The Calanques are a wilderness area now preserved by a National Park. Karin Huet, the author of this book, knows them like the back of her hand. To present them, she met actors who live there. Whether he is a fisherman or a yachtsman, a hiker or a fireman, a diver or a hunter, an innkeeper or a town planner... the author gives the floor to 39 people who present his work on this magical but so fragile place.
The originality of this book lies in the main character who is an eagle. It is he who comes with his naivety to discover the humans who share his territory. It is a kind of tale, where the animal questions man and also gives him his aerial point of view. This writing allows a lyrical access to sometimes complex and even political themes. It also obliges the reader to concentrate on the dialogues in order to highlight the importance of the subject. The interviews are well detailed, well documented and precise on each of the themes.
Icing on the cake, the book is accompanied by drawings by Amandine Maria. She had the idea of wanting to represent the Calanques seen from the sky. A bit like the eagle in the tale. So these drawings have no meaning, no top or bottom, no west or east... You can look at them in all directions! And one takes pleasure in turning the book to discover another part of the landscape. And it works very well! It's a real treat, especially when you've already had the chance to walk around and enjoy the pleasure of these rocks at the foot of the water.
If there was one criticism of this book, it's that it doesn't really describe the Calanques. The author tells how people live there and what they do there, but not (or little) about the landscapes. So the reader has to imagine, or help himself with beautiful drawings..
Calanques, the Eagle's interviews - Karin Huet and Amandine Maria
- Éditions Glénat
- 192 pages
- 16 x 21 cm
- 15.95 euros
