Maylis de Kerangal's new novel is called Burning.

Maylis de Kerangal’s new novel Brandung has been released, offering readers a deeply personal exploration of memory, loss, and identity through the lens of her childhood city, Le Havre. The book follows the protagonist, a woman living a quiet life in Paris with her husband and daughter, whose world is upended when she receives a call from a police inspector in Le Havre. The message is clear: an unidentified body was found near the northern mole with her phone number written on a cinema ticket. This revelation triggers a journey back to the past, unraveling layers of history both personal and collective. The narrative begins with the protagonist's return to Le Havre, a place she has avoided for twenty years. As she walks along familiar paths and revisits old haunts, memories flood back, some vivid, others fragmented. The story interweaves her present investigation into the mysterious death with recollections of her youth, particularly a summer spent with a young man who vanished after their time together. The emotional weight of this lost love becomes central to understanding the broader themes of the novel, which include the lingering effects of war and the reconstruction of a city scarred by conflict. Le Havre holds deep significance for de Kerangal, not only as her birthplace but also as a symbol of transformation and resilience. During World War II, the city suffered extensive damage, becoming one of the most heavily bombed in France. In September 1944, Allied forces reduced much of the city to rubble, leaving over 5000 residents dead and 80,000 homeless. The aftermath saw the population endure years of hardship, rebuilding amidst the ruins. This historical context is crucial to the novel, as it reflects the collective trauma of the city’s inhabitants and how they have attempted to move forward. As the protagonist delves deeper into the mystery surrounding the deceased, she uncovers connections that challenge her perception of reality. The novel explores the idea that some memories may be more imagined than lived, blurring the lines between truth and emotion. Through her encounters with the past, she confronts unresolved feelings and questions whether certain experiences were ever truly real. These reflections are layered against the backdrop of Le Havre’s physical and cultural rebirth, highlighting the tension between progress and remembrance. De Kerangal’s work often examines the intersection of personal and historical narratives, and Brandung continues this tradition. The title itself, meaning “surf” or “tidal wave,” evokes the ebb and flow of memory, suggesting that the past can resurface unexpectedly, reshaping the present. Her portrayal of Le Havre is both intimate and expansive, capturing the essence of a city that has endured immense change while maintaining its unique character. The novel is set to be published by Suhrkamp in Berlin, priced at €26.95 and spanning 238 pages. It marks another addition to de Kerangal’s bibliography, further solidifying her reputation as a writer who skillfully weaves individual stories with larger historical contexts. With its release, readers can expect to engage with a text that challenges them to consider the nature of memory, the impact of history on personal identity, and the enduring legacy of places shaped by conflict and renewal.