In his latest novel, Quentin Mouron features thirty-somethings under the influence

Published on June 15, 2024 at 2:09 p.m. / Modified on June 15, 2024 at 2:51 p.m.

Since the publication of his previous novel Vesoul, January 7, 2015, in which he evoked in an offbeat manner the attacks which decimated the editorial staff of Charlie Hebdo, Quentin Mouron took a long detour through other registers of writing. First there was an essay devoted to the fin de siècle writer Jean Lorrain, to whom the young man readily acknowledges a debt. Then, the covid pandemic arose and its successive constraints which were an opportunity for him to immerse himself in the committed poetry of the 20th century. During this period of withdrawal, the author published numerous poems of his own on social networks. Free verse texts, part of which, together with some previously unpublished material, were published in 2022 by the publisher Olivier Morattel – a long-time accomplice – in two collections with intriguing titles: Why am I a communist? And Hatred of birds.

The Last Room of the Grand Hôtel Abîme marks Quentin Mouron’s return to novel writing. We clearly see the traces left by his experience of versification. In a prologue with an airy layout, a new tone asserts itself: “She was lying next to the hotel swimming pool, broken, lifeless. /She was lying in the night, /in this night of shivers/of greasy spells, /in this ordinary night of violence, /which was banally the other side of the dream, /which did not even have the dignity of a nightmare .” Flashback: in around fifty chapters and a bittersweet epilogue, the reader follows the relational imbroglios of five characters, all in their thirties and potentially responsible (or even guilty) for this violent death.

All the news at your fingertips!

For only CHF 29.- per month, have unlimited access to all our articles. Take advantage of our special offer: the first month for only CHF 9!

SUBSCRIBE

Already a subscriber?
To log in