Pierre Bordage

(same review for the two books)

I have long hesitated to read this series, 'Arkane', consisting of 'La Désolation' (my review) and 'La Résurrection'. Back in 2019, Pierre Bordage himself asked me - after I had purchased 'Les Fables de L'Humpur' and 'La Fraternité du Pance' (omnibus) - if I would be interested in his then latest offering. I politely declined, as those two books were not on my mind then.

And it took me several years more before I took the plunge, albeit it for the pocket versions. The books have won prizes, and yet the reviews were not exactly super enthusiastic. There were some, of course, but the majority of those I had checked out made me even more reluctant to read this series. But I have now read it and can confirm that some remarks were pertinent

In the beginning, I thought the series would revolve around Babel and language, based on how I first understood the construction of the city. It doesn't, unfortunately. I would have found it interesting how Mr Bordage would use language in one of his stories, although I think he's done it before. Though not in a Babel-like construction, if I'm not mistaken.

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What's it about, roughly? The river Odivir would overflow and flood the land Arkane. Fortunately, the goddesses of the river would spare the lives of seven peoples - each having their own animal symbol: Dragon, Eagle, Dolphin, Wolf, Corridan (invented term/species), Bear, Orbal (invented term/species, snake-like) -, who, after this miraculous rescue, vow to reconstruct their civilisation and maintain balance between each other. Disrupting the balance would result in their demise.

The rebuilt city is indeed like a Tower of Babel, but the top layer never interacts with the lower ones, despite the seven peoples having staff from the lower layers in their respective households. The labyrinths between each layer serve to keep each layer at bay, so the political clans can live their lives undisturbed. The layers are as follows: les Dits (comedians, artists, craftsmen), les Marches (traders), les Labeurs, les Bas et les Fonds (convicts). While the seven rescued clans are generally in charge, each layer has its own rules and beliefs (gods, colours, ...). Again, the top doesn't care about what happens below, as long as they are safe and undisturbed. Similar to the caste system in India (link 1, link 2).

Unless they disturb their own tranquil life, which they do. The Drac clan is taken out, the chief's son exiled to the lowest region, where he will lead quite a different life than before, but in a leading position. As the clans are politically and criminally untouchable, there's no one to punish them, to bring them to trial. They hold all power.

Matteo, the condemned son, has a sister, and she's determined to find him and bring him back to his rightful place. Next to that, Noy, from one of the conspiring clans, suspects something greater at work here, having caused the assassination and goes out to investigate as well. Far from Arkane, an apprentice in the art of masonry, mainly by mental force, was sent to become a mason (or "stone whisperer") because his parents thought he wouldn't get anywhere in life, so as a last resort... Renn, the boy, would also end up being the last of the Mohicans, eh, "stone whisperers". A stone whisperer can mentally communicate with any kind of stone and so physically manipulate/modify/shape it. This skill would be useful later on and even at the end of the story. Renn, despite being considered a no-good, would play a vital role for all involved.

Of course, he would get help from a mighty warrior, Orik, who had fought against a large upcoming army that had destroyed his country. The man hat come to warn the people of Arkane that they too would suffer an untimely death if no defences were erected to stop said army.

Next to these characters, there's more than a handful of side-characters who would help or deceive our "fellowship". Not in the least because Oziel, looking for her brother, and Renn would be wanted by the remaining six ruling clans. While people of the lower regions behaved friendly and helpful, corruption was also rampant there, and our fellowship would have to pray to the gods, so to speak, and use whatever means possible to stay out of the clutches of the guards/army/priests... as a high price was put on their heads. Yes, corruption is everywhere, especially when large sums of money are involved. Fortunately, other characters would see to it that Oziel or any of the other protagonists could continue their quests, even if it would cost those secondary characters their lives. Life is tough in Arkane.

Two congregations would "help" Oziel achieve her goal: La Désolation and La Résurrection. Each having their own take on how the city should be governed and how the murder should be solved. Oziel would find out soon enough, through a white lie, but one that would touch her for the rest of her life: physical disfigurement. Oziel would become less respected than the most vile people of Arkane. Worse, (especially) men would try to abuse her, kill her, use her as a toy.
Both titles also indicate what to expect: desolation (the assassination and the consequences) in the first part, resurrection (investigating and uncovering the truth) in the second part.

As always, all's well that ends well (despite the corruption, murders, deceit, ...), and the grand scheme for the execution of the Drac clan is revealed. As mentioned before, Renn and his stone-whispering skill would prove to be vital in the process. If stones could speak... they'd tell Renn what had happened so long ago to the founders of Arkane and how one thing led to another for the other people and creatures.

'Arkane', the series, is not flawless. There's a wee bit too much sex, as much as in 'Les Derniers Hommes'. Not that this is new, Mr Bordage has added this in previous stories, but not - if I recall correctly - in this quantity. Even if Mr Bordage himself has explained in an interview (like this one from 2008) that he's always incorporated it in his books.
Noy is the chosen one here, but if you read carefully, he's got a huge drive because it was used as a means of manipulation, to use him as a tool for the larger scheme set up behind the scenes. Noy wasn't the brightest of his family, but honestly thought and felt that he was respected as a potential leader. Even as a leader of wild creatures who had been living underground for several decades, but that too had a reason and was part of the original plan of the six clans who took out the Drac clan. And Noy was fooled in this, through subtle manipulation.

Second flaw, even if Bordage is not such a writer: not enough explanation of the setting, of the world, or even which role each clan played. I understand that the focus is always the characters and how they go through various experiences to find out who they are, what drives them, what skills they have and how they can overcome hurdles, despite their origins. He's good at that, no question about it - well, I did find it strange how our (incomplete) fellowship (without proper military training or tactics) managed to fight off the invading army that previously eradicated an entire people. But one must not neglect the world in which the story takes place, especially in Fantasy.

Third problem: Show, don't tell, or, more showing instead of telling. This also links up with "more explaining of the world/context", so that one doesn't have to wonder if something was overlooked.

Fourth little problem: battle scenes are not Bordage's thing, not when one is used to e.g. Bernard Cornwell's writing in that regard.

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'Arkane' is not a story of Babel from a linguistic point-of-view, it is one from a socio-political one. A classic tale, of course, in the world of fantasy, but one that shows there is hope for a better world or outcome, despite all the corruption, deceit, manipulation, greed, etc. Each character evolved, discovered skills and characteristics they didn't think they had, despite their flaws.
Bordage's style makes it a page-turner, most definitely.

All things considered, however, I can't really recommend this series as it is, unless you're familiar with Bordage's works and want something lighter, entertaining, notwithstanding its imperfections. If you're new to Bordage's works, better start with his older stuff, followed by his short stories, which - in general - are better (and more civilised ;-)) than 'Arkane'.

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Previously read, in chronological order: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection)
* Chroniques des ombres (my review)
* Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review)
* Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review)
* Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review)
* Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review)
* Contes des sages pas sages (my review)
* Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review)
* Les Dames blanches (my review)
* Nouvelle Vie™ (my review)
* Les Derniers Hommes (my review)

Still on my TBR-pile:
* La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence (trilogy)
* Les Portes d'Occident + Les Aigles d'Orient (Wang duology)
* Le Livre des prophéties (omnibus)
* La Fraternité du Panca (omnibus)
* Les Fables de l'Humpur
* Abzalon + Orchéron
* Qui vient du bruit + Le Dragon aux plumes de sang (Griots Celestes duology)
* L'Enjomineur (trilogy)… (more)

(same review for the two books)

I have long hesitated to read this series, 'Arkane', consisting of 'La Désolation' (my review) and 'La Résurrection'. Back in 2019, Pierre Bordage himself asked me - after I had purchased 'Les Fables de L'Humpur' and 'La Fraternité du Pance' (omnibus) - if I would be interested in his then latest offering. I politely declined, as those two books were not on my mind then.

And it took me several years more before I took the plunge, albeit it for the pocket versions. The books have won prizes, and yet the reviews were not exactly super enthusiastic. There were some, of course, but the majority of those I had checked out made me even more reluctant to read this series. But I have now read it and can confirm that some remarks were pertinent

In the beginning, I thought the series would revolve around Babel and language, based on how I first understood the construction of the city. It doesn't, unfortunately. I would have found it interesting how Mr Bordage would use language in one of his stories, although I think he's done it before. Though not in a Babel-like construction, if I'm not mistaken.

----------

What's it about, roughly? The river Odivir would overflow and flood the land Arkane. Fortunately, the goddesses of the river would spare the lives of seven peoples - each having their own animal symbol: Dragon, Eagle, Dolphin, Wolf, Corridan (invented term/species), Bear, Orbal (invented term/species, snake-like) -, who, after this miraculous rescue, vow to reconstruct their civilisation and maintain balance between each other. Disrupting the balance would result in their demise.

The rebuilt city is indeed like a Tower of Babel, but the top layer never interacts with the lower ones, despite the seven peoples having staff from the lower layers in their respective households. The labyrinths between each layer serve to keep each layer at bay, so the political clans can live their lives undisturbed. The layers are as follows: les Dits (comedians, artists, craftsmen), les Marches (traders), les Labeurs, les Bas et les Fonds (convicts). While the seven rescued clans are generally in charge, each layer has its own rules and beliefs (gods, colours, ...). Again, the top doesn't care about what happens below, as long as they are safe and undisturbed. Similar to the caste system in India (link 1, link 2).

Unless they disturb their own tranquil life, which they do. The Drac clan is taken out, the chief's son exiled to the lowest region, where he will lead quite a different life than before, but in a leading position. As the clans are politically and criminally untouchable, there's no one to punish them, to bring them to trial. They hold all power.

Matteo, the condemned son, has a sister, and she's determined to find him and bring him back to his rightful place. Next to that, Noy, from one of the conspiring clans, suspects something greater at work here, having caused the assassination and goes out to investigate as well. Far from Arkane, an apprentice in the art of masonry, mainly by mental force, was sent to become a mason (or "stone whisperer") because his parents thought he wouldn't get anywhere in life, so as a last resort... Renn, the boy, would also end up being the last of the Mohicans, eh, "stone whisperers". A stone whisperer can mentally communicate with any kind of stone and so physically manipulate/modify/shape it. This skill would be useful later on and even at the end of the story. Renn, despite being considered a no-good, would play a vital role for all involved.

Of course, he would get help from a mighty warrior, Orik, who had fought against a large upcoming army that had destroyed his country. The man hat come to warn the people of Arkane that they too would suffer an untimely death if no defences were erected to stop said army.

Next to these characters, there's more than a handful of side-characters who would help or deceive our "fellowship". Not in the least because Oziel, looking for her brother, and Renn would be wanted by the remaining six ruling clans. While people of the lower regions behaved friendly and helpful, corruption was also rampant there, and our fellowship would have to pray to the gods, so to speak, and use whatever means possible to stay out of the clutches of the guards/army/priests... as a high price was put on their heads. Yes, corruption is everywhere, especially when large sums of money are involved. Fortunately, other characters would see to it that Oziel or any of the other protagonists could continue their quests, even if it would cost those secondary characters their lives. Life is tough in Arkane.

Two congregations would "help" Oziel achieve her goal: La Désolation and La Résurrection. Each having their own take on how the city should be governed and how the murder should be solved. Oziel would find out soon enough, through a white lie, but one that would touch her for the rest of her life: physical disfigurement. Oziel would become less respected than the most vile people of Arkane. Worse, (especially) men would try to abuse her, kill her, use her as a toy.
Both titles also indicate what to expect: desolation (the assassination and the consequences) in the first part, resurrection (investigating and uncovering the truth) in the second part.

As always, all's well that ends well (despite the corruption, murders, deceit, ...), and the grand scheme for the execution of the Drac clan is revealed. As mentioned before, Renn and his stone-whispering skill would prove to be vital in the process. If stones could speak... they'd tell Renn what had happened so long ago to the founders of Arkane and how one thing led to another for the other people and creatures.

'Arkane', the series, is not flawless. There's a wee bit too much sex, as much as in 'Les Derniers Hommes'. Not that this is new, Mr Bordage has added this in previous stories, but not - if I recall correctly - in this quantity. Even if Mr Bordage himself has explained in an interview (like this one from 2008) that he's always incorporated it in his books.
Noy is the chosen one here, but if you read carefully, he's got a huge drive because it was used as a means of manipulation, to use him as a tool for the larger scheme set up behind the scenes. Noy wasn't the brightest of his family, but honestly thought and felt that he was respected as a potential leader. Even as a leader of wild creatures who had been living underground for several decades, but that too had a reason and was part of the original plan of the six clans who took out the Drac clan. And Noy was fooled in this, through subtle manipulation.

Second flaw, even if Bordage is not such a writer: not enough explanation of the setting, of the world, or even which role each clan played. I understand that the focus is always the characters and how they go through various experiences to find out who they are, what drives them, what skills they have and how they can overcome hurdles, despite their origins. He's good at that, no question about it - well, I did find it strange how our (incomplete) fellowship (without proper military training or tactics) managed to fight off the invading army that previously eradicated an entire people. But one must not neglect the world in which the story takes place, especially in Fantasy.

Third problem: Show, don't tell, or, more showing instead of telling. This also links up with "more explaining of the world/context", so that one doesn't have to wonder if something was overlooked.

Fourth little problem: battle scenes are not Bordage's thing, not when one is used to e.g. Bernard Cornwell's writing in that regard.

----------

'Arkane' is not a story of Babel from a linguistic point-of-view, it is one from a socio-political one. A classic tale, of course, in the world of fantasy, but one that shows there is hope for a better world or outcome, despite all the corruption, deceit, manipulation, greed, etc. Each character evolved, discovered skills and characteristics they didn't think they had, despite their flaws.
Bordage's style makes it a page-turner, most definitely.

All things considered, however, I can't really recommend this series as it is, unless you're familiar with Bordage's works and want something lighter, entertaining, notwithstanding its imperfections. If you're new to Bordage's works, better start with his older stuff, followed by his short stories, which - in general - are better (and more civilised ;-)) than 'Arkane'.

----------
----------

Previously read, in chronological order: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection)
* Chroniques des ombres (my review)
* Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review)
* Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review)
* Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review)
* Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review)
* Contes des sages pas sages (my review)
* Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review)
* Les Dames blanches (my review)
* Nouvelle Vie™ (my review)
* Les Derniers Hommes (my review)

Still on my TBR-pile:
* La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence (trilogy)
* Les Portes d'Occident + Les Aigles d'Orient (Wang duology)
* Le Livre des prophéties (omnibus)
* La Fraternité du Panca (omnibus)
* Les Fables de l'Humpur
* Abzalon + Orchéron
* Qui vient du bruit + Le Dragon aux plumes de sang (Griots Celestes duology)
* L'Enjomineur (trilogy)… (more)

French author Pierre Bordage, prolific master of the arts and mainly for SF-stories, is one of my favourite authors, even if I've still many of his novels to read. See below for those currently on my TBR-pile. Mr Bordage has a knack for humanistic stories, focusing on characters. His books are usually 400-500 pages thick, allowing him to develop a story, not be contrived to the limits that a short story imposes. However, over the years, he has improved in that department as well, even if not every story is a success, just like a novel isn't always perfect.

2023 has been a Bordage year, in a way, as I've read 4 of his books: two short-story collections and two novels, a boost activated after the man's visit at La Foire du Livre de Bruxelles in April.

'Les Derniers Hommes' (The Last Men or The Last Humans) was originally published in a six-parts series, later reissued in omnibus version, leading up to 600-700 pages. Bordage's novels are usually around a good 400 pages thick, though a few other omnibuses are over 1000 pages thick.

What is 'Les Derniers Hommes' about? Earth, mainly Europe though, has been ravaged by World War III. The story's set in the future, though it looks quite near. Soldier robots (solbots) have replaced or joined military and police forces. Animals (insects, fish, ...) have been genetically modified, even turned into a danger for mankind.

Resources are scarce and only a large group (Aquariotes) have the monopoly of water. They travel around Europe and mainly France to seek sources to fill their tanks to provide people with water for everyday use. Finding clean, potable water is a skill not everyone possesses, hence it being something taught from generation to generation.

Of course, being deprived of the comfort and luxury of before, can cause chaos, riots, fights, etc. Even the "water group" (Aquariotes) has its internal struggles, between members of the same "class", and between the group's leaders (because, yes, such a large group has leaders) and its members. Mainly the leaders aren't that fond of the weaker members, especially not someone who's cripple and can't really contribute to the well-being of the group. Or can he?

Solman, the ugly duckling you might call him, hasn't had a proper youth or upbringing by his parents, hence sees the world and people from a different perspective. More on his past will be clarified as the story progresses, particularly in the second half, everything is cleared out (or as good as). Various characters will also influence his development and leadership.

Solman has the power of (fore)sight, a bit like the Wit in Robin Hobb's series. He can feel/see if something will happen and warn the group to act otherwise to prevent demise or similar. That makes him a Giver (Donneur). Solman will eventually, also thanks to medicine woman Raïma, develop his "humanistic" side. She will also teach him a bit about the Apocalypse and the various angels involved in the process. Yes, you've guessed it, in this story too, religion plays a role, also in the form of a traveling group of religious people who stick to their strict form of life, distrust Solman and his fellow Aquariotes.

Ravaged Europe shows the contrast between the warm south and the cold north. As the south is no longer a safe haven, because of the solbots, other people attacking the Aquariotes, ... Solman advises the group to head north, even if that long journey will not be easy. Mechanical breakdowns, rearranging the groups and possessions in a decreasing fleet of trucks and caravans, ... causing frustrations among the group's members. Solman's skill will also divide the group between those grateful for his saving them and those following the leaders' vision. A heavy price will be paid for that. Luckily for him, he will find a true friend in Moram, one of the truck-drivers. Forever grateful for Solman's vision, for having saved the people from many perils, vowed to protect the "master", so that everyone comes out unharmed. You could see him as the Samwise Gamgee (most faithful friend of Frodo in 'The Lord of the Rings' by J.R.R. Tolkien) of the story, though he too has his desires (he's a bit of a womanizer, but later on especially fond of the youngest water searcher of the group) and plans, has a more basic outlook on life, hanging on to life.

The religious impact and events do unfold much later, but I had trouble "seeing" and understanding what was going on (perhaps the seduction/luring/abuse of organised religion or a guru - as Solman could be considered, in a way - and how to break free from this?). Pierre Bordage did add some (historical) information (political, religious) to create context, to add more stuffing to the story. However, like someone else wrote here, the story goes downhill in the second half (especially the last few hundred pages, if you ask me), with an ending that might make sense (not to me, unfortunately), but could have been much more positive. I would have opted for an ending/conclusion similar to that of the Cycle de la Tour de Garde, by Guillaume Chamanadjian and Claire Duvivier.

To copy-paste what I wrote earlier: This must be the first Bordage novel that causes me so much trouble, even if I like the story itself. It's a thick book (671 pages), but that's not the issue. It's a sloooooow story, agonisingly slow. And pretty dark/depressing. Yet, it shows the viciousness (and kindness) of human nature. However, it's not the man's best, to be honest, despite various positive reviews I checked before deciding to read the book. Again, a strong first half, but the cake doesn't remain upright in the second half, alas. With 100 à 200 pages less and some tweakings here and there, 'Les Derniers Hommes' could (should?) have been a much more interesting novel.

Some side-remarks:
* Not everything's worked out, or not enough for me, at least. Particularly in the second half, the religious events. Or is it because I didn't understand or interpret correctly what was meant?

* Women are either vicious (those in power of the Aquariotes) or beautiful (unless or even if they're touched by a disease), even many times beautiful, attractive, or any other word to describe the female body. Male bodies are usually the opposite, man is the animal in this case.

* People living in poor conditions, deprived of comfort and luxury, revert to a state of survival, where their most primitive needs have to be met: food, drink, ... and intercourse, be it forced or by common desire. This is not the only book by Bordage in which this occurs, but it happens a bit too often. Almost like in Kim Stanley Robinson's Shaman: A Novel of the Ice Age, which I didn't finish, as the story never kept my interest, despite having liked other of his books.

* The title contains 'hommes', which can be 'men' or 'humans'. Both translations are valid, especially as 'men' take the lead and dominate the story, with women playing secondary roles.

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Previously read, in chronological order: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection)
* Chroniques des ombres (my review)
* Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review)
* Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review)
* Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review)
* Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review)
* Contes des sages pas sages (my review)
* Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review)
* Les Dames blanches (my review)
* Nouvelle Vie™ (my review)

Still on my TBR-pile:
* [book:La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence|28488048]
* [book:Les Portes d'Occident|43898640] + [book:Les Aigles d'Orient|43898675] (Wang duology)
* [book:Le Livre des prophéties|30489150]
* [book:La Fraternité du Panca - Intégrale|39345257]
* [book:Les Fables de l'Humpur|2058514]
* [book:Abzalon|44167523] + [book:Orchéron|13637451]
* [book:Qui vient du bruit|13641749] + [book:Le Dragon aux plumes de sang|13636600] (Griots Celestes duology)… (more)

And so, I have read the third (but first) short story collection by the French master of SF, Pierre Bordage. As I liked his previous ones, I wrote in my review of the second collection that I would also read the first one, for reasons of completion, and because I was curious to read this first batch as well.

So far, three of these collections have been published:
* Nouvelle Vie™ (2004)
* Dernières Nouvelles de la Terre (2010)
* Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (2016)

Come to think of it, if Éditions L'Atalante had kept a schedule, they should have published a fourth collection in 2022, as the previous ones succeeded each other every six years. Alas, no fourth edition so far, maybe because there isn't enough (relevant) material (yet) to assemble into a new book.

'Nouvelle Vie™' focuses on the contrasts of rich vs poor, religion (the organised type that exerts power over those less powered) vs free-spirited (by lack of a better word), biotechnology, cloning, chip implants/home automation/... (track & trace), etc. Various stories of how the future of mankind could (have) look(ed) like. I too admit that these stories aren't the most cheerful ones, mankind remains responsible for its own survival and demise. Which way will be chosen?

Pierre Bordage is a very good storyteller, in general. Short stories allow for exploration of various themes, to possible expand upon in (a) future novel(s). To be honest, his other two collections were a little more varied, had more stories that appealed to me. Nevertheless, 'Nouvelle Vie™' is, despite its dark tales, an entertaining offering from one of France's best genre writers.

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Table of contents: (source: Noosfere)

01) Préambule : Cheval de Troie (first: [book:Histoires de lectures, lire en fete 15, 16, 17 octobre 1999|94735831], 1999)
A nice little trip down history, with a boy being fully immersed in the story about the Trojan War and its horse. And how such tales can really make you experience great adventures, let your imagination do its work.

02) Nouvelle Vie™
A couple with a daughter is one day visited by two representatives of the enterprise Nouvelle Vie™, who possess the majority of licences for genes. The man's parents were a few decades ago taken away, yet no one knows what happened to them. It seems his parents were close to being broke, but the enterprise promised to help them out if they signed an agreement. However, their situation was so precarious that they agreed to sign away their rights (to their genes) for three generations. Of course, the man (their son) was unaware of this. However, there's a dark secret about this contract, coming from an unexpected side. Their daughter had bought her freedom in return for her parents to be taken away, as she didn't experience the best kind of youth. Meanwhile, Nouvelle Vie™ would support her until she can stand on her own feet.
It's a story similar to Andreas Eschbach's Die Haarteppichknüpfer (The Carpet Makers), which also involved a transfer of "guilt" to the next generation, all for the glory of a higher lord no one has ever seen. A book I highly recommend.

03) Ma main à couper (first: La nuit de l'écriture, Rezé, 1999)
A rather scary story, yet with a positive outcome... for which the protagonist had to make a radical decision. He's enrolled in a game of chase. If he succeeds in escaping a group of hunters, he'll be paid a large sum of money. And let it be so that our man (and his wife) need money to live and survive. The whole game is promoted as such, for which people can register. Once that is done, there's no way back. However, our man manages to escape, but the chip in his hand continues to send out signals, which means he's never really safe. Until he meets another woman, who can help him with that, hence the title. Maybe a classic story and certainly a classic theme in Bordage's repertoire, but it remains a subject to not neglect, especially in this day and age.

04) La Classe de maître Moda (first: Cinq scénarios pour le futur, CREPAC d'Aquitaine, 2002)
Homeschooling is the subject of this story. Children don't have to sit together in a classroom, they can easily follow the lessons from home, via an internet connection; it's an educational programme set up by a private company in Europe. There is, however, one pupil who has a hard time following, slowing down the group. One girl wonders about that, finds it aggravating. The boy also lives on another continent, hence can't always be there in real-time. She complains about it to her teacher, who states that the boy has progressed enormously. It isn't until she sets up a webcam conversation with him that the sad truth is unfolded and the girl has not choice but to realise the error of her ways, as the boy works on one of Brazil's landfills, like many of his comrades. The country is broke, there's no money to fund education, people live in poor conditions... When this issue is addressed by the girl's parents, the company, AvanTech, defends its policy and the pirating of its courses. It's a way to split the compassionate pupils (like the girl) from the uncaring ones, who are then directed towards other courses. While a noble idea, to let those not having the financial means follow the course, these people/children are (un)willingly (?) also part of a course for the "fortunate" pupils.

05) Eurozone (2004) (first: [book:Eine Trillion Euro|1864694], 2004)
Taken from the anthology following Andreas Eschbach's highly recommended Eine Billion Dollar. Bordage's vision follows more or less the same pattern of his other works: the difference/contrast between those well-off and those unfortunate, and how money plays a key (and dirty) role in such a world, how there's never a honest distribution. The story takes place in Paris, in and around Montparnasse and Est, two of the city's districts and train stations. Come to think of it... did Mr Bordage use this setting as a basis or inspiration for his trilogy Métro Paris 2033 (which I haven't read)?

06) Paix bien ordonnée (first: 2000; [book:Inventons La Paix: Huit Écrivains Racontent|8500338], 2003)
A Tibetan shop owner is chosen, together with many others, to lead the world into a peaceful future, for which they would come together in Lhasa, where a special conference would take place. Surprised by the many votes, he wants to do a proper job, yet has absolutely no political experience, therefore has to learn the ropes/the tricks of the trade. A story that reminded me a bit of Katherine Addison's recommended The Goblin Emperor. A story in which the protagonist realises that, despite all his research and not succeeding in signing a treaty, peace (and forgiveness) begins with on a small scale, with oneself and one's closest people: family, friends, customers, ... Regardless of everyone else's vision on the matter (other people like him, politicians, historians, military leaders, journalists, and so on).

07) Kali la démente (first: Quatre polars inédits, Phosphore, 2000)
We remain in the area, India this time and Hinduism (the goddess Kali in particular), as he spent some time there in 1975. One of Kali's characteristics is to destroy evil and protect the innocent. However, there's a reason for the title. This is another story, like in many other of Bordage's stories, where technology (mainly tracking/surveillance by implanted chips) and religion play a key role. Only here, it's a police officer who's chipped and connected to the internet, so that his colleagues and superiors can follow as if they were physically present as well. There have been 29 murders around the world: Paris, Moscow, Shangai, New York and Mumbay; all within a short space of time. The respective police services and Europol are on the case(s), exchange data and even provide the same robot photo. In Mumbay, the murders happened in the district Lakshmi (yes, also an goddess), of course in an area with a lot of poor people, crime, etc. But "whodunit"? An overall good story that reminded me of Markus Heitz's Oneiros. In Bordage's story, there's also "one" killer, but in various versions, thanks to bio-duplication (or an advanced form of cloning), a project that was abandoned because of problematic test results.

08) Jour de noces (first: Galaxies N° 21, 2001)
An annual family gathering, through/in a digital world, to celebrate the wedding of an uncle and aunt, and everyone's dressed up in their chosen role, like cosplay. It's a story set in the 22nd century. There's music, there poetry, there's singing... until the reminiscing derails and the couple exchanges insults, starts picking on what bothers them about the other. And so, digital family ties are torn apart. But uncle will show his nephew how it all used to be, how the nephew's avatars have existed in real life, where they come from, and how people used to think about immortality and the difference with being immortalised in a digital way. A bit of a difficult story, I thought, not Bordage's best.

09) Dans le potager (first: Cap sur l'an 3000, site internet bibliothèque départementale du Haut-Rhin et du Bas-Rhin, 2000)
A woman wakes up from her artificial sleep of 50 years. Worldwide hunger had been eradicated/solved through genetic manipulation, people didn't have to fear getting sick, as diseases like cancer and AIDS had been eradicated as well. The woman reminisces about her past, about her first love (and how that turned out bad). It's a story about a possible future where sex too play a role, especially as boys' genitals have been largened. Children are taken away from their parents to be "rebuilt". The woman was one of the purists, fighting against biotech and genetic manipulation. Her then-husband, however, decided to succumb to the credo "If you can't beat them, join them", and so became a biotech adept. And yet... A weird story where people have become plants, flowers, vegetables, and are fertilised by genetically modified bees? Not such an accessible story, in my opinion.

10) Les Frères du G5 (first: 2002, [book:Icares 2004|78573325], 2003)
Nantes, French city, in a future version, submerged by a massive flood. A dam was built to prevent more flooding. Infrastructure had to be rebuilt, public transport is set in the air. Mars has been colonised and the old ways - cars, sports like basket ball, ... - continue their lives over there. As Mr Bordage has lived in Nantes, has played basket ball when he was young, ... it's only normal that such elements end up in one of his stories. Religion and societal contrasts also play a role here: those privileged thanks to a prolonged life, even at their old age, while younger people who wish to further their lives or enjoy life, have to work hard in miserable circumstances. Until the clones (G5, Generation 5) return from Mars to take up their place, replacing the Earthlings who were enjoying their privileged lives. An ok story, all in all.

11) Juliet (first: [book:Eros Millenium|21906983], 2001)
An erotic story, something that has been on Bordage's planning for a long time. And in 2023, he published the first volume of trilogy: 'La porte des remparts sublimes'. But this short story was one way to test out the possibilities. I prefer Bordage's other stories, though.

12) Godéron (first: [book:10 ANS - L'ATALANTE|95616878], 1999; [book:Utopies SF|114558004], 2000)
Digging up Earth's riches, lunar crystals, though one people, Manac'h, doesn't dig up anything, since their religion forbids it. Luring and trapping gold diggers is part of maintaining their way of life, their society. One does not simply go to a strange country to take away its resources for free. At some point, something's got to give. What comes around, goes around. Not a bad story, just a little predictable, a little too simple.

13) Tyho d'Ecce (first: 1950-2000, la SF Française, 2001)
A story about spatial colonisation, where mankind has sent one of its deadliest armies. The planet Ecce (Latin for "behold", "see", ...) has its own atmosphere, even its own population of special creatures. The mission was to eradicate the first occupants, to prepare everything for the arrival of human beings. A young soldier, aged 14 years, writes regularly to his home front, inquiring about his family and his girlfriend. Until he feels remorse and wants to know who their "enemies" really are. It will, unfortunately, mean his end; not the meeting, but the mines intended to wipe out the original population.

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Previously read: (not counting his stories published in various anthologies since his last collection)
* Chroniques des ombres (my review)
* Hier je vous donnerai de mes nouvelles (my review)
* Le Jour où la guerre s'arrêta (my review)
* Entretiens avec Pierre Bordage (my review)
* Contes des sages d'autres mondes et d'autres temps (my review)
* Contes des sages pas sages (my review)
* Dernières nouvelles de la Terre... (my review)
* Les Dames blanches (my review)

Still on my TBR-pile:
* La Trilogie des Guerriers du silence
* Les Portes d'Occident + Les Aigles d'Orient (Wang duology)
* Le Livre des prophéties
* La Fraternité du Panca - Intégrale
* Les Fables de l'Humpur
* Les Derniers Hommes
* Abzalon + Orchéron
* Qui vient du bruit + Le Dragon aux plumes de sang (Griots Celestes duology)… (more)