Our 6 essential favorites for getting away from it all

1. “Aqua”, by Gaspard Koenig

Ed. of the Observatory, 446 p.; €23.

The inhabitants of Saint-Firmin, in Normandy, are like other French people: breeders, farmers, bakers, naturopaths, survivalists, both grumpy, generous and selfish, from various political sides… Manager of a friendly grocery store, a bit of a psychologist for her flock, Maria is the mayor of the village to which she has managed to bring life back.

But a native of the country who moved to Paris, Martin Jobard, a young political wolf and nephew of a local farmer, would take his place away. In the municipal elections, he presented himself with the project of modernizing the drinking water network, supported by state services who would like to impose a little rationality on these Normans resistant to change.

Because what they want is to keep their source. This source which has always supplied the village has never dried up, but who knows! With what is happening today, the flood in June and the drought in winter. War is declared, and an entire small village will resist the bureaucrats. All ? Not sure. Especially since the prefect, the water agency, administrative concerns…

Rich in well-defined characters, Gaspard Koenig’s well-documented social comedy hits the mark and can be read in one go, with jubilation and a beautiful note of hope. Aqua is the second romantic volume in his series on the four elements, begun with HumusInterallié 2023 prize. We love it and we’re waiting for what’s next!

Muriel Fauriat

Our opinion: PPP