Key literary figures
Eugène Le Roy is really THE novelist of the Périgord. He was born in Hautefort on November 29, 1836. After working as a tax collector in various parts of the department, he lived in Montignac until his death in 1907. In 1899, he published Jacquou le Croquant, a novel that is anchored in the collective memory of all the Périgourdins. It even became a best-seller after its adaptation for the small screen by Stellio Lorenzi, in 1970. The theme of the child of the land, revolted by the precarious living conditions of his time and place, who rises up to fight injustice, brave death and misfortune, before finding love, has since found its way into the hearts of millions of readers. The other must-read work by the same author is The Enemy of Death. A four-part historical mini-series adapted from the novel of the same name was produced for television. The novel tells how a young doctor undertakes to fight alone against the prejudices and ignorance of his time in order to save his country from misery and death. After his medical studies, Daniel Charbonnière returns home to replace his late father. His country, the Double, is a region covered with forests, ponds and swamps, infested with fevers that decimate the population. He fights for the farmers and landowners to drain their ponds. He comes up against indifference, conformism, distrust of progress, and the power of money. The author, in a rather modern way, puts forward two female figures: Minna, the cousin, the proud daughter of the hero's main creditor, and the tender Sylvia, a poor peasant woman, his childhood friend
Another important figure in the literary world of the Périgord is Pierre Fanlac (1918-1991). Through his activities as an author, printer and publisher, he defended and developed a double passion: for beautiful books and for the Périgord. He was able to gather around him young poets, storytellers, illustrators, by creating his own small publishing company. He has published the best writers from Cadiou to Gide and has published magnificent works of art. But his activity bears the strong imprint of regionalism, publishing many works concerning the Périgord, Bordeaux and Aquitaine. Today, the third generation is at the helm of the company and the catalogue of Editions Fanlac has been enriched with works of literature for children and a collection of crime novels, some of which are set in the Périgord.
Literary fairs sometimes very greedy
In the Dordogne, every year there are about forty book fairs, more or less famous. Most of them have a departmental reputation, rarely more... But whether they are famous or more modest, they all contribute to a certain idea of culture within everyone's reach and to the vitality of literature in the Périgord. For small towns, these events represent opportunities to liven up local life without incurring too many costs. To name but a few, let's mention the Noir Vézère fair in Le Bugue, dedicated to crime fiction, the one in Escoire in the same vein and the Bassillac comic book fair near Périgueux. Local authors are delighted with the success of these events, which allow them to make themselves known, even without a reputable publisher. Some themes are particularly topical. The Salon L'écrit des Femmes, traditionally held on the third weekend in March, allows meetings between women authors and the public. The fifth edition took place in 2021, despite health constraints, partly on the air, partly in small groups. Organized by the association Femmes Solidaires de la Dordogne, this fair aims to highlight the struggle of women through various literary media. Debates, meetings, dedications guarantee conviviality on this fair open and recommended to all, to awaken from the youngest age the consciences, to the equality man/woman. On another note, let's now focus on THE literary fair made in Périgord, the famous Salon International du Livre Gourmand. It is held in Périgueux, usually in even-numbered years, but its calendar has been somewhat disrupted by the pandemic. At the end of November, it brings together all lovers of gourmet literature, and there are many of them in Périgord. For more than 30 years, it has made gourmets salivate. Over the years, it has become one of the most popular book fairs with gastronomy as its central theme. Whether they are top chefs, bloggers, journalists, researchers, historians or enthusiasts, nearly 100 authors usually come to present their latest works, meet their readers, sign their books, give lectures and take part in gourmet workshops... This half-literary, half-food fair highlights the famous art of living in Périgord and its flagship products.
Martin Walker, Scottish author in love with the Périgord
Martin Walker was born in Scotland in 1947, he is a British journalist, essayist and writer, author of several detective novels. He fell in love with the Périgord and its gastronomy and ended up living in his dream house in Le Bugue. Since 2008, he has started a series of detective stories, whose investigations feature the adventures of a Périgord policeman, named Bruno, inspired by a real-life friend of the author. The unorthodox methods and the immoderate taste of the investigator for the kitchen make him a very sympathetic character. His novels are little known in France, but have been well received abroad, as they have been translated into eighteen languages. The author and his wife are passionate cooks, so much so that he does not hesitate to slip into the novels a few recipes or at least a few preparation tips to whet the readers' appetite. At a time when the debate on animal abuse and foie gras production is raging, it is funny to note that it is a Briton who defends our traditions tooth and nail, for the pure love of the product. He is a writer who does not know how to write, he is inexhaustible and publishes a novel a year as well as numerous columns.
