The Italian capital is a city that makes you dream. Terribly romantic, full and nourished by a pervasive culture, it is one of the most popular destinations for couples, a perfect choice for a honeymoon. In libraries, books that deal with Rome and Italian heritage are everywhere. And yet, few historical thrillers take place in fascist Italy, at the dawn of the Second World War. The exercise is complex, especially for Michel Chevallier, an author who had not published a novel or fiction until now. In reality, Michel Chevallier is not a beginner. Having already written for Swiss politicians, this Genevan passionate about this neighboring country masters his pen. "Rome is a woman" is a historical policeman, who uses a real backstory and sometimes characters who have existed, in order to weave an effective plot.
"Rome is a woman", the first novel by Michel Chevallier
For this first novel, Michel Chevallier chose the editions of L'Harmattan. This publishing house is particularly renowned for the diversity of its catalog. There is a plethora of atypical books that are published within this structure. The book was published on October 9, 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic. During this health crisis, many French people began to proofread. Thanks to the digital format, it is no longer mandatory to go to a bookstore or library to travel from home. "Rome is a Woman" is a noir novel set in 1935.
A well-crafted investigation
The reader then connects to his narrator, the young and inexperienced Cesare Accardi. The apprentice's leader answers to the name of Gaetano. The seasoned cop knows well the vices and the mechanism of fascism which he cheerfully mocks. Apart from the curator, the writer portrays another character — who represents lightness and serenity, Liana. This "friend" greatly inspires the hero, a flea and truly fascinated by the feminine gender.It is also his first investigation that will launch him on the path of obsession. Vantona's body is found on the beach, mutilated in a very special way reminiscent of the rituals of serial killers — but also religious sects. The regulars of the policeman know that good books belonging to this category sow disturbing clues, which are intended to thicken the fog of reading while giving keys to the reader to predict the fall and the resolution of the case.
In Search of the truth
To solve this murder, Cesare will have to put aside his very marked sexual urges, his attraction and his devotion to this deceased who occupies his mind. Between impure thoughts and walks in a perfectly described city, the reader immerses himself in a very particular atmosphere where churches and sacred religious iconography mingle with the sex and violence of the regime. What kind of woman can Rome be, then? Beautiful, fiery, sensual, it has different aspects that make it irresistible. In this initiatory story on many levels, Cesare seeks to approach the truth by seeking the one that concerns him, him directly. This requires a questioning, a reflection on this family context and his father-soldier, dead. This mother who struggles to let him go, and this youth from which he is just beginning to escape… But this policeman from Ostia with modest origins is galvanized in the person of Commissioner Gaetano. The investigation takes a dramatic and terribly frustrating turn for everyone: characters and reader. The outcome will probably be worse, this is what can be theorized, when Cesare realizes that the only thing that matters more than the truth is the omnipotence of the "Duce".
A book with many historical references
Michel Chevallier embarks on the world of novels, tackling a subject that is close to his heart. Since he is informed on the matter, each element is authentic. Indeed, a rich book nourished by solid references starts off on the right foot. Between the use of the Italian language and reminders of emblematic places of the city of Rome, the reader will have no trouble immersing himself in the past. Under Mussolini's tyranny, opinions differed. While some will spontaneously fall under his yoke, others resist and do not hesitate to ridicule him. The abysmal differences between classes and the omnipresence of propaganda accentuate realism while pressing on the excitement of transgression. This story is a vibrant tribute to sensual beauty, seen by a male writer.
A thriller to discover
The work "Rome is a woman" is a well-paced detective book, which deals with a subject little exploited in contemporary literature. This historical thriller tinged with eroticism highlights the fragility of a young man who wants to "do well" in a corrupt time. Awareness of the violence of humanity, it is an artistic success that makes you want to learn more about its author and his inspirations. The author's website: http://michel-chevallier.com/
