First novel by Sigolène Vinson
La Requine, the first novel by Sigolène Vinson, explores themes of life, nature, and memory through a poetic and introspective narrative. Vinson, a survivor of the January 7, 2015, attack on Charlie Hebdo, recounts her journey of rebuilding her life after facing death. She reflects on the fragility and beauty of the living world, while expressing her love for landscapes and personal experiences, including a solo paddle trip near the Étang de Berre, a lake considered one of Europe's largest saltwater bodies.Étang de Berre as a central symbol
The Étang de Berre, described as a “great lake wounded by human activities,” is central to Vinson’s reflections on ecosystem rehabilitation and the need to protect nature. She weaves connections between the world of sharks and that of humans, describing a day when she discovers a shark tooth embedded in a rock, sparking a memory journey. This naturalistic and sensory narrative contrasts joy with sorrow while exploring otherness and the expansion of self into the dimensions of society, the planet, and human history.Vinson’s engagement with ecology and politics
Vinson, who has become a elected official and works with scientists, emphasizes the urgency of connecting with living things and inscribing the traces of life into the soil. She also recounts childhood memories in Djibouti, including a visit to Khor Ambado with her father, who was a victim of a bomb attack in 1987. These experiences deeply influence her vision of life and nature.A nomadic narrative on preservation
The book, which blends introspection and ecological reflection, is described as a nomadic narrative that contrasts joy with sorrow and explores otherness. It testifies to the beauty of what once existed on Earth while highlighting the importance of preserving nature.
