Un si beau parterre de pétunias by Annie Saumont (review)

Reviews 271 Saumont, Annie. Un si beau parterre de pétunias. Paris: Julliard, 2013. ISBN 978-2260 -02108-7. Pp. 207. 17 a. In this intriguing collection of nineteen short stories, Saumont poignantly depicts humanity from the anti-hero’s perspective. Demonstrating her mastery of the art of creating captivating suspense in a few short pages, she does not hesitate to let narrative gaps accumulate. The stories are therefore more powerful for they are subtly packed with meaning and encourage the reader to reflect insightfully on each story’s message. Saumont’s unique writing style is characterized by an approach that is both minimalistic and focused on minute detail. In “Un si beau parterre de pétunias,” the protagonist Théodora has decided to rent out two rooms of her home for the summer. Théodora rationalizes that she will feel less lonely (which has been an issue for her since the death of her dachshund) and even better, she will have admirers for her beautiful petunias. During the process of interviewing prospective tenants, Théodora exhibits an unusual technique of dissuading those she does not like. Notable is her reaction to the large family with disobedient children:“Et comme les parents inconscients laissent entendre que l’air est excellent, que le calme dissiperait les angoisses du grand-père, elle rétorque qu’il y a des moustiques, que l’eau de la pompe est saumâtre”(11). Saumont’s narrative style also distinguishes itself by her shaking up of grammar rules, twisting of syntax, use of anglicisms and street slang, as well as her daring method of not always finishing a sentence. Despite the fact that the stories often have a dark ending, they are so enjoyable that they read quickly and leave a lasting impression. Particularly poignant is the story of the sad café waiter in “Le dernier client” who, having lost his beloved Josie to a rich client, wanted revenge by poisoning his customers. However, he fails to remember to do so despite elaborate planning because he is so busy serving customers while trying to make sure he sees Josie in her expensive Jaguar before following through with the heinous act. The story ends with the waiter preparing a poisoned drink for a lonely last client. Soon, the reader realizes that he has chosen to commit suicide: “Il suit mes gestes. D’un mouvement vif du coude, dans l’énorme miroir, j’indique qu’il doit porter le breuvage à ses lèvres. Je bois en même temps que lui. Il m’observe” (21). The waiter’s desperate actions are further emphasized when Françoise, the cashier, finds his body: “le garçon de café [est] assis devant la glace, rigide sur sa chaise. À ses pieds un verre brisé. Dans la glace se reflétait un visage aux yeux ouverts, encore emplis d’étonnement” (22). Saumont’s highly original style engages the reader from the first to the very last word of each story, encouraging one to read more. Canisius College (NY) Eileen M. Angelini ...