LEAN ON ME
by Serge Joncour
translated by Jane Aitken & Louise Rogers Lalaurie

Published Today

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When a flock of crows invades their shared apartment block, farmer-turned-debt collector Ludovic and fashion designer Aurore speak for the first time. With nothing but the birds in common, the two are destined for separate lives, yet are drawn inexplicably together.

Though their story is set in Paris, the tale of Ludovic and Aurore is far from an idyllic romance. With one trapped in an unhappy marriage and the other lost in grief, the city of love has brought each of them only isolation and pain. Love between such different people seems doomed to failure, but for these two unhappy souls trapped in ruthless worlds, perhaps loving one another is the greatest form of resistance.

From the author of Wild Dog, Lean on Me explores the realities of unlikely love, and how connection and intimacy offer us an escape from the loneliness of the modern world

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‘Life beyond the périphérique beltway’ | Louise Rogers Lalaurie on Translating Lean on Me

"I think ‘register’ and tone are the biggest challenge when translating from French: things that sound natural or everyday in French can come out rather heavy-handed or high-flown in English."

Co-translator of Lean on Me Louise Rogers Lalaurie discusses Serge Joncour's novel, the peculiar challenges of translating from French to English, and her dream translation projects.

Watch Louise Rogers Lalaurie read a passage from Lean on Me for the Translators Aloud YouTube project

READ THE BLOG POST

'Reconciling Opposites' | Q&A with Serge Joncour

“It seems to me that there are multiple forms of loneliness; from the loneliness you feel when you are physically alone, to the loneliness you feel when surrounded by others.”

Serge Joncour answers questions on Lean on Me, the writing life, and his fascination with the natural world on the Gallic Books blog.

READ THE Q&A

‘This richly observed and thoughtful novel is part love story, part meditation on the loneliness of urban life and the necessity of connection’
Booklist Magazine

‘Serge Joncour has perfected his work down to the very last detail’
Le Parisien

‘Some books have an unexpectedly powerful effect on you. Lean on Me, despite its deceptively calm title, is one of these, [with] lyrical lines that stay with you long after the book is closed’
Elle

‘A terrific love story’
Livres Hebdo

‘Joncour describes the dizzying effects of love and the power of attraction without raising the tone, retaining instead the magic behind a sentence that allows you to move seamlessly from laughing to crying’
Télérama

‘An agonizingly charming love story’
Culture Papier

‘A call to openness… an optimistic, comforting story’
Le Devoir

‘A love story that also paints an image of society and is interspersed with humour, tenderness and intelligence. Joncour … is in his element. Clearly, we can lean on him’
L’Express

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LEAN ON ME by Serge Joncour translated by Jane Aitken & Louise Rogers Lalaurie

Published Today

Watch Louise Rogers Lalaurie read a passage from Lean on Me for the Translators Aloud YouTube project

LEAN ON ME
by Serge Joncour
translated by Jane Aitken & Louise Rogers Lalaurie