On Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 'La Grande Librairie' invites viewers to reconnect with their childhoods during this week's theme: exploring the innocence and perspective of youth. The show, hosted by Augustin Trapenard, will air at 9:05 PM on France 5 and will feature a lineup of four distinguished authors.
Literary sensation Joël Dicker will be on the show to discuss his latest release, La Très Catastrophique Visite du Zoo. This book marks Dicker's shift toward family-friendly storytelling, offering readers a gripping investigation set against the backdrop of childhood experiences. Dicker's previous works have garnered widespread acclaim, selling over five million copies worldwide, and this new offering is positioned to spark similar excitement.
Accompanying Dicker is Danièle Sallenave, who will present her deeply personal narrative, La Splendide Promesse. This book reflects on her post-war childhood, her life's engagements, and the ideals of justice and progress instilled by the republican school system. Sallenave asks poignant questions about how these ideals have held up over time.
Next, the show welcomes Philippe Besson, who brings forth his 26th book, Vous parler de mon fils. This work dives deep as it recounts the harrowing story of Besson's own guilt as he seeks to understand the circumstances surrounding his son’s tragic death by suicide. His narrative serves as both an exploration of personal grief and a critique of the ordinary violence of bullying.
Lastly, Simon Liberati will share insights from his autobiographical coming-of-age novel, Stanislas. Through this evocative memoir, Liberati traverses his spirited youth, narratively framed within the turbulent backdrop of the May 68 protests, evoking the arduous yet formative experiences of his school years.
Besides the literary discussions, the episode will also feature engaging field reports. One such report will take viewers to Samatan, situated in the Gers region, to showcase the 'Librairie Buissonnière', run by local booksellers Magali and Vladimir Moscovici. This charming bookstore operates out of the home of a former middle school teacher, embodying the spirit of community literacy.
Another segment will highlight the educational dynamics when poet and slam artist Souleymane Diamanka engages with 4th-grade students to explore the latest novel by renowned American author Richard Powers, Un Jeu Sans Fin. This segment promises to be both enlightening and inspiring.
With its strong focus on childhood and personal narratives, this episode of 'La Grande Librairie' is set to offer viewers not just literary insight but also emotional resonance, capturing how our earliest experiences shape our perspectives today. Don’t miss this opportunity to relive the cherished moments of youth through literature.
Tune in to 'La Grande Librairie' on February 26 at 9:05 PM on France 5 or catch it on streaming via France.TV.