Publisher
:
Gallimard
Parution date
:
2001
EAN
:
9782070761982
Description
The conquest of Brazil by the French is one of the most extraordinary and least known events of the Renaissance period.
Rouge Brésil tells the story of two children, Just and Colombe, who were forced to participate in this expedition as interpreters for the native tribes. In the wild landscape of Rio, a jungle still in the hands of cannibals, the dashing and sophisticated chevalier de Villegagnon puts on a dress rehearsal, ten years early, for the religious wars which were to follow.
As we follow the story of Just and Colombe, we discover two diametrically opposed conceptions of man and nature. On the one hand, the imposing European civilization which, with its intentions of liberating Brazil, is ultimately murderous. On the other, the indigenous world, with its sensuality, deep sense of harmony and of the sacred, and its constant pursuit of happiness.
Rouge Brésil was awarded the 2001 prix Goncourt.
Author
Jean-Christophe Rufin :
Jean-Christophe Rufin is the celebrated cofounder of Doctors Without Borders. He has won the prix Goncourt and is the author of several novels, including the prize-winning L’Abbyssin (Gallimard, 1997; published in English as The Abyssinian, W.W. Norton, 1999), Sauver Ispahan (Gallimard, 1998; published in English as The Siege of Isfahan, W.W. Norton, 2002), and the prize-winning Rouge Brésil (Gallimard, 2002; published in English as Brazil Red, W.W. Norton, 2004). Currently France’s ambassador to Sénégal, Rufin has also been involved in covert operations to liberate hostages, in particular in Africa and the Balkans. Le parfum d’Adam has sold in 10 countries: in Italy to Bompiani, in Germany to Fischer, in Spain to Ediciones B, and in Russia, Poland, Slovenia, Greece, Korea, Lithuania, and the Czech Republic.
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