«Sir Thomas's Strange Christmas»: a publicity stunt or a stroke of genius?

Tuesday's books - Amélie Wauthier

I found myself with this book in my hands hands without really knowing what to expect. A new A new publishing house that unites six authors around a single character-concept? I have to admit that, ordinarily, I'd have turned my attention away before I'd through all their names. Nothing exasperates me more than the false good ideas of people who no longer know to be original, leaving me with a bitter taste of disappointment most of the time. taste of disappointment. But this collection wasn't entrusted to me by just anyone, and, and, today, I tell myself that it surely deserves at least a chance... a chance...

In the preface, we learn how this project came about, what guidelines and constraints were imposed on the various writers who took part: the same description of an imaginary character was given to six different personalities. Here’s to the two of us (or seven of us?), Sir Thomas!

The first story is just under sixty pages long. I tell myself that at least, if I don’t like it, I’ll reach the end quickly and move on to the next one. (Yes, sometimes I find myself being a bit of a killjoy!) Fortunately, Marie Javet’s writing style is quite easy to read; I was quickly drawn into this unsettling, even Kafkaesque story, in which a father sets out to find his wife and children, whom he’s lost track of in the middle of an amusement park. Fifty-eight pages later, I appreciate the ending—which I won’t reveal to you—and the excitement it stirred within me. The same excitement I felt watching the movies Fight Club and Inception a few years ago.

I haven't yet decided between my intention to slowly explore each novella and my desire to devour them greedily. I pour myself a cup of tea so I can fully savor the atmosphere this first story has immersed me in and reflect on the questions it has sparked.

A change of author, a change of century—here we are in 1832. A change of tone, too! (You might say that, given the change in author, this was rather predictable.) Two men face off in a duel, somewhere on the grounds of the McFergus Estate in Jamaica. One of them is Sir Thomas McFergus, author of the manuscript we discover a few pages later. In it, he recounts his various adventures during his travels in Europe.

The events I am about to recount may seem implausible—or, at best, exaggerated. That is why, since you alone are in a position to recognize their truth—which I attest to on my honor—this account is intended exclusively for you. (…) These experiences have made me the man I am today, with all my weaknesses and contradictions. 

Sir Thomas’s story is told in period French that reveals all the grace and delicacy of this language that I love so much! I take great pleasure in reading this text, which Olivier May has managed to make thrilling in both form and substance. Traveling the world to fight against slavery and put an end to it, this gentleman The discerning reader will be captivated by their senses and emotions. These two themes resonate in a certain way with our contemporary world. I love it!

I still have four Sir Thomases left to meet. In Last Christmas in Trapellun, by Nicolas Feuz, I can feel the biting cold of the snow stinging my neck. With A Werewolf for Christmas. The Gospel According to Sir Thomas, Christelle Magarotto takes me on a wild ride down America’s open highways and blows me away. G.W.'s Unexpected Past. Olivia Gerig’s story keeps me on the edge of my seat for fifty-two pages. In the end, I’m completely won over by Chatherine Rolland’s sharp wit, which wraps up this collection with The Extractor and a lot of talent.

Overall, I really enjoyed discovering these six worlds, as well as the very different versions of the same character that the authors were able to portray. So many «crazy» minds that the editors of this new publishing house had the talent to bring together. I congratulate them on their bold gamble—I’m in a good position to know just how sensitive people can be to even the slightest negative criticism —and what a success it was!

Sir Thomas's Strange Christmas
Nicolas Feuz, Olivia Gerig et alii
Okama Publishing
2019
395 pages