ÈVE GUERRA & CLODAGH KINSELLA: REPATRIRIATION

Hear from French author ÈVE GUERRA & her English-language translator CLODAGH KINSELLA as they open discuss REPATRIRIATION—Ève’s masterful debut of family connections and the postcolonial condition, recently published by FOUNDRY EDITIONS.

Annabella Morelli is twenty-three years old, dreams of becoming a poet and lives in Lyon, far from Congo-Brazzaville where she was born, the daughter of a Franco-Italian worker, and a Congolese girl who became a mother too young. Annabella remembers a happy childhood until one Christmas, when she was seven, her father's anger exploded, and her mother left the family home. When she learns of his death in Cameroon, her world collapses for the second time and in her desperate attempt to repatriate her father’s body to France, Annabella is forced to confront the family secrets, lies and deep trauma at the heart of her existence.

This stunning debut explores grief, family relationships, personal truths and the post-colonial condition with beautiful, urgent writing. It was the winner of the 2024 Prix Goncourt du Premier Roman.

The event will be chaired by Foundry Editions publisher & editor, RICHARD VILLAGE.

ÈVE GUERRA is a novelist, poet, journalist and teacher. She grew up in Congo Brazzaville, which she fled during the civil war. She is now a teacher of Latin, ancient Greek and French, a columnist for Lire and the author of a collection of poetry. ‘Repatriation’ is Ève’s first novel.

CLODAGH KINSELLA is a French-to-English literary translator who has carried the writings of Georges Didi-Huberman, Jean-Luc Nancy and Nicole Brenez into English. Her translation of ‘La Nuit’ (The Night, Book Works, 2013/2021), Situationist Michèle Bernstein’s second novel, was praised by authors including Anakana Schofield, Stewart Home and Greil Marcus; she also co-wrote an adaptation of the novel.

This event forms part of our BORDERLESS SEASON where we foreground world literature in translation, & welcome authors from across the world to discuss their work.

TICKETS: £4 standard entry / £13.99 book & entry

Please book your ticket here on our Eventbrite page.

*Please note we will be unable to offer refunds on tickets when requested within 7 days of an event date.

VOCE BOOKS is located at 54-57 Allison Street, Digbeth with step-free access via BRIG Café. For further enquiries about the event, or to discuss any other access requirements please email [email protected]