Sunday, May 5, 2024
Karine Tuil weaves an immersive plot inspired by the turbulent “Stanford case” that shook the United States in 2016. At the heart of human things is the Farel family, whose façade of success and power hides a web of tensions and conflicts. Jean, the charismatic television presenter, and Claire, the intellectual committed to feminism, embody two seemingly opposite faces of contemporary society. However, their fractured union is put to a devastating test when their son Alexandre becomes embroiled in a rape accusation by Mila, the daughter of Claire’s new partner.
What follows is a dizzying confrontation between Mila’s word and Alexandre’s, unfolding in a scenario marked by the voracity of the media and the relentless judicial machinery. Tuil not only explores the complexities of consent and destruction, but also shines a stark light on the corrosive impact of public opinion and social media on the search for truth and justice.
Through meticulous and insightful prose, Tuil takes us into the intricate labyrinths of being human, questioning our pre-established conceptions and forcing us to confront our own ethical ambiguities. In a context where the truth acquires a transactional value and justice is overshadowed by a desire for revenge, human things stands as a forceful reminder of the fragility and complexity inherent to the human condition.
The author, recognized for works such as The invention of our lives and L’Insouciancestands out for its ability to explore human ambiguities and address relevant social issues. human thingsworthy of the prestigious Interallié and Goncourt des Lyceéns awards, was made into a film in 2021 by Yvan Attal and with Charlotte Gainsbourg in the lead role.
