Blue Clays, Michel Barbe

Near the blue clay springs, the small world of fishermen lives a healthy and rudimentary life. But History, the one that devours and opposes men, will take it upon itself to shatter this sweet routine. Faced with the uncertainties of the world, Adrien has a miracle cure: blue clays. It is to them that he will turn to demand from heaven the arrival of a male heir. He will be heard, and will imagine deciding the destiny of Bonaventure, this much-desired son... Alas, this happiness will not last. Very quickly one, then two wars will break out, and the whole identity of the small community will be on the verge of disappearing. But Jan Van der Meer, a slightly enlightened Dutch scientist who has set out to create a polder on the shores of the pond, will restore hope to the people of the swamps threatened by the madness of men. A novel like an ode to a rustic way of life that has now disappeared! Michel Barbe is the 2011 winner of the "Concours Romans de Terroir", initiated by TDO Éditions.