Le Boulevard de la SolitudeJohn MalicorneLabel: The Conrad PressDescription: ‘Le Boulevard de la Solitude’ a story of love and hate is set in Paris in the1980s with its distinctive character – exhilarating daunting. When Paul Mortimerarrives there he is dazed by culture shock. Finding a job in a large companyhe befriends a brilliant young director Rachel Cziffra who introduces him intoParisian society. Her husband Fabrice is a successful ‘high-tech’ businessmanand a future member of the French Parliament. Immensely rich they live in the16th arrondissement the so-called ‘Golden Triangle’ and own amagnificent chateau in Normandy. YetFabrice’s fortune is based on corruption and when he leaves Rachel for abeautiful Moldovan call-girl he falls under the influence of a criminal gang.The ensuing divorce destroys them both. Eventually Rachel becomes the victim ofa murder attempt disappears and is presumed dead. Paul is left searching forher.‘Le Boulevard de la Solitude’ vividly captures the essence of Parisian society atthat time – from the ‘metro work and sleep’ lives of commuters to thesplendour of the upper classes in the rich quarters. John Malicorne’scharacters exist in an illusionary world of hierarchies codes and rituals - aprehistoric dreamtime tribe harbouring an inner malaise. Theplot plays out with the effervescent sordidness of Paris as a backdrop.
