Ananda Devi's 'Chronique d'un royaume perdu' Reimagines Mauritius Through Four Generations
Ananda Devi, a writer from Mauritius, has released her latest novel titled 'Chronique d'un royaume perdu' (Chronicle of a Lost Kingdom) through the French publishing house Grasset. This family saga unfolds over four generations, tracing its roots from the 19th century to contemporary times in Le Bouchon, Mauritius. It centers on five founders—three members of the white Dumontais family and two descendants of a black slave—who create a self-sustaining kingdom after facing exile due to their mixed ancestry. The story delves into themes of violence, love, and human nature, infused with elements of magical realism. Devi, who hails from Mauritius, was honored with the Neustadt International Prize for Literature in 2024. Grasset lauds the novel as her crowning achievement, describing it as a 'fabulous epic' and 'majestic fable.'
Key facts
- Ananda Devi's new novel 'Chronique d'un royaume perdu' is published by Grasset.
- The novel is set in Le Bouchon, a real village on Mauritius, and spans four generations from the 19th century to today.
- The story follows five founders: three from the white Dumontais family and two from a black slave, all children of Madame Dumontais and an enslaved man named Vieux Bouc.
- The founders are banished and create a self-sufficient, magical kingdom.
- The novel blends violence, love, hatred, and magical realism.
- Devi has won multiple awards, including the Prix des Cinq Continents, Prix RFO, Prix Louis Guilloux, Prix Femina des lycéens, and Prix de la Langue Française.
- In 2024, Devi received the Neustadt International Prize for Literature.
- The RFI article includes a musical illustration by Fanfan titled 'A nou krié.'
Entities
Artists
- Ananda Devi
Institutions
- Grasset
- RFI
Locations
- Mauritius
- Le Bouchon
- United States
- France