«Carnaval noir» or the eternal return of evil

Tuesday books - Jonas Follonier

Metin Arditi's latest novel, Black Carnival, was published in August 2018 by Editions Grasset. Set against the backdrop of a suspenseful story, it recounts the eternal return of human folly and can be read at any time as a warning. And it may well be that our own era is not immune to some kind of infernal carnival.

«Every bridge, every palace, every canal was an occasion for emotion, discovery, and wonder. No matter how foul the waters were, how much the facades of the buildings were corroded by sea salt, or how unbearable the air was with heat and stench, Venice was irresistible.»

The story begins in 2016 in Venice with the murder of a young student who is writing a thesis on one of the most distinguished Venetian brotherhoods of the 16th^th century. The brotherhood had been targeted by a series of mysterious murders during the Venice Carnival of 1575, which history would soon come to call the «Black Carnival.» The brotherhood’s main residence had also been burned down. Now, nearly five centuries later, men in disguise, humming festive tunes, draw this doctoral student into their procession, close in on her, and push her into the waters of the lagoon.

Alongside this strange crime—which will be followed by others just as baffling—a Geneva professor of medieval Latin, Bénédict Hugues, discovers a hidden letter dating from the 16th century inside the binding of an ancient book^th century. This marks the beginning of a thrilling investigation involving the Latin scholar, the dean of the tragically deceased student in Venice, and a journalist from the Time and various experts. At the same time, the reader witnesses the machinations of the perpetrators of these crimes—a far-right group with ties to the conservative wing of the Roman Curia that has formed an unholy alliance with ISIS.

The plot unfolds in the most modern and enjoyable way possible, just like in a TV series. The chapters are very short; the narrative is straightforward. Yet the content is also intelligent. Beyond the suspense and the little love stories, the novel is brimming with subtlety and kindness—elements that Metin Arditi has come to be known for among his many readers through his novels and other writings. In short, the author’s intelligence often shines through in the narrator and the characters he brings to life. That is precisely what makes the novel so compelling: it helps us understand human nature and make sense of people and the world.

«Mado thought to herself that she might be experiencing the best moments of her new relationship—like when a gambler stands at the roulette table and watches the ball spin around the wheel, ready to believe it will bring him fortune. That will likely not be the case, but at that moment, he can still dream.»

Furthermore, as this quote attests, Metin Arditi’s strength also lies in his talent as a storyteller. The author has a masterful command of the closing clause at the end of paragraphs, which, so to speak, summarizes the main idea of a short passage while, on a purely musical level, creating an ascending cadence that highlights the ending. Examples of this kind abound, without ever becoming too frequent; that would grow tiresome. Added to this literary technique is a meticulous use of ellipses, free indirect speech—a way of getting inside the characters’ heads—and even a touch of humor. «What’s your sixth finger called? — All my fingers have the same name,» Bartolomeo replied. “They’re the fingers of Christ.” “You’re lucky,” the little girl replied.»

Read also | Metin Arditi: «In all my books, I’ve sought my father’s approval»

This formal and narrative excellence creates a thrilling reading experience, thanks to a well-crafted plot rooted in the tensions of our time. The Great Replacement, the Pope’s stance in favor of migrants, ISIS, the weight of history, the conflicts in the Middle East, Swiss banks—it covers it all. While the psychology of certain characters could have been better developed, Black Carnival stands out as a great success in the category of books you can’t put down from start to finish. That’s because this novel offers food for thought on the shift that can occur from reason to madness. And on the tragically irrational nature of history, which nevertheless sometimes seems to repeat itself.

Write to the author: jonas.follonier@leregardlibre.com

Photo credit: © Jonas Follonier for Le Regard Libre

Metin Arditi
Black Carnival
Editions Grasset
2018
400 pages

This book is now available in paperback from Point-Seuil.