The literary world is abuzz with the release of “Rêve cette nuit. Carnets, 2002-2024” (Dream This Night. Notebooks, 2002-2024) by acclaimed French author Anne Serre. Published by Éditions Verdier on February 2026, the notebooks offer a rare glimpse into the creative process behind Serre’s celebrated novels, revealing the origins of her ideas and the evolution of her distinctive voice. More than just a diary, these notes, spanning over two decades, are described as a “mine of gold” for those seeking to understand the author’s journey.
Serre, who arrived in Paris in 1977 to pursue her studies, began keeping these notebooks as a personal practice. However, the entries published now, beginning in 2002, mark a turning point in her career, as she embraced a more public profile and began publishing with larger houses like Le Mercure de France. This period also saw her begin to question the highly nature of her craft, a theme that resonates throughout the “Carnets.” The publication, priced at €21.00, offers 256 pages of intimate reflections.
These aren’t polished drafts or carefully constructed narratives; rather, they are fragments of dreams – Serre reportedly recorded up to four dreams per night – brief accounts of things read, seen, or heard, observations on film, and musings on art, literature, and the complexities of human connection. The notebooks are a testament to the author’s unique ability to translate fleeting impressions into compelling prose. As she herself notes, the most important element of a book is “the tone of the narrator,” and in “Rêve cette nuit,” Serre’s voice is strikingly present and honest.
The “Carnets” offer a fascinating insight into Serre’s literary influences. She returns repeatedly to the works of Samuel Beckett, particularly “L’Innommable” (The Unnamable), alongside those of Georges Simenon, Céline, and Thomas Bernhard. She also discovered the perform of Theodore Francis Powys, which she found particularly inspiring. These influences, alongside her own experiences and observations, coalesce in a unique literary landscape, described as an “island of words” built from nothing, echoing the resourcefulness of Robinson Crusoe.
A Reflection on Time and Loss
Beyond the literary references and dreamlike sequences, the notebooks delve into profound themes of time and memory. Serre reflects on a disorienting sense of being out of sync, describing a “sort of strabismus of the memory.” This feeling is linked to a twelve-year discrepancy between her chronological age and her perceived age, a gap that she connects to the loss of her mother. This personal loss casts a long shadow over the “Carnets,” adding a layer of emotional depth to her already introspective writing.
The notebooks are not intended as preparation for a novel, but rather as an “atelier” – a workshop – where ideas are explored and refined. What appears as a fleeting note or observation often resurfaces years later in her published fiction. This process highlights the organic and often unpredictable nature of creativity, demonstrating how seemingly disparate elements can converge to form a cohesive work of art.
The “Doublure” to Her Novels
As one critic noted, the “Carnets” function as the “doublure” – the lining – to Serre’s novels, providing the structure and support that gives them their form. They reveal the humor, irony, and subtle distance that characterize her writing, as well as her inherent skepticism towards grand pronouncements and ideological commitments. Anne Serre’s work consistently challenges conventional narratives, and these notebooks offer a key to understanding her unique approach.
A book signing and discussion with Anne Serre, animated by Feya Dervitsiotis, is scheduled for 19:30 at Le Monte-en-l’air in Paris on 2 rue de la Mare, 75020, providing an opportunity for readers to engage directly with the author and her work. More details about the event can be found on the Éditions Verdier website.
The publication of “Rêve cette nuit. Carnets, 2002-2024” promises to be a significant event for readers of contemporary French literature, offering a deeper understanding of one of its most innovative and compelling voices. As Serre continues to write and explore the boundaries of storytelling, these notebooks serve as a testament to the enduring power of the creative process.
What new insights will readers gain into Serre’s novels through this intimate exploration of her notebooks? Share your thoughts in the comments below.