Award nominated novelist Sylvie Le Bihan will appear at the Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo on January 20th to discuss her latest work, ‘L’ami Louis’.

The book takes readers through 20th century French literary history, honouring the working class roots of writers like Albert Camus and Louis Guilloux. Le Bihan pays tribute to the “petites gens”, the ordinary people, from whom these writers came.

Set in 1976, the novel follows Élisabeth Daguin, who returns to Paris to work as an assistant to Bernard Pivot on his television programme Apostrophes. Estranged from her family, her life changes when she meets the ageing writer Louis Guilloux, a friend of Camus who has faded from public memory.

What begins as a professional interview develops into a personal connection. Through their conversations, Louis reconnects with a lost love while Élisabeth uncovers secrets about her own family history.

In Le Bihan’s telling, major literary figures including Camus, Guilloux, Grenier and Malraux come vividly to life. Above all, the book explores friendship, solidarity and the values that guided these writers’ commitment to freedom.

Additionally, her previous novels have earned critical acclaim, with ‘Les Sacrifiés’ shortlisted for the prestigious Prix Renaudot.

Places are limited and advance booking is required. Anyone interested can contact (+377) 93 15 15 41 or m.fays@metropole.com to reserve.

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Main photo credit: Eric Garault