2 Literary Events In Montclair For Local Francophiles

MONTCLAIR, NJ — A pair of literary events in Montclair will give local Francophiles a reason to pick up their bookmarks this weekend.

The following event postings come courtesy of the French Institute Alliance Française (FIAF).

A Conversation With Marie Darrieussecq

• Saturday, April 6, 7-9 pm
• Location: Cinema 505
• In English

French author Marie Darrieussecq will present her newly translated book Sleepless: A Memoir of Insomnia (Pas dormir, trans. by Penny Hueston, 2023) to U.S. audiences.

Plagued by insomnia for twenty years, Marie Darrieussecq turns her attention to the causes, implications, and consequences of sleeplessness. Prevented from falling asleep by her dread of exhaustion the next day, Darrieussecq turns to hypnosis, psychoanalysis, alcohol, pills, and meditation. Her entrapment within this spiraling anguish prompts her inspired, ingenious search across literature, geopolitical history, psychoanalysis, and her own experience to better understand where insomnia comes from and what it might mean. Ranging between autobiography, clinical observation, and criticism, Sleepless is a graceful, inventive meditation by one of the most daring novelists writing today.

Author and FIAF Cultural Director, Violaine Huisman, will lead the conversation with Marie Darrieussecq. The talk will be followed by a book signing and reception where wine, cheese, charcuterie and desserts will be served.

This event is presented in partnership with Villa Albertine and Watchung Booksellers.

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French Story Time with Marie Darrieussecq

• Sunday, April 7, 2024, 2-3 pm
• Location: Watchung Booksellers – The Kids' Room
• In French and English

Montclair families can join author Marie Darrieussecq for a French and English reading of two of her children’s books: Péronnille the Knight (Péronnille la chevalière), and The Dog Kibble (Le Chien Croquette), illustrated by Nelly Blumenthal.

Péronille the Knight (Péronnille la chevalière) | For children ages 6-7

Péronnille is a knight, that’s her job. She fights villains and defends kingdoms. In love with the prince with the mandolin, she must pass three tests to be able to marry him: slay the dragon, answer the riddle of the seven wise men, buy shaving cream in the land of the Barbers. Péronnille emerges victorious, but now the prince is making more demands!

The Dog Kibble (Le chien Croquette) | For children ages 4-5

“When I was little, my neighbors had a dog named Croquette. My mother and father didn’t want a dog. So I played with Croquette. One day the neighbor asked my mother and father if we could keep Croquette. The neighbor warned me: Croquette is a nice dog, but you should never, ever touch his kibble!” Finally a book that gives children hopes of one day owning a dog, while also giving hope to the parents that don’t want to own a dog.

The readings will be followed by an arts and crafts project.

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