La frontière belge

by Jean Rolin

Voici un petit roman qui grouille de personnages hors du commun pris dans le tourbillon d'une histoire farfelue. Nous sommes la frontire belge qui semble aussi infranchissable qu'un rideau de fer ou qu'une muraille de Chine. Il faudra un enchanement de circonstances hautement improbables pour que le narrateur franchisse, presque son insu, cette frontire qui n'est rien moins que celle qui spare la ralit du rve, et qui se nomme "littrature".

Paperback

Published February 7, 2001

About the author

Jean Rolin is a French writer and journalist known for his distinctive narrative style and profound exploration of sociopolitical issues. Born on June 14, 1949, in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Rolin has had a career marked by an interplay between journalism and literature. His works often blend fiction and reportage, creating a unique hybrid that reflects his sharp observational skills and deep engagement with the world.

Rolin studied literature at the University of Paris but found himself drawn to the tumultuous political landscape of the 1960s. He became actively involved in leftist movements, an experience that later influenced his writing, particularly in his nuanced depictions of political and social dynamics.

His career as a journalist took him to various parts of the globe, including Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. These experiences enriched his literary work, as he frequently draws upon his travels to craft vivid narratives. His writing captures not only the physical landscapes but also the complexities of human existence in these regions.

Rolin’s literary debut came in 1980 with "Journal de Gand aux Aléoutiennes, a work that set the tone for his blend of memoir, travelogue, and fiction. He has since published numerous books, including L'Explosion de la durite (1997), Le Ravissement de Britney Spears (2011), and Les Événements (2020). His works are characterized by an understated yet incisive humor, a keen eye for detail, and an ability to illuminate the absurdities of contemporary life.

In addition to his literary achievements, Rolin has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Prix Médicis in 1996 for L'Homme qui a vu l'ours and the Prix Ptolémée in 2014 for Ormuz.

Reviews

[Hélène Espérou]

Un court récit à la fois poétique et hyper réaliste. On se laisse porter sans tout comprendre par le récit du narrateur qui finit par réaliser son souhait de franchir la frontière belge au bout d’une succession d’événements rêvés : disparition d’illusionnistes lors d’une croisière au Spitzberg ou non : meurtre de Lilas.
Et une langue de précision et de poésie, envoûtante comme toujours chez Jean Rolin.