de La Grange, Gallimard, 218 p., 20 euros.
