But the lineage is there, in the language, in the staccato sentences, and most of all in the fatalism, the sense that we have no control and this is simply the way it had to be.

We meet him around 24 hours before their departure, as Léo, by coincidence, witnesses the suicide of his friend Oscar. Mi accingevo a vivere l’ultimo giorno di vacanze, quello più caldo, forse addirittura il più caldo degli ultimi diciassette anni.

I read this really quickly as it's just over 100 pages long, so perfect for lunch breaks or relaxing in the bath.

Given the weather that much of the United States has been experiencing lately, it’s perfect timing for the English-language release of Victor Jestin’s HEATWAVE, which was originally published in French in 2019.

This slim but memorable novel of teenage boredom and discontent is the ideal accompaniment to the hottest days of summer, whether you’re reading it while basking on a beach somewhere or comfortably relaxing in air conditioning . More nuanced and emotionally engaging is Demon’s fierce attachment to his home ground, a place where he is known and supported, tested to the breaking point as the opiate epidemic engulfs it. It's small and French and the main character is indifferent and angsty and also someone dies violently.

Der eigentliche Clou ist ohnehin das Hintergrundrauschen in den Ohren: Léo hat eine Schuld auf sich geladen, oder zumindest eine Dummheit gemacht.With a searing voice, Victor Jestin captures the stale air of tents, the cheap music, the guys disguised in pink bunny suits who force you to have fun, teenagers as poignant as they are idiotic, rage, desire, absurdity.