Winner of the Goncourt Prize for
Living Quickly
(Éd. Flammarion), Brigitte Giraud confides in us her impressions at the bend of an alley of the Brive-la-Gaillarde Book Fair.
Her fourteenth novel allowed her to pick up the thread of chance or fate that led to the tragic death of her husband, a music critic, in a motorcycle accident.
“Explosion of collective joy”
My state at the time of the proclamation of the Goncourt Prize?
In excited expectation, with the whole team in the offices of my publishing house, we were beginning to disbelieve it as the deliberations lengthened in time.
It was an explosion of collective joy.
Talking about yourself in promo, is it a chore?
Not in the least, more of an exercise to avoid repeating yourself!
It is also an opportunity for great encounters just after the prize.
During this Brive Book Fair, meeting smiles and reflections is very surprising.
A lady told me that I had given her courage for the future.
What's the nicest compliment I've ever received?
"It's been so long since I wish it was you!"
To write, do I need?
Silence, the four walls of my house, a computer.
The subject that makes me go out of my hinges?
The single thought, the pros or cons without nuances, the visible or invisible manipulation.
What triggered me to embark on this story?
When it was time to empty our house, for a new move, we had to sort out our belongings, musical instruments, records... I felt projected forward, and finally up to it to take the time to look who was the other, to give a form of universality, a social bond, to an intimate and implacable event.
repossess
With this work opens a new chapter?
Writing on this subject allowed me to come out of the status of passive victim of events to regain possession of the course of my life.
The music I listen to on repeat?
It changes from start to finish.
My relationship to music has changed a lot: I am a child of cold wave, with The Cure, Joy Division.
After the disappearance of my companion, who was a musician and music critic, I could no longer listen to anything.
I then understood the words of Marguerite Duras on the same subject.
She confided that at one point in her life music terrified her: "It upsets me and I can't listen to it, whereas I could when I was young, still ignorant and naive."
I found her a poseur.
Subsequently, I understood very well what she could experience.
What do you think when you look in the mirror in the morning?
Oh you, you haven't slept enough!
The question I'm dreading or not answering?
Did this book allow you to grieve?
“Seduction is necessary for me”
Am I in seduction mode or in warrior mode?
Both modes suit me perfectly: life consists of adapting and fighting at every moment, and seduction is necessary for me if it allows me to stay as close as possible to myself!
Still the sacred fire?
Yes, so much so that sometimes I wonder where this energy comes from.
Even to start a book again with the immense desire to rebuild despite everything.
What do I like to be said about me?
That my books resemble me or that I resemble my books!
The last time I was proud of myself?
From me and also from the whole Flammarion team for the Goncourt prize!
What is beautiful is to share the greatest misfortunes and the greatest happiness with the collective.
What am I going to do after this interview?
Going for a walk in the mountains: that's what keeps me going.
“Live fast”, by Brigitte Giraud, Éditions Flammarion, 208 p. €20.
