Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt

Four fates, four stories where Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, with a formidable sense of psychological suspense, explores the most violent and secret feelings that govern our lives. How can we rediscover our share of humanity when life has led us into envy, perversion, indifference and crime?--Translation of page 4 of cover by Espace culturel.

From the love story between Balthazar, wealthy and successful author, and Odette, cashier at a supermarket, to the tale of a barefooted princess; from the moving story of a group of female prisoners in a Soviet gulag to the entertaining portrait of a perennially disgruntled perfectionist. Here are eight contemporary fables, populated by a cast of extravagant and affecting characters, about people in search of happiness. Odette Toulemonde was adapted...

"Qui parle ? Une certaine Carlotta Berlumi. Le nom de cette mystérieuse vieille dame n'évoque rien à personne, pourtant elle soutient mordicus qu'elle connut son heure de gloire à la Scala et fut la plus grande rivale de Maria Callas. À l'entendre, la cantatrice grecque parvint, à force de manœuvres et de combines, à la jeter aux oubliettes, mais elle lui rendit la monnaie de sa pièce en précipitant sa chute. Carlotta prend-elle ses désirs...