Invisible Love (25 page)

The final theme I detect is that of symbolic embodiment. David allows Jean and Laurent to experience a virtual fatherhood, and Jean allows Geneviève to have the success and recognition she has never known. The dogs called Argos become Dr. Heymann's wife, and Miranda's mother. Mozart gives Georg Nissen the genius he was unable to demonstrate when he wrote poetry as a young man, as well as the possibility of living in close proximity to a great creator. Vilma the kidnapper represents the dark side of Alba, whereas Jonas allows her to find fulfilment as a surrogate mother. As for young Mélissa, she embodies the child rejected by Séverine and Benjamin.

 

*

 

Bruno and Yann also point out to me that all these stories are about love.

That's so natural to me, I hadn't even noticed it. Have I ever written a story about anything else?

Foreign readers will be delighted and will again think of it as “typically French!”

 

*

 

There is something that has surprised me ever since I first started out: I only realize the coherence of my work in hindsight. Unity is not something I aim at, but something I discover. Sentences, characters, situations, and stories leak from my brain like juice.

Although it may dream of Burgundy or Bordeaux, a Beaujolais vine can only produce Beaujolais.

 

 

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, playwright, novelist, and author of short stories, was awarded the French Academy's Grand Prix du Théâtre in 2001. He is one of Europe's most popular authors. His many novels and story collections include
The Most Beautiful Book in the World
(Europa Editions, 2009),
The Woman with the Bouquet
(Europa Editions, 2010),
Concerto to the Memory of an Angel
(Europa Editions, 2011) and
Three Women in a Mirror
(Europa Editions, 2013).

“The stories Schmitt supplies offer something to live by. They read like modern fairy tales.”—
Foreword Reviews

 

 

The Most Beautiful Book in the World

“There is a surprising sweetness to these stories of redemption and reconciliation. They carry a slight pleasant aftertaste, a lingering hint of delight.”—
The Boston Globe

 

$15.00 - 9781933372847 - August 2009

 

Read more on Europa Editions website

 

The Woman with the Bouquet

“Schmitt works some powerful magic in these slim stories.”—
NPR

 

$15.00 - 9781933372815 - September 2010

 

Read more on Europa Editions website

 

Concerto to the Memory of an Angel

“A wonderful book of everyday heroes who will haunt readers for a long time to come.”—
L'Express

 

$15.00 - 9781609450090 - June 2011

 

Read more on Europa Editions website

 

Three Women in a Mirror

“Beautifully translated and masterfully written.”—
Kirkus Reviews
(starred)

 

$17.00 - 9781609451226 - July 2013

 

Read more on Europa Editions website