Paul Vertune had faith in human nature, which might seem naive in the eyes of those who are full of illusions. He understood from an early age that we all carry good and evil within us, like two suitcases which we fill as we please. My grandfather understood that humanity is built upon a strange contradiction that manipulates us from the shadows. He preferred to nurture the light rather than seek refuge in the darkness.
The priest leaned over my grandfather’s grave and made the sign of the cross. People filed past to throw flowers in. Among them I imagined I saw María, Martín, Mathilde, Manuel, Jean, Marc, Jacques, Catherine, and the captain of the ship; they were all there. Delight in his memory filled their tear-streaked faces. Paul Vertune had succeeded not only in life, but also in death.
The ceremony drew to an end and everyone else went home. I remained there, sitting by the grave of the man who had enchanted me with so many stories. I was absorbed in my thoughts, like he used to be. When you’re caught inside your head like that, time slips by without waiting for you.
Dusk soon fell on the cemetery, then night. Everything was quiet and still. I began to walk home along the dim path. Looking up, I saw Themoon up in the sky, full yet mournful, having lost its most loyal companion.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo © 2015 Elodie Tastet
Julien Aranda was born in Bordeaux in 1982. He grew up in southwest France, daydreamed while contemplating the Atlantic Ocean, and read a lot. Nourished by his trips to Latin America, Asia, and the Canary Islands, Le sourire du clair de lune (Seasons of the Moon) is his first novel. He has recently completed his second novel, La simplicité des nuages. Follow him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/julien.aranda.
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR
Roland Glasser translates literary and genre fiction, as well as art, travel, and assorted nonfiction, from French. His translation of Fiston Mwanza Mujila’s Tram 83 won the Etisalat Prize for Literature 2016 and was long-listed for the Man Booker International Prize and the Best Translated Book Award. He has translated a wide variety of authors, including Anne Cuneo, Martin Page, Marc Pouyet, Ludovic Flamant, Robert Morcet, and Clémentine Beauvais. Roland has contributed articles and essays to the White Review, Asymptote, Literary Hub, Chimurenga, In Other Words, Fitzrovia, and Bloomsbury. He has also worked extensively in the performing arts, chiefly as a lighting designer. Having lived in Paris for many years, he is currently based in London.
Table of Contents
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
CONTENTS
START READING
NEW MOON
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
CRESCENT MOON
12
13
14
15
17
18
19
20
QUARTER MOON
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
FULL MOON
28
29
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
EPILOGUE
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
ABOUT THE TRANSLATOR