Les sirènes d’Es Vedrá by Tom Charbit

Abstract

Reviewed by: Les sirènes d’Es Vedrá by Tom Charbit Alain Ranwez Charbit, Tom. Les sirènes d’Es Vedrá. Seuil, 2022. ISBN 978-2-02-148338-3. Pp. 336. After twenty fortuitous years as a DJ, Juan Llosa, known as Jean by his family, has attained international renown and capacious financial success, but his life is also tainted by alcoholism, drug addiction, and practically nonstop international travel. This thriving ascendancy comes, however, to an unexpected halt as he develops a severe case of tinnitus, causing a vertiginous catastrophic fall from his professional fame since he can no longer control, as a DJ, what he must choose to hear and create. Not unlike Ulysses who had protected himself from the chants of the sirens on the islands of Es Vedrá (small islands east of Ibiza), Juan must now, symbolically, find refuge from his world’s electronic music now menacing the dire existence he is presently fostering. Thanks to an agreement he makes with his close friend, Juan trades his Parisian apartment for a house in a small village situated in Ardèche. It is during this period of self-exile, in which Juan turns forty, that we are meaningfully acquainted with Juan, his old and newfound friends, his lifelong love affair with Ana, and the quest, if at all possible, of a meaning for a new life. As Juan recalls: “Je ne me souviens plus exactement quand j’ai commencé à m’interroger sur le sens de la vie mais ça doit dater de cette époque” (166). This two-year period also introduces the inquisitive reader to many notable societal questions concerning ecology, capitalism, the dispute of shale mining, terrorism, political manifestations, personal happiness, the difficulty of relationships, many of which are accompanied by strong digressions. It is a narration often rich, at times pessimistic and even cruel leading to a most incredible ending. It is furthermore a most touching love story, often pleasantly accompanied with light humor, especially with Juan’s escapades with friends during their many parties, soirées at a local bar and the discovery of a savory drink, which the friends call poire-chat. The novel is also an intriguing look upon modern society encompassing a powerful story of self-derision, self-discovery, eventual self-cure... and true love. [End Page 211] Alain Ranwez Metropolitan State University of Denver, emeritus Copyright © 2022 American Association of Teachers of French