La maison aux lilas

Une grossesse mystérieuse, des balades journalières au cimetière, desamours passagères, un oeil de verre, une amante qu’il faut deviner, un bourreauau doigté particulier et une maison aux lilas bien intrigante : ce ne sont quedes aperçus de ce recueil. Dans ces 27 nouvelles inédites, brèves, douces ouintenses, Maurice Henrie passe de l’insolite au familier, brouille lesfrontières de la fiction et de son vécu et, avec son naturel habituel pourl’humour et la narration, nous amène à rire autant qu’à réfléchir.Est-on plus libre lorsqu’on défie les interdits pour ensuite se trouverlié par les chaînes de la culpabilité ? Quel sens porte une vie menée avectiédeur ? Faut-il compatir ou rire en suivant Hormidas, cet homme intelligentet dévoué, mais laid et sans charisme ? Peut-on se laisser porter par la paixqui émane des lieux de culte religieux ? Est-il possible de compléter unecourtepointe d’ADN, en assemblant des morceaux de vies du passé ? MauriceHenrie pose ces questions, et tant d’autres encore, en nous invitant à yrépondre.Ce livre est publié en français.-This collection of twenty-seven intense shortstories, born from the author’s imagination, is also inspired by his lifeexperiences. Through his keen sense of observation and his lively sense ofhumour, Henrie manages to give each text a unique resonance and authenticitythat transcend the ordinary. These qualities permeate the work through a rangeof themes, from church pews, college life, and romantic encounters to foreigntravel and genetic makeup.In his characteristically light tone, Henrie sharestales of offbeat scenes—such as the time when the discovery of a glass eye on asidewalk disrupted the life of an elderly aunt. Yet he also draws us into moreintrospective stories. There is the absurd journey of a group of friends, forexample, who embark on a long race only to realize, suddenly, that they forgotto set a goal, estimate the time needed, or even clearly define theirdestination. Other stories speak of solitude, boredom, and confinement.This collection of short stories, which challengethe reader and seek his participation, is part of the long cycle of storiesupon which the author embarked more than twenty years ago.This book is published inFrench.Thiscollection of twenty-seven intense short stories, born from the author’simagination, is also inspired by his life experiences. Through his keen senseof observation and his lively sense of humour, Henrie manages to give each texta unique resonance and authenticity that transcend the ordinary. Thesequalities permeate the work through a range of themes, from church pews,college life, and romantic encounters to foreign travel and genetic makeup.Inhis characteristically light tone, Henrie shares tales of offbeat scenes—suchas the time when the discovery of a glass eye on a sidewalk disrupted the lifeof an el