Patrick Modiano
Un cirque passe (1992)
Jean le narrateur, jeune homme de 18 ans est interrogé par la police car son nom apparaît dans une enquête. Juste après lui, une jeune femme est également convoquée. Ce maigre lien intrigue le narrateur qui se lie avec la jeune femme. Autour d'eux, gravitent des êtres louches, fantasmagoriques. Le père du narrateur s'est enfui en Suisse pour une obscure raison, et son appartement est occupé par Grabey, un ami aux activités tout aussi nébuleuses. La jeune Gisèle cache des valises au contenu lourd chez Jean et elle fréquente des milieux interlopes. Chacun garde ses secrets tapis au fond de sa mémoire, ne distillant les informations que sporadiquement. Ainsi Jean évolue dans une atmosphère cotonneuse, trouble, en gardant en ligne de mire un ailleurs mythique, Rome, comme un échappatoire à une réalité désoeuvrée.
The bridge of Arts
Opposite the apartment, the Pont des Arts allows you to pass in a few strides from the left bank to the right bank. Modiano will cross this symbolic border very early to join his mother who plays au Fountain Theater. And to discover new neighborhoods.
"Passing on the right bank, I had the feeling of entering a space of freedom but also of disturbing adventure. It is linked to very specific memories of a police station, which was installed in the square courtyard of the Louvre, just before rue de Rivoli. For me, it symbolizes a kind of customs post. We reached the left bank by the very provincial Pont des Arts, which was rather charming. On the other hand, I could not access the left bank right, at least in my imagination as a 14-year-old child who still thought he was breaking the law, that by crossing this dark and threatening customs guarded by policemen in caps..."
The bridge of Arts
Opposite the apartment, the Pont des Arts allows you to pass in a few strides from the left bank to the right bank. Modiano will cross this symbolic border very early to join his mother who plays au Fountain Theater. And to discover new neighborhoods.
"Passing on the right bank, I had the feeling of entering a space of freedom but also of disturbing adventure. It is linked to very specific memories of a police station, which was installed in the square courtyard of the Louvre, just before rue de Rivoli. For me, it symbolizes a kind of customs post. We reached the left bank by the very provincial Pont des Arts, which was rather charming. On the other hand, I could not access the left bank right, at least in my imagination as a 14-year-old child who still thought he was breaking the law, that by crossing this dark and threatening customs guarded by policemen in caps..."