Arièle Butaux brings around Lucas a whole series of familiar characters, his parents, his grandparents and also his sister, two years his junior. It is she, Aurore, who guides us and brings us into such special family relationships. Because Lucas is severely disabled, and everyone is walled in silence. However, it is a loving family, and Lucas is not abandoned: “For ten years, Suzanne and Louis (her grandparents) have dedicated every minute of their days and nights to Lucas. They made the choice to raise him at home, without any help, sheltered from the outside world. From this child having received so little at birth, there is no question of taking away the ultimate space of happiness, the love and the daily presence of his family. » And the mother is not left out, doing everything to make life lighter: “She keeps silent so as not to become the incarnation of the drama that ruins her youth. She keeps silent so that no one comes to oppose reason to her dreams. She has thirty-three years and one life to live. With the child pinned to the ground. Or in spite of himself. »
A sensitive subject that the book addresses with great modesty
It is a subtle, delicate and poignant novel, served by fine writing, without pathos. Arièle Butaux doesn’t try to make people cry in the cottages, she makes room for everyone around Lucas, especially Aurore, who doesn’t really have any, who no one cares about. She who is a little “replacement child” takes care of her brother, looks for the slightest sign, the smallest spark, the beginning of a facial expression… She places him in a large stroller and escapes: “Aurore runs faster and faster, as far as possible. Lucas’ cheeks are bright pink, his face comes alive, he needs joy, he needs life, he needs danger to heal…” Healing is the hope of the young sister, convinced that at 15 years old Lucas’ body will unfold, regain its flexibility, come out of its confinement… But nothing can cure the illness sealed from birth. And even more, on this disastrous day revealed by the parents: “Their faces suddenly fell, they no longer had to smile or pretend. As they closed the door, they let the curtain fall: Something has happened.”
