Meeting with Amélie Nothomb

February is, as usual, the month of Amélie Nothomb who returns to bookshops with her 23^rd novel entitled Pétronille, published by Voland: it is an entirely feminine story of friendship and champagne. To present it, Wednesday 25 February at 2.30 pm at the Circolo dei Lettori, the author will be in a dialogue of three voices with the journalist Farian Sabahi and the actress Lella Costa. The event is organised by CEST in collaboration with the Circolo dei Lettori and the publishing house Voland.

Amélie has one desire: to find a drinking partner. No small thing given that there doesn’t seem to be anyone in all of France who knows how to appreciate a good champagne. No one, except Pétronille, a mysterious novice author who turns out to be more than a pen pal.

Pétronille is the story of a friendship and a passion. The friendship is that of two authors, one already acclaimed and idolised by the public, the other brilliant but a novice at the beginning of the story: Amélie Nothomb and Pétronille Fanto. The tale deals with the most bizarre periods of this uncommon bond that takes form and substance amidst books, bookshops, literature and unforgettable drinking sessions. Indeed, as well as writing, the two women are united by their common passion for champagne. It is a book about France, the pleasure of inebriation, and female friendship, that can be experienced above all by being in the midst of people.