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Geography of an Adultery
Dissecting a midlife affair, this perceptive, slyly comical debut explores how the spaces that limit our movements can be more exciting than the person we think we want.
Ema and Paul are lovers. Like so many others before them, they met through work. Both are married with children, and they arrange hurried meetings away from prying eyes. Paul’s car, a corner of Ema’s house, a hotel room…But their relationship soon suffers from this too-restricted sphere, and Ema decides to put them both in danger, at the risk of losing everything. Cleverly attaching itself to the locations where passion plays out—whether domestic or professional, safe or transgressive—Geography of an Adultery casts a radical eye on anticipation and desire. With her deceptively cool, clinically precise style, Agnès Riva unravels the inner workings of a private life.
153 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 25, 2022
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February 10, 2022The focus of Agnès Riva's compelling novel, Geography of An Adultery is not on an affair but on the impact of place. Who we are is defined by where we are. Through the eyes of Ema, the reader feels the tension between passion and pulling back, between desire and the fear of being caught. Ultimately, the terrain explored is of a woman's needs, a couple's clandestine fantasies, and the shifting boundaries within relationships.
April 5, 2023
A very interesting account of an adulterous affair that focuses on the places life is lived and how those places can change for us and change us. The novel showcases the push and pull of the duality that comes with keeping up with two sides of your life and trying to find a "balance" between them.
April 29, 2022
Riva really does capture the kind of push/pull of an adulterous affair. Ema's longing for things to be different rang true, and yet you were not rooting for them. You felt from the first scene the futility of the affair. That it ended with a whimper and not with a bang also rang true and was the right ending for Ema and Paul's affair. It just doesn't make for the kind of ending most people want from their fiction.
Recommended for reader's who like to explore the intricacies of intimate relationships and for lovers of translated fiction. There is a simplicity here that feels very French.
Recommended for reader's who like to explore the intricacies of intimate relationships and for lovers of translated fiction. There is a simplicity here that feels very French.
March 4, 2022
Ema and Paul, married to other people, work in the same labor court outside of Paris, and they begin falling in love in Paul’s car which the author describes in some detail, indeed in more detail than she describes the appearance of Ema or Paul, their spouses, or their children. Thus the title Geography of an Adultery, Agnès Riva’s slim first novel.
According to the note on the author in the book, Riva lives in the suburbs of Paris “where she draws inspiration from its urban landscape.” Geography of an Adultery was short listed for a Discovery Grant from the Prince Pierre de Monaco Foundation and was a finalist for the Prix Goncourt and Grand Prix RTL-Lire. John Cullen translated books from Spanish, French, German, and Italian. He died shortly after he delivered this translation to the publisher.
The affair begins in Paul’s car, moves to a corner of the kitchen in Ema’s house, to an empty chapel on the outskirts of town, to Paul’s house briefly (they live within walking distance of each other), and is finally consummated in an apartment hotel.
Agnès Riva tells the story entirely from Ema’s point of view. He never learn what Paul is thinking, only what he says to her: “You have to compartmentalize,” he tells her, and we understand even if Ema doesn’t know how to keep the parts of her life separate, that’s how Paul manages his life. “Don’t let your personal feeling affect judgments that must remain rational.” Ema finds this schoolmasterish advice aggravating and sexually arousing.
Paul clearly finds Ema sexually desirable. “I don’t think we’ll ever be more excited than this,” he murmurs in her ear during heavy petting in her kitchen. He says it “as if he wants her to take the next step but has no intention of forcing her.” Reaching that step takes another ninety pages.
One of the things that makes this slim debut novel so interesting is Riva’s evocation of Ema’s internal life, her feelings, the tension between abandonment—her desire for excitement, adventure, passion—and the fear of getting caught.
“Her attempts to establish routines that can be counted on, like her offer of her house as a place where they can see each other outside of work, have ended in failure, for Paul’s visits remain as irregular as always. Between one encounter and the next, it seems to her, the man quite simply forgets her; he moves on to something else.”
Another thing that makes the story ring so true is the author’s ability to convey the contrast between Ema’s expectations and Paul’s. Because it is an affair and not a romance between two single people that can lead to marriage or a stable union, they cannot easily work out their differences.
Riva writes, “In principle, Paul wouldn’t be against finding a place, an apartment, for example, that they could rent for their romantic encounters.” [They can afford one? And hide the expense from their spouses? Never mind.]
“But when they envision the passion they will know in their proposed love nest, what each sees differs a little from the other’s version. Paul pictures a place where desire can be ‘contained,’ shielded from prying eyes for as long as their romance lasts,” [He’s already assuming the romance has a time limit.] “whereas Ema, by contrast, hopes it will allow their sensitivities a new freedom of expression.” In any case, while Paul talks about renting a place, he makes no effort to do so.
Without preaching or proselytizing, the novel makes a solid case against adultery. It should be no spoiler to read that when Ema and Paul finally do create the conditions in which they can make love, the experience not that great.
“The young woman has often imagined this moment, and now that it’s here, she feels something like indifference, like absence from the unfolding scene. Her head is clear, and on the one hand she can visualize all the elaborate fantasies she’s built up around her desire, and on the other, she can see Paul and herself, here on the bed, but she can’t, despite her efforts, manage to connect the two sights.”
Readers who have committed adultery can compare and contrast their thoughts and experiences to Ema’s. Readers who have ever toyed with the idea of an affair should read this as a cautionary tale and be prepared to be disappointed. Reality is almost never as stimulating as fantasy.
According to the note on the author in the book, Riva lives in the suburbs of Paris “where she draws inspiration from its urban landscape.” Geography of an Adultery was short listed for a Discovery Grant from the Prince Pierre de Monaco Foundation and was a finalist for the Prix Goncourt and Grand Prix RTL-Lire. John Cullen translated books from Spanish, French, German, and Italian. He died shortly after he delivered this translation to the publisher.
The affair begins in Paul’s car, moves to a corner of the kitchen in Ema’s house, to an empty chapel on the outskirts of town, to Paul’s house briefly (they live within walking distance of each other), and is finally consummated in an apartment hotel.
Agnès Riva tells the story entirely from Ema’s point of view. He never learn what Paul is thinking, only what he says to her: “You have to compartmentalize,” he tells her, and we understand even if Ema doesn’t know how to keep the parts of her life separate, that’s how Paul manages his life. “Don’t let your personal feeling affect judgments that must remain rational.” Ema finds this schoolmasterish advice aggravating and sexually arousing.
Paul clearly finds Ema sexually desirable. “I don’t think we’ll ever be more excited than this,” he murmurs in her ear during heavy petting in her kitchen. He says it “as if he wants her to take the next step but has no intention of forcing her.” Reaching that step takes another ninety pages.
One of the things that makes this slim debut novel so interesting is Riva’s evocation of Ema’s internal life, her feelings, the tension between abandonment—her desire for excitement, adventure, passion—and the fear of getting caught.
“Her attempts to establish routines that can be counted on, like her offer of her house as a place where they can see each other outside of work, have ended in failure, for Paul’s visits remain as irregular as always. Between one encounter and the next, it seems to her, the man quite simply forgets her; he moves on to something else.”
Another thing that makes the story ring so true is the author’s ability to convey the contrast between Ema’s expectations and Paul’s. Because it is an affair and not a romance between two single people that can lead to marriage or a stable union, they cannot easily work out their differences.
Riva writes, “In principle, Paul wouldn’t be against finding a place, an apartment, for example, that they could rent for their romantic encounters.” [They can afford one? And hide the expense from their spouses? Never mind.]
“But when they envision the passion they will know in their proposed love nest, what each sees differs a little from the other’s version. Paul pictures a place where desire can be ‘contained,’ shielded from prying eyes for as long as their romance lasts,” [He’s already assuming the romance has a time limit.] “whereas Ema, by contrast, hopes it will allow their sensitivities a new freedom of expression.” In any case, while Paul talks about renting a place, he makes no effort to do so.
Without preaching or proselytizing, the novel makes a solid case against adultery. It should be no spoiler to read that when Ema and Paul finally do create the conditions in which they can make love, the experience not that great.
“The young woman has often imagined this moment, and now that it’s here, she feels something like indifference, like absence from the unfolding scene. Her head is clear, and on the one hand she can visualize all the elaborate fantasies she’s built up around her desire, and on the other, she can see Paul and herself, here on the bed, but she can’t, despite her efforts, manage to connect the two sights.”
Readers who have committed adultery can compare and contrast their thoughts and experiences to Ema’s. Readers who have ever toyed with the idea of an affair should read this as a cautionary tale and be prepared to be disappointed. Reality is almost never as stimulating as fantasy.
June 5, 2022
2.5 to be more exact. This is probably the most lukewarm I've felt about a novel this year. It's just... so bland. There was something about the writing in this that I found made it so difficult for me to concentrate or be immersed. I can't exactly pinpoint what; the writing just felt perpetually off. Ema and Paul both do not make for particularly interesting characters, nor was the story thrilling or comedic like some of the reviews have said. The gimmick of having each chapter take place at a location wore off really quickly. Sometimes the descriptions of the surroundings and places felt so excessive I was wondering if this was a novel or some descriptive pamphlet for some architect working in French suburbia. There was little emotional depth. There were no stakes. I think this just bodies upper-middle class suburban lifestyle to a tee: no interesting meditations happened, we have naïve and shitty main characters, nothing new is explored. It's stagnant. It's mediocre. It's been done, but better (see Sarah Crossan's Here Is The Beehive). I sound so mean in this review. Perhaps it just wasn't for me... If it was for you, that's great though! Just... yeah...
I should note that the edition I read was translated by the late John Cullen and not the translator displayed by Goodreads.
I should note that the edition I read was translated by the late John Cullen and not the translator displayed by Goodreads.
September 28, 2022
"Geography of an Adultery" by Agnès Riva is one of their books where the idea is perfect -- telling the story of an affair via the places where the affair took place --, but the book itself doesn't quite live up to the expectations generated by the idea. This short novel follows the affair between Ema and Paul; this is Ema's first affair, but Paul has had a few. "Geography" is a very interior book, not just because the chapters are named "the interior of Paul's car" and "the corner behind the front door of Ema's house", but because we're entirely in Ema's head. In terms of affairs, it's very mundane, but Riva manages to capture the doubts and exhilaration that Ema feels, particularly the disappointing gap that exists between Ema's expectations for the affair and the actual realities of it. "Geography" didn't hold me as a book (I read it in two sittings, with 8 days in between), but I still think the idea is so good and can appreciate Riva's writing and her construction of Ema as a character.
June 7, 2023
Telling a story of an affair through the places it takes place, a car, a kitchen sink, outside a chapel, is such a clever and original idea. The story follows Ema as she contemplates her affair with Paul, her stakes in the relationship, and how much of her feelings are reciprocated. She's lonely and seeking something to fill the void. Each vignette exposes a little more of the parallels between places and what they can reflect about relationships: a car tells Ema that Paul is neat, image focused, and methodical; the chapel tells her that she does not know if Paul is religious. A hotel room reminds Ema that her fantasy and her reality do not line up. It's about the power balance in the relationship, how can one manipulate the other to get what they want, how invested are they in this relationship. This book also switches between "young woman" and man and their actually names, as if depersonalizing and universalizing them at once, and that's what this short novel does so well: it is both universal and so personal.
February 24, 2022
3.5 stars
Full review at: https://www.everydayiwritethebookblog...
French author Agnés Riva’s new novel, Geography Of An Adultery, traces an extramarital affair through the locations outside Paris where the man (Paul) and woman (Ema) meet up: his car, her kitchen and entryway, a remote church, a hotel. These locations limn the physical boundaries of their relationship, highlighting the lack of freedom they have to be together, but the emotional limitations they face ultimately doom the secret pair. The book, which is told through Ema’s eyes, is a detailed account of her dissatisfaction with their situation and its ultimate futility.
Paul and Ema’s relationship is doomed from the start of the book, and watching it play out in the various physical locations is like watching a slow motion trainwreck. Ema tries every way she can to get what she wants – true emotional and passionate connection – from Paul, but she is always frustrated. She ignores him, she pushes him to take risks that could reveal their relationship, she stalks him, she guilts him into getting them a hotel room. She even comes right out and asks him if she is his soul mate. And yet, he never gives her the answers or the attention she seeks. The circumstances of their relationship are clearly a hindrance to her happiness, but the real weakness is Paul. He will never be the man that she wants him to be. He’s not going to throw caution to the wind, express his undying love, and lure her from her marriage. (And even if he were, she’s not even sure she wants to leave it. Maybe she just wants the pain and longing,)
Geography Of An Adultery is an interesting and eloquent depiction of the tensions Ema and Paul experience and the impossibility of a positive outcome for either person. The conceit of the location theme is creative, but ultimately I was more interested in what transpired between the two characters than the places where it transpired. I received a letter from Other Press’ publisher calling the book “simply hilarious”. I wouldn’t call it hilarious (though I appreciate that Riva clearly had some fun at her characters’ expense), but instead found it sad. All that energy, all those emotions – for nothing, in the end.
Full review at: https://www.everydayiwritethebookblog...
French author Agnés Riva’s new novel, Geography Of An Adultery, traces an extramarital affair through the locations outside Paris where the man (Paul) and woman (Ema) meet up: his car, her kitchen and entryway, a remote church, a hotel. These locations limn the physical boundaries of their relationship, highlighting the lack of freedom they have to be together, but the emotional limitations they face ultimately doom the secret pair. The book, which is told through Ema’s eyes, is a detailed account of her dissatisfaction with their situation and its ultimate futility.
Paul and Ema’s relationship is doomed from the start of the book, and watching it play out in the various physical locations is like watching a slow motion trainwreck. Ema tries every way she can to get what she wants – true emotional and passionate connection – from Paul, but she is always frustrated. She ignores him, she pushes him to take risks that could reveal their relationship, she stalks him, she guilts him into getting them a hotel room. She even comes right out and asks him if she is his soul mate. And yet, he never gives her the answers or the attention she seeks. The circumstances of their relationship are clearly a hindrance to her happiness, but the real weakness is Paul. He will never be the man that she wants him to be. He’s not going to throw caution to the wind, express his undying love, and lure her from her marriage. (And even if he were, she’s not even sure she wants to leave it. Maybe she just wants the pain and longing,)
Geography Of An Adultery is an interesting and eloquent depiction of the tensions Ema and Paul experience and the impossibility of a positive outcome for either person. The conceit of the location theme is creative, but ultimately I was more interested in what transpired between the two characters than the places where it transpired. I received a letter from Other Press’ publisher calling the book “simply hilarious”. I wouldn’t call it hilarious (though I appreciate that Riva clearly had some fun at her characters’ expense), but instead found it sad. All that energy, all those emotions – for nothing, in the end.
January 28, 2024
I've been reading this for a couple weeks and found it difficult to pick up again. I think this might be better, at least for me, as a read in one sitting, as coming back to it halfway through I felt like I'd lost some of the momentum. Following Ema, if you're reading it in one go, you'd really get the feeling of impulsiveness that she has.
The structure being around spaces in a relationship, with minimal character, is interesting and I liked it. We know enough about Ema to follow her and understand her, and Paul is deliberately elusive as a character.
I really enjoyed the final few chapters, and think if I'd read this a few years earlier in my life it would have resonated more - the impatience and idealisation of a relationship that might not live up to the reality. As it stands, a lot to enjoy but didn't capture me in the way I'd hoped.
The structure being around spaces in a relationship, with minimal character, is interesting and I liked it. We know enough about Ema to follow her and understand her, and Paul is deliberately elusive as a character.
I really enjoyed the final few chapters, and think if I'd read this a few years earlier in my life it would have resonated more - the impatience and idealisation of a relationship that might not live up to the reality. As it stands, a lot to enjoy but didn't capture me in the way I'd hoped.
December 21, 2025
what a bizarre book. the writing style is an interesting flow of prose, and as with most translated books, I wonder how accurate it is.
that being said, the concept of looking at an affair through the lens of the physical spaces the affair takes place in was pretty interesting. read more about corners and mid century furniture and turn of the century architecture than I ever thought I would. the characters themselves were infinitely less interesting that the spaces they chose for their clandestine meetings. and even with majority of the pov coming from the woman, I felt like I didn’t know enough about her, which left me irritated by her till the very end. they’re both awful but she grated me.
that being said, the concept of looking at an affair through the lens of the physical spaces the affair takes place in was pretty interesting. read more about corners and mid century furniture and turn of the century architecture than I ever thought I would. the characters themselves were infinitely less interesting that the spaces they chose for their clandestine meetings. and even with majority of the pov coming from the woman, I felt like I didn’t know enough about her, which left me irritated by her till the very end. they’re both awful but she grated me.
December 17, 2023
Un adulterio que se estudia a través de un repaso detallado de los lugares donde Emma y Paul se relacionan.
Un texto que utiliza su bisturí narrativo para adentrarse en los distintos espacios, transitando de lo público a las profundidades de lo privado, explorando los recovecos de la mente y la memoria.
Podría ser la historia de cualquier pareja, pero la elección narrativa la distingue de otras por el énfasis en los entornos y su efecto y conexión (aunque no siempre evidentes) sobre los personajes que entran en escena.
La voz narrativa aborda la historia con un claro intento de neutralidad, como si fuera la voz de las paredes que observan y relatan fríamente, sin descuidar la marcada presencia de emociones, apegos, temores y culpas.
Un texto que utiliza su bisturí narrativo para adentrarse en los distintos espacios, transitando de lo público a las profundidades de lo privado, explorando los recovecos de la mente y la memoria.
Podría ser la historia de cualquier pareja, pero la elección narrativa la distingue de otras por el énfasis en los entornos y su efecto y conexión (aunque no siempre evidentes) sobre los personajes que entran en escena.
La voz narrativa aborda la historia con un claro intento de neutralidad, como si fuera la voz de las paredes que observan y relatan fríamente, sin descuidar la marcada presencia de emociones, apegos, temores y culpas.
September 25, 2023
Du processus de soumission à la libération de la femme, de la dépendance affective à la liberté émotionnelle et d'un attachement malsain à un détachement libérateur et même presque un peu drôle, j’admets que le début m'a beaucoup rebutée. Ema n'avait pas assez de corps, pas assez de présence, car Paul avalait tout ! C'était irritant, et pour être honnête, je n'aime pas Paul. Malgré tout la fin est douce-amère et il a été agréable de la lire et de l'atteindre.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 9, 2022
This book is very setting driven. Most of the book consists of location descriptions where the two character meet with limited dialogue. Paul is oblivious and unpleasant and Emma is naive about the entire situation, which did not make her an endearing read.
July 18, 2024
I like the set up for this novel! The short chapters based on location paint an intimate picture of the couple's love affair. I'm glad Ema breaks up with Paul, it was nice to see her character grow:) Overall, solid read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 8, 2025
interestinggggg short read
i enjoyed the way it was structured around geography truly, even down the the paragraph/sentence level with detailed description of place and its relation to the thoughts/emotions of the characters
i enjoyed the way it was structured around geography truly, even down the the paragraph/sentence level with detailed description of place and its relation to the thoughts/emotions of the characters
April 28, 2022
3.5 ⭐️
The translator for the book was John Cullen and is incorrect on the goodreads listing.
The translator for the book was John Cullen and is incorrect on the goodreads listing.
April 29, 2022
Interesting narrative device that is used to tell a story of a disappointing affair populated with tightly drawn characters.
July 13, 2022
2.5? Interesting, fast paced but also didn’t do much at all for me.
March 23, 2025
A short read documenting the highs and lows of an affair. An interesting format and you could feel the tension between the lovers. Glad I ignored the low GR rating!
October 22, 2025
(3.5)
the intense
descriptions of
simplicity
are so moving
🚗
the intense
descriptions of
simplicity
are so moving
🚗
May 4, 2018
La liaison malheureuse
Pour son premier roman Agnès Riva va nous démontrer la difficulté de vivre une aventure extra-conjugale en suivant la liaison entre Ema et Paul.
Il arrive que le titre d’un livre nous intrigue comme c’est le cas ici. En le refermant, je me dis qu’il est particulièrement bien trouvé. Car le premier roman d’Agnès Riva ne raconte pas l’histoire d’un adultère mais bien la géographie. C’est ce qui le rend si particulier et si intéressant. Au lieu de scènes torrides, la romancière détaille les lieux qui ont rendu possible la rencontre de Paul et d’Ema puis ceux qu’ils choisissent pour se rencontrer, pour faire l’amour avant de rentrer au domicile conjugal.
Commençons par le Tribunal des prud’hommes. C’est là que la relation adultère s’est construite et c’est aussi là que Paul aime bousculer Ema. Car ce spécialiste des bâtiments et des travaux publics vit sa liaison comme il gère ses dossiers, rationnellement et avec un souci du respect des règles. En l’occurrence, il se persuade que «leur relation ne s'approfondira jamais» dans cet endroit, que sa partenaire ne dérogera pas aux règles qu’il a pris soin d’établir. Pour éviter toute ambiguité, il a ainsi d’emblée souligné que rien ne devait transparaître de leur «amour», que rien ne devait devenir irrationnel ou incontrôlable. Une double vie, oui, mais cloisonnée et étanche.
Du coup, on ne peut s’empêcher de plaindre Ema qui est beaucoup plus fleur bleue, qui est prête à faire des folies, qui serait même prête à quitter son mari. Mais pour l’heure, elle doit accepter la volonté de son amant. Et sa frustration qui s’incarne par exemple le soir de la fête pour le centenaire du conseil. Là ou lui voit un risque, elle imagine une occasion de se retrouver et de partager davantage d’intimité. Frustrée, Ema le sera aussi dans un second lieu emblématique, la limousine de Paul avec ses fauteuils en cuir et son levier de vitesse. Cer dernier offre au chauffeur l’occasion de glisser sa main vers le genou de sa passagère qu’il assimile alors à sa chose, présente pour son plaisir.
Le seul petit problème, c’est que dans le véhicule on peut les voir et que Paul ne supporte même pas l’idée que l’on puisse le soupçonner de ne pas être un bon mari et père de famille. Aussi quand Ema sonne à sa porte pour émoustiller Paul, elle ne fait qu’allumer un signal d’alarme. Mais il est vrai que le salon de thé d’un centre commercial ou une chambre de Novotel n’ont rien de persnnel, d’intime.
Rendez-vous est alors pris chez Ema, en l’absence de son mari. Mais outre le risque toujours présent de le voir débarquer à l’improviste, il y a aussi les voisins et les passants, susceptibles de voir quelque chose. Reste ce coin entre l’évier et le réfrigérateur, inconfortable certes, mais caché de la rue. Ou encore le coin derrière la porte d’entrée. Bref, c’est l’imagination au pouvoir!
On l’aura compris, le roman fait le démonstration que le malaise – aussi dans le sens d’inconfort – est un tue-l’amour. Que faute d’un lieu où il puisse s’épanouir, l’amour est condamné. Sans espace et sans temps, comme il semblait y en avoir à profusion À l’originalité de la construction, on ajoutera l’économie su style pour souligner les qualités de ce roman. Chaque phrase semble avoir été débarrassée du superflu pour ne conserver que l’essentiel. Du coup, la cruauté est plus cruelle, l’ironie plus mordante, le désespoir plus violent. Une belle réussite ! http://urlz.fr/6TFG
Pour son premier roman Agnès Riva va nous démontrer la difficulté de vivre une aventure extra-conjugale en suivant la liaison entre Ema et Paul.
Il arrive que le titre d’un livre nous intrigue comme c’est le cas ici. En le refermant, je me dis qu’il est particulièrement bien trouvé. Car le premier roman d’Agnès Riva ne raconte pas l’histoire d’un adultère mais bien la géographie. C’est ce qui le rend si particulier et si intéressant. Au lieu de scènes torrides, la romancière détaille les lieux qui ont rendu possible la rencontre de Paul et d’Ema puis ceux qu’ils choisissent pour se rencontrer, pour faire l’amour avant de rentrer au domicile conjugal.
Commençons par le Tribunal des prud’hommes. C’est là que la relation adultère s’est construite et c’est aussi là que Paul aime bousculer Ema. Car ce spécialiste des bâtiments et des travaux publics vit sa liaison comme il gère ses dossiers, rationnellement et avec un souci du respect des règles. En l’occurrence, il se persuade que «leur relation ne s'approfondira jamais» dans cet endroit, que sa partenaire ne dérogera pas aux règles qu’il a pris soin d’établir. Pour éviter toute ambiguité, il a ainsi d’emblée souligné que rien ne devait transparaître de leur «amour», que rien ne devait devenir irrationnel ou incontrôlable. Une double vie, oui, mais cloisonnée et étanche.
Du coup, on ne peut s’empêcher de plaindre Ema qui est beaucoup plus fleur bleue, qui est prête à faire des folies, qui serait même prête à quitter son mari. Mais pour l’heure, elle doit accepter la volonté de son amant. Et sa frustration qui s’incarne par exemple le soir de la fête pour le centenaire du conseil. Là ou lui voit un risque, elle imagine une occasion de se retrouver et de partager davantage d’intimité. Frustrée, Ema le sera aussi dans un second lieu emblématique, la limousine de Paul avec ses fauteuils en cuir et son levier de vitesse. Cer dernier offre au chauffeur l’occasion de glisser sa main vers le genou de sa passagère qu’il assimile alors à sa chose, présente pour son plaisir.
Le seul petit problème, c’est que dans le véhicule on peut les voir et que Paul ne supporte même pas l’idée que l’on puisse le soupçonner de ne pas être un bon mari et père de famille. Aussi quand Ema sonne à sa porte pour émoustiller Paul, elle ne fait qu’allumer un signal d’alarme. Mais il est vrai que le salon de thé d’un centre commercial ou une chambre de Novotel n’ont rien de persnnel, d’intime.
Rendez-vous est alors pris chez Ema, en l’absence de son mari. Mais outre le risque toujours présent de le voir débarquer à l’improviste, il y a aussi les voisins et les passants, susceptibles de voir quelque chose. Reste ce coin entre l’évier et le réfrigérateur, inconfortable certes, mais caché de la rue. Ou encore le coin derrière la porte d’entrée. Bref, c’est l’imagination au pouvoir!
On l’aura compris, le roman fait le démonstration que le malaise – aussi dans le sens d’inconfort – est un tue-l’amour. Que faute d’un lieu où il puisse s’épanouir, l’amour est condamné. Sans espace et sans temps, comme il semblait y en avoir à profusion À l’originalité de la construction, on ajoutera l’économie su style pour souligner les qualités de ce roman. Chaque phrase semble avoir été débarrassée du superflu pour ne conserver que l’essentiel. Du coup, la cruauté est plus cruelle, l’ironie plus mordante, le désespoir plus violent. Une belle réussite ! http://urlz.fr/6TFG
August 24, 2021
The main character is very sad. She doesn’t seem to have any ambition for herself. Within the confines of the affair, she is lost anticipating her lover’s next move and how she can react to it. Even her own marriage and family are never given their own space. The man in the relationship clearly and quickly draws boundaries that keep his life and « his life ». I read to the end to see if she finally finds a way to be herself
February 5, 2024
Very different format from anything else I’ve read, which I very much admire. I enjoyed the way the writer played with style and left a lot up to interpretation. Very artistic and poetic piece.
I wasn’t riveted, engrossed, or super invested in the characters, but I did enjoy the book.
I wasn’t riveted, engrossed, or super invested in the characters, but I did enjoy the book.
March 17, 2018
Un thème si souvent traité dans la littérature, renouvelé ici par une analyse très contemporaine et réaliste.
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