Epic Annette: A Heroine’s Tale details the miraculous and harrowing story of Annette Beaumanoir, a medical student whose involvement with the French Resistance and the Algerian FLN cemented her name in history. Weber seizes on Beaumanoir’s gripping personal tale, including her exile from France and separation from her children, to explore the tragic conflict between political activism and familial obligation. With poetic language she crafts the history of Annette into a tale of epic proportions, while ruminating on the ethical and philosophical consequences of Annette’s decisions. Weber will be in conversation with Tess Lewis, the English translator of her novel.

About the speakers:

Anne Weber is a German-French author and translator based in Paris. She has received the 3Sat award at the Festival of German-Language Literature as well as a European translation award for her translation of Pierre Michon. Her most recent novel, Epic Annette, won the 2020 German Book Prize. 

Tess Lewis is a writer and translator from French and German. Lewis is a recipient of the John Simon Guggenheim Fellowship, and was awarded the ACFNY Translation Prize and the 2017 PEN Translation Prize for her translation of the novel Angel of Oblivion by Maja Haderlap.

Important information: The discussion will be available both online and in person. While the conversation will happen in person (Weber and Lewis will appear in the Reading Room), the Library will stream the conversation on Zoom for a live viewing experience. Both in-person and online attendees will be able to pose questions.

This event requires advance registration.