LONG-FORM INTERVIEW, Ivan Garcia | Last March, Pascal Vandenberghe, CEO of Payot bookstores, published *Le Funambule du livre*, followed by *La librairie est un sport de combat*, both with Editions de L’Aire. The book, divided into two parts (a long interview and an essay)—the first of which was reviewed by *Le Regard Libre* in its «Tuesday Books» column—begins by chronicling the professional journey of «Monsieur Payot,» who has worn many hats: mechanic, bookseller at Fnac, publisher, and, since 2004, CEO of Payot SA. In 2014, Pascal Vandenberghe acquired the company from the Lagardère Services group and became CEO of the firm, which encompasses the Payot bookstores and the Nature & Découvertes Suisse chain. Furthermore, the essay «Monsieur Payot» explores the transformations the world of books has undergone over the past forty years through the eyes of a connoisseur. In many ways, Pascal Vandenberghe can be compared to Martin Eden, the hero of one of Jack London’s eponymous novels. An avid reader, our man of the hour is self-taught and has gradually risen to the helm of the largest network of general-interest bookstores in French-speaking Switzerland. To discuss his book, the head of Payot welcomes us to his office in Lausanne—where a portrait of Fritz Payot, the bookstore’s founder, takes pride of place—and talks to us about the role of bookstores in society, the world of books, and the challenges he will soon face.

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