A literary phenomenon in France and Canada, where it has sold 100,000 copies. Winner of the French Bookstores Award and the Femina des Lycéens prize.
In 1980s Cairo, Tarek, a young doctor, follows the path laid out for him. Between his clinic and the prestigious practice inherited from his father, he has little time to ask questions. But an encounter with someone with whom he seemingly has nothing in common will shatter all the certainties of his life.
From the Levantine community in Egypt to the winters of Montreal, from Nasser’s presidency to the dawn of the 21st century, Tarek flees, wanders, remembers. But does he know that, thousands of kilometers away, someone is piecing together the fragments of his story and trying to follow, chapter by chapter, the course of his eventful life?
What I Know About You, winner of the Femina des Lycéens prize and the French Bookstores Award and a candidate for the Renaudot prize, delicately, sensitively, and emotionally paints the portrait of a broken family and a society in full transformation. A story of absence and the secrets hidden behind it, Éric Chacour’s first novel reveals an author with impeccable style, luminous writing, and a deep understanding of human nature. A book that smells of garlic and anise, of the fragrances of a past that can no longer be recovered.
“With sensitive and sensual writing, Éric Chacour draws in his first novel a world in transformation, the fracture of a clan whose women bravely embody dignity that never yields” Philippe-Jean Catinchi, Le Monde
“The writing is simply magnificent, almost from another era. We reread sentences touched by grace, resonating like aphorisms” Mohammed Aïssaoui, Le Figaro
“A sensual, delicate, and political first novel” Virginie Bloch-Lainé, Libération
“From Madame de La Fayette to Louis Aragon, few in literature have been able to capture the burning feeling of hope and the urgency of impossible love. Éric Chacour is one of them” Solange Bied-Charreton, Marianne
“The author delivers a first novel of unusual perfection, brimming with sensuality and delicacy. A true love at first sight” Candice Nedelec, Gala
“Admirable. Rarely have we seen a first novel as captivating as Éric Chacour’s” Marianne Payot, L’Express
“This sensitive first novel stands out as a must-read for the autumn season” Isabelle Lesniak, Les Echos
“A sublime story about absence and reconciliation” Sandrine Bajos, Le Parisien
“Chacour hits the mark thanks to precise details, the sense of ellipsis, and the story’s construction” Baptiste Liger, Lire
“There are some first novels that leave a mark; this is one of them” Dominique Lemieux, Les Libraires
“Let’s be clear: Éric Chacour’s first work is one of the best novels of recent years” Samuel Larochelle, Fugues
“There are some first novels that leave a mark; this is one of them” Dominique Lemieux, Les libraires
“It’s my favorite book of the year! […] The last two pages will make your legs tremble” Mariana Mazza, Bonsoir bonsoir! - ICI télé
“The revelation of the moment is called Éric Chacour” Émilie Perreault, Il restera toujours la culture
