On the front of the classics

PIERRE BÉGUIN taught for nearly thirty years at Collège Calvin. Born in Geneva, he holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Master’s degree in psycholinguistics, and is an avid traveler to distant lands. Over the last 20 years he has written ten novels, including Terre de personne (L’Aire, 2005 Schiller Prize), Vous ne connaîtrez ni le jour ni l’heure (L’Aire, 2013 Chronos Prize shortlist), Condamné au bénéfice du doute (Bernard Campiche, 2016 Édouard Rod Prize), and La scandaleuse Madame B. (Albin Michel, 2020). His latest book, Du bohème au bobo (Bernard Campiche / Imago, 2026), pictures the adventures of a bohemian artist in Paris during the 19th and 20th centuries.

This year, the eclectic workshop will run through several centuries of writing and understanding of justice and major social issues: Charles Perrault’s Contes, seemingly intended for children, reveal a profound symbolic richness for adult readers. The 18th century is explored through The Calas Affair and Voltaire’s famous Treatise on Tolerance, major texts addressing issues of justice, freedom of conscience, and the fight against fanaticism. The 20th century is represented by two novels centered on the theme of colonialism: Rhum by Blaise Cendrars, a narrative recollection of the extraordinary fate of the most famous French governor of Guiana. Barrage contre le Pacifique by Marguerite Duras, will look into social criticism, memoir, and family tragedy in Indochina. Finally, the book club will explore contemporary literature with François Bon’s remarkable study, Bob Dylan, a biography of one of the legendary figures of modern culture, who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize. The year will begin with Michel Vinaver’s play, September 11, 2001, a reminder of an event whose 25th anniversary we will be commemorating.