An un-named protagonist wakes to find a woman mutilated and hanging from a tree. Before he can figure out why she looks vaguely familiar, the police arrive and arrest him for murder. As he’s being transported to prison, the police van over-turns killing all it’s occupants, except this suspect. He begins a journey through the wilderness and back to his home city of Paris, France only to learn that somehow, between his arrest and his return, 12 years have past, he may be dead, he is being hunted by special police operatives, and all of France is being governed by a conservative regime that doesn’t allow non-whites to be seen in the light of day. And, by the way, where are the children?

Translated by Adriana Hunter, author Olivier Pauvert gives us a futuristic thriller in Noir, his debut novel.

The title, Noir, refers to the non-white, mostly African descendants, who help the protagonist stay one step ahead of his pursuers while he tries to figure out what has happened to his life. Noir also refers to the fact that these outcasts are allowed out only after dark to clean-up after the favored citizenship. And, Noir, also refers to the feel of the writing of this book. At least in the beginning…

Somewhere along the storytelling, the writing becomes a bit “poetic”. Descriptions of the surroundings, be it a location or a motorbike, become extremely detailed and long, causing the reader to loose track of the last piece of action or learned information. That being said, the “poetry” of the final paragraph is wonderful and would not have worked without the same style being used throughout the book.

Pauvert takes the reader on a number of twists and turns, sometimes leading one to wonder what is a dream and what is reality, although, not for long. The author seems to have a knack for knowing just the right moment at which the reader will say to themselves, “wait a minute…” and gives the reveal just before confusion sets in.

• Title: Noir

• Author: Olivier Pauvert

• Translator: Adriana Hunter

• Publisher: Counterpoint

• ISBN: 978-1-58243-447-6

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