Osvalde Lewat's 'Un corps indocile' Dissects Male Vulnerability in New Novel
Osvalde Lewat's second novel, Un corps indocile, is set to be published for the 2026 literary season by Philippe Rey in France and Jimsaan in Senegal. The Franco-Cameroonian filmmaker previously released her debut novel, Les Aquatiques (2022), which garnered several awards. The story follows Deffo, a prosperous African fashion designer based in Paris, whose life spirals after experiencing groin pain that drives him to commit a crime. It delves into Deffo's search for identity, challenging conventional masculinity and addressing the impact of Chinese influence in Africa. Lewat spent three years writing the book and expresses a lingering feeling of incompleteness, as Deffo continues to resonate with her. This interview was featured on the Invité culture podcast on August 19, 2026.
Key facts
- Un corps indocile is Osvalde Lewat's second novel, published jointly by Philippe Rey and Jimsaan.
- The protagonist, Deffo, is a successful African fashion designer in Paris whose life unravels after a groin ailment.
- Lewat describes the novel as a 'désapprentissage' (unlearning), the opposite of a bildungsroman.
- Deffo commits a crime and seeks to restore his physical and existential integrity, questioning his masculinity.
- The book blends psychological novel, novel of manners, crime fiction, and political novel.
- It incorporates themes of China's presence in Africa and corrupt elites in the fictional Zambouena.
- Lewat spent three years writing the novel and felt a sense of loss upon finishing.
- Her previous novel, Les Aquatiques (2022), won multiple awards.
- Editors noted a Camusian quality, but Lewat distinguishes her work from Camus's absurdism.
- The character Deffo continues to haunt Lewat, who says she lives with him.
Entities
Artists
- Osvalde Lewat
- Olivier Rogez
- Albert Camus
- Fiodor Dostoïevski
Institutions
- RFI
- Philippe Rey
- Jimsaan
Locations
- Paris
- France
- Senegal
- Cameroon
- China
- Africa