Jacques Henric on Yann Moix's 'Orléans' and the Limits of Literature

In a September 2019 opinion piece for artpress, Jacques Henric reflects on the controversy surrounding Yann Moix's novel 'Orléans' (Grasset, 272 p., 19 euros). Henric, a former colleague of Moix at the review La Règle du Jeu, discusses the scandal that erupted after the book's publication, which involved accusations of antisemitism and family disputes. He criticizes the press for treating the novel as a factual account rather than literature, invoking theorists like Barthes, Foucault, Derrida, and Lacan. Henric compares the situation to historical cases, such as Aragon's 'Front rouge' and Jean Paulhan's defense of free speech with accountability. He notes that Moix's family reacted angrily, and that Moix's past antisemitic remarks came to light. Henric expresses disappointment in Moix's behavior and advises him to focus on writing a great book, referencing Foucault's 'courage of the truth'. The piece also mentions Édouard Louis and Christine Angot as other writers whose families have contested their portrayals.