Bénédicte Dupré la Tour's new novel, Zones à défendre, has received notable critical acclaim and is part of the selection by the newspaper Le Monde for its annual prize. The story centers on Clémence, whose relationship with her mother is both intense and full of conflict. Her mother is portrayed as a strong-willed individual who became deeply involved in conspiracy theories during the Covid-19 pandemic. She holds narrow-minded, racist, and intolerant views and is a fervent Catholic who believes in fake news she finds online and tries to convince others of the validity of her theories. Clémence's brother is depicted as a failed poet with natural talent for writing, but he is also lazy, pretentious, and an angry anti-capitalist who believes his words can change the world. The novel explores a dysfunctional family dynamic, with Clémence caught between her desire for reason and the chaos around her. Her job as a manager in a waste disposal company adds to her internal struggles, as she grapples with the moral implications of her work. The novel also includes chapters that follow life in an autonomous ZAD, or "zone à défendre," which refers to areas occupied by activists to resist urban development or industrial projects. A character nicknamed Charp, due to his carpentry skills, is featured in these sections. While the connection between Clémence's family story and the ZAD is not immediately clear, it gradually becomes apparent as the narrative unfolds. The book is described as humorous, offering a critique of the excesses of modern life and the flaws of the contemporary world. Published by Flammarion, Zones à défendre is a 352-page novel priced at 21.50 €. It blends personal drama with social commentary, offering readers both entertainment and reflection on modern society.