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Savannah
“In 2007, Jean Rolin accompanied photographer Kate Berry (1967-2013) to Milledgeville , near Savannah, in the state of Georgia, as she made a journey in the footsteps of Flannery O’Connor. Seven years later, not long after Kate’s death, the author returned to Savannah, making a poignant, solitary pilgrimage in which he attempted to retrace her footsteps, using as his guide the video films of the ground beneath her feet that she had obsessively shot during their trip.”
95 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2015
21 people want to read
About the author
Jean Rolin
43 books12 followersJean Rolin is a French writer and journalist known for his distinctive narrative style and profound exploration of sociopolitical issues. Born on June 14, 1949, in Boulogne-Billancourt, France, Rolin has had a career marked by an interplay between journalism and literature. His works often blend fiction and reportage, creating a unique hybrid that reflects his sharp observational skills and deep engagement with the world.
Rolin studied literature at the University of Paris but found himself drawn to the tumultuous political landscape of the 1960s. He became actively involved in leftist movements, an experience that later influenced his writing, particularly in his nuanced depictions of political and social dynamics.
His career as a journalist took him to various parts of the globe, including Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. These experiences enriched his literary work, as he frequently draws upon his travels to craft vivid narratives. His writing captures not only the physical landscapes but also the complexities of human existence in these regions.
Rolin’s literary debut came in 1980 with "Journal de Gand aux Aléoutiennes, a work that set the tone for his blend of memoir, travelogue, and fiction. He has since published numerous books, including L'Explosion de la durite (1997), Le Ravissement de Britney Spears (2011), and Les Événements (2020). His works are characterized by an understated yet incisive humor, a keen eye for detail, and an ability to illuminate the absurdities of contemporary life.
In addition to his literary achievements, Rolin has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Prix Médicis in 1996 for L'Homme qui a vu l'ours and the Prix Ptolémée in 2014 for Ormuz.
Rolin studied literature at the University of Paris but found himself drawn to the tumultuous political landscape of the 1960s. He became actively involved in leftist movements, an experience that later influenced his writing, particularly in his nuanced depictions of political and social dynamics.
His career as a journalist took him to various parts of the globe, including Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. These experiences enriched his literary work, as he frequently draws upon his travels to craft vivid narratives. His writing captures not only the physical landscapes but also the complexities of human existence in these regions.
Rolin’s literary debut came in 1980 with "Journal de Gand aux Aléoutiennes, a work that set the tone for his blend of memoir, travelogue, and fiction. He has since published numerous books, including L'Explosion de la durite (1997), Le Ravissement de Britney Spears (2011), and Les Événements (2020). His works are characterized by an understated yet incisive humor, a keen eye for detail, and an ability to illuminate the absurdities of contemporary life.
In addition to his literary achievements, Rolin has been recognized with several awards, including the prestigious Prix Médicis in 1996 for L'Homme qui a vu l'ours and the Prix Ptolémée in 2014 for Ormuz.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 11, 2018
roman photographique où l'on suit la quête de Jean Rollin
February 19, 2021
I had to read this for school and I’m sorry jean Rolin but this book put me to sleep several times
September 3, 2025
Having just spent some time in Savannah and picked this up there, I was excited. It was fun to read about places I just walked around, but I found the book mostly more towards meh...
March 22, 2017
Le 27 août 2014, Jean Rolin atterrit à Savannah, dans l’état de Géorgie, là où il séjourna en 2007 avec sa compagne, Kate Barry, décédée depuis en 2013. À l’époque, ils avaient entrepris ce voyage sur les traces de Flannery O’Connor, romancière américaine à laquelle Kate voulait consacrer un film. Maintenant, en 2014, c’est sur leurs propres traces, celle de Kate et la sienne, que revient l’écrivain, tentant de remettre ses pas dans ceux de 2007, se remémorant leur voyage, en s’aidant des bouts de films et des photos de Kate.
C’est à la fois un journal de voyage et un tombeau à l’absente que propose Jean Rolin avec ce livre. Son insistance à refaire exactement les mêmes choses qu’en 2007 est très touchante, même si c’est parfois impossible. Ainsi, le motel où ils s’étaient installés est fermé, l’obligeant à prendre une chambre ailleurs. De même, il passe du temps à retrouver le reflet des deux palmiers dans une flaque d’eau, ce qui finit par arriver après un orage providentiel le 2 septembre.
Un texte émouvant mais jamais triste, tant Jean Rolin s’attache à montrer la gaité et la fantaisie de sa compagne, sa facilité à nouer des relations amicales avec les gens qu’elle rencontre, comme le chauffeur de taxi qui va les accompagner plusieurs jours dans leurs déplacements. Et pourtant, on sent bien la peine de l’auteur, prête à surgir, mais qu’il maintient à distance en s’obligeant à reconstituer au plus près les étapes du voyage. Une grande tendresse s’exprime dans ce témoignage poétique et sincère.
C’est à la fois un journal de voyage et un tombeau à l’absente que propose Jean Rolin avec ce livre. Son insistance à refaire exactement les mêmes choses qu’en 2007 est très touchante, même si c’est parfois impossible. Ainsi, le motel où ils s’étaient installés est fermé, l’obligeant à prendre une chambre ailleurs. De même, il passe du temps à retrouver le reflet des deux palmiers dans une flaque d’eau, ce qui finit par arriver après un orage providentiel le 2 septembre.
Un texte émouvant mais jamais triste, tant Jean Rolin s’attache à montrer la gaité et la fantaisie de sa compagne, sa facilité à nouer des relations amicales avec les gens qu’elle rencontre, comme le chauffeur de taxi qui va les accompagner plusieurs jours dans leurs déplacements. Et pourtant, on sent bien la peine de l’auteur, prête à surgir, mais qu’il maintient à distance en s’obligeant à reconstituer au plus près les étapes du voyage. Une grande tendresse s’exprime dans ce témoignage poétique et sincère.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews