« Hosts » by Merete Stistrup, daily pine – Liberation

It is a title like a reversible overcoat. On the one hand, for example, ribbed velvet, on the other a Scottish print, and it is brought back or back depending on the mood. « Hosts » means depending on the context those who give hospitality or receive it. Here, in this first novel written in French by Merete Stistrup, academic born in Denmark and hexagonal naturalized, « hosts » would rather designate those who are welcomed. More or less well, more easily in any case when one is Danish and blond as is the case of the narrator who is very like the author. Merete Stistrup poses with delicacy and depth many questions about his condition as a French adoption. With returns back to childhood, incursions in the unconscious thanks to dreams and sessions of psychoanalysis, detours towards the linguistic differences between the Danish and the French, she builds a character engaging and rich in her differences.

« You are French » had assembled the administration employee about fifteen years ago. A fact established thanks to stamped paper. But that is not enough to silence the uncertainties at the bottom of oneself. Hypersensitivity, even susceptibility when asked « Why did you come here? ». « The question acts as a trap that closes on me, The foreigner.»» So you have to anticipate, wear a mask. Responding that we fell in love with a Frenchman is the best received answer. « You are ? »