History of Violence by Edouard Louis -book review

History of Violence by Edouard Louis, translated from the French by Loren Stein

In this book Louis narrates an attempt on his life and rape through multiple mechanisms. Mostly as victim, he reports what he overhears his sister telling her husband - clearly a second hand version of what happened as he, Louis, had told it to her. Through this we learn some family background and of the victim’s recent history. 

Interspersed into this eavesdropped account are moments when we learn about what happened via Louis as victim. Then there are paragraphs in the third person as if the narrator needs more distance from the horror of what has happened and the subsequent reporting of this to the police. 

So, a complex approach to the prose which focuses on a horrific unexpected attack and the equally difficult process of getting medical help, involving the police, and accepting the support of friends. Put simply that’s what the book is about -the attack and its aftermath for the victim. 

All is told in forensic details -the guilt, the unexpectedness, the swinging nature of helplessness and hopefulness about what is likely to happen as it happened and the insidious impact of trauma in the short and long term.

The writing is intense, it allows us into the victim’s mind and gives the reader access to thoughts that meander, unravel, minimise and exaggerate each and every aspect of his reaction to the trauma. When the story reaches a stopping point, a few months later, we reach the end. There is no conclusion because there can be no end to the impact of that night of violence. 

Not an easy book to read, not a book to enjoy but I was gripped. To spectate over someone else’s pain is a privilege and telling stories like this, ones that expose the fine detail of trauma through facts and memories is important. I was impressed with all this and would read more by the same author, though perhaps not just yet.