Amélie Nothomb, Theorist of Magic?

Who doesn't know Amélie Nothomb, a true literary phenomenon, read by millions of readers worldwide?

One only needs to attend one of her book signings or meetings to realize the extent of the phenomenon, at a time when it is common to say that "no one reads anymore," to witness the crowds she draws to each event, and the privileged connection she has maintained with her readers for over thirty years.

To discuss this phenomenon, I wanted to share with you an exercise I often do: if Amélie Nothomb were a magician (and she is, no doubt about it!), and more specifically a theoretician of Magic, what would her teachings be?

To simplify my point, I started from the observation of one of her novels: Strike Your Father Dead.

Strike Your Father Dead is Amélie Nothomb's twentieth novel, a text that, behind its Oedipal title, reveals a story dedicated to the art of magic. This novel has something eminently magical about it, like many of her novels, but we will see that later.

First of all, what is the story about?

October 2010, the novel begins in a Parisian magic club.

In the back room, the narrator's (Amélie Nothomb's?) gaze focuses on two men: the first, in his thirties, is playing poker and keeps winning, the second, in his fifties, is leaning against the bar and never takes his eyes off him.

Intrigued, she asks the patrons who these two people are. The younger man is named Joe Whip, the elder Norman Terence.

A flashback is necessary.

Back in 1994, Reno, Nevada, USA. Joe Whip is then 14 years old. Passionate about magic, he teaches himself tricks in front of his mirror (including, to my great surprise, Guy Hollingworth's Ace trick!).

He doesn't know his father and is looking for one.

His mother cares little for him and eventually throws him out. Joe then goes to live alone in a hotel and decides to devote his days and nights to magic.

It is there that a stranger notices his talent. He sends him to train with the greatest of magicians: a certain Norman Terence.

The latter agrees to take care of the young boy and even welcomes him into his home with his partner. Joe perfects his art and finally experiences real family life.

Norman increasingly considers this young boy as his own son. Yet something will break between the two men and forever change this family picture. What will become of young Joe and his master Norman?

Without revealing anything, the novel continues with Joe's journey, and a conflict that will develop between the two men, to the most extreme obstinacy. But aren't they risking ruining their lives, and even those of their loved ones, by clinging to an idea?


At face value, Amélie Nothomb here examines father-son relationships and revisits the Oedipal myth: the child who desires his mother must take the father's place: that is, kill him.

According to Freud, it is necessary to "kill the father" to become an adult, in other words, to shed expectations in order to achieve freedom.


But let's return to our main concern: how to adapt Amélie Nothomb's writing to our Art?