Ambitious and greedy for power
Firing Away With Karine Tuil's Novel - A Thrilling Takedown of Power in All Its Forms
Karine Tuil, a master at tackling contemporary issues with a non-biased, engaging style, is at it again. Her newest novel, The War by Other Means, delves into the murky world of politics and cinema, dishing out a social critique that's as juicy as it is insightful.
Remember Nathalie Collard's rave about Les choses humaines? Well, Tuil hasn't lost a beat. This time, she's got Dan Lehman, a former French president, at the center of the storm. Lehman, distraught after losing an election to an extreme right candidate, wallows in self-pity, drowning his sorrows in booze and bitterness. To stay relevant, he pens a memoir, but a legal threat and a steamy scene send his publicity plans spiraling (think Fugue américaine by the ex-Minister of Economy, Bruno Le Maire).
In Karine Tuil's novels, the line between black and white is always blurred, keeping readers on their toes. Lehman isn't exactly a saint, but he's far from unsympathetic. The world of politics, with its backstage games and dirty tricks, can be a real turn-off. But for those intrigued by human psychology, it's a treat.
The novel's backdrop shifts to Cannes, where Lehman's trophy wife, actress Hilda Müller, prepares to unveil a film directed by a prominent filmmaker. The film, a cynical production if there ever was one, is an adaptation of Lehman's ex-wife Marianne's novel, a plot twist designed to win her back.
Tuil pulls no punches in this world where power struggles can be as fierce as in the political sphere.
As Lehman's downfall unfolds, so does a commentary on social media's potential to destroy reputations built over years in mere seconds. The old saying goes - power is the ultimate solitude - and Tuil nails it in this riveting human comedy. In the end, it's the patriarchy - the power of all men - that comes under the microscope in this highly successful novel.
The War by Other Means
Karine Tuil
Gallimard
384 pages
8/10
Insights:- Karine Tuil's novel explores the intersection of power, politics, and societal dynamics.- The work could examine the fragility of power and traditional structures in a connected world.- A potential critique of social media amplifying conflicts and weaponizing visibility is hinted at.- The narrative could reflect the chaos of modern power dynamics through creative techniques like shifting perspectives and temporal jumps.
Unfortunately, the ex-president Dan Lehman, the central character in Karine Tuil's novel The War by Other Means, is not exactly a political saint. Despite his questionable actions, he is far from being unsympathetic.
Karine Tuil's penchant for portraying the murky world of power politics extends to the entertainment industry as well, offering a treat for those intrigued by human psychology.
The novel delves into the potential destructive power of social media, revealing how it can shatter reputations built over years in mere seconds.
In this novel, Tuil treats readers to a political novelist's thrilling takedown of power in all its forms, both in the political arena and behind the scenes of the entertainment industry.
