Emmanuel Macron was present at the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the village of Bormes-les-Mimosas on August 17, 2024. The mention of Macron often leads to questions about whether he would make a good character in a novel. The dissolution of the National Assembly, which no one in the former majority has been able to explain, has shifted the analysis of Macron’s intentions to the psychological realm. This has become a source of inspiration for novelists, who find reality often surpassing fiction. A novel called “Un personnage de roman” by Philippe Besson that was dedicated to Macron and his first presidential campaign in 2017 seems particularly fitting in this context.
Aurélien Bellanger’s recently released novel “Les Derniers Jours du Parti socialiste” is a fictionalized account of the Spring Republican movement, featuring a character named “Le Chanoine” who closely resembles Macron, complete with descriptions of his physical features and his political beliefs. The novel portrays “Le Chanoine” as an ambiguous figure, detached from traditional political affiliations, who adopts a jupiterian presidency style to set himself apart from his predecessors. Bellanger draws parallels between Macron and literary characters like Julien Sorel from Stendhal’s works, positioning him as a modern-day ambitious protagonist.
The novel describes “Le Chanoine” engaging in what Bellanger calls “virile hypnosis sessions,” where he charms his targets with intense eye contact. These charismatic displays are not so much about convincing others of his exceptionalism, but rather about reassuring himself of his own genius. Bellanger portrays the president as a self-styled magician, relying on his self-belief as his key political asset. The narrative delves into moments of introspection, such as a period of melancholy experienced by “Le Chanoine” after his re-election, mirroring Macron’s own struggles post-election as documented by journalist Ludovic Vigogne.
One of the novel’s chapters, titled “The Month of Melancholy,” captures the same sense of aimlessness felt by Macron following his second term victory. “Le Chanoine” grapples with a sense of apathy, knowing he will not be able to run for re-election in five years, leading to a state of acedia akin to the melancholy experienced by disillusioned monks. The intertwined narratives in the novel reflect the complexities of contemporary politics and the psychological dimensions of leadership. By blurring the lines between fiction and reality, authors like Bellanger offer a unique perspective on Macron’s presidency, inviting readers to question the balance between myth and reality in political storytelling.
As writers continue to dissect Macron’s persona and political trajectory, the boundaries between fact and fiction blur in the pursuit of understanding the enigmatic figure that is the French president. The ongoing narrative surrounding Macron’s presidency unfolds on both political and psychological fronts, shedding light on his leadership style, beliefs, and personal struggles. Through literary devices and fictionalized accounts, novelists like Bellanger offer a nuanced portrayal of Macron as a complex character straddling tradition and modernity, ambition and self-doubt. The exploration of Macron as a character in the realm of fiction underscores the transformative power of storytelling in shaping public perceptions of political figures and their legacies.
