Reading Group on Des diables et des saints by Jean-Baptiste Andréa

This reading group is dedicated to Des diables et des saints (Devils and Saints) by Jean-Baptiste Andréa, Winner of the Goncourt prize in 2023 for the novel Veiller sur Elle (Watching Over Her).

In Des diables et des saints, Joe, a 16-year-old orphan recalls his traumatic upbringing in a catholic boarding school in the Pyrenees during the Sixties. He manages to escape this dull and violent environment through his love for music and strong friendships with other pupils until he meets with Rose who will help him find a way to leave this toxic place.

The author manages brilliantly to dig humanity and humour out of dramatic events and captures beautifully the questions, hopes and fears which are part of every childhood.