In Paris, Julie, an entrepreneur, and Vincent, an ecology consultant, both young thirty-somethings, lead busy lives, passionate about their projects, far from their native Provence.
Julie must finalise the financing plan for her start-up, which is developing a new artificial intelligence: a firefighting robot capable of operating in the most hostile environments. Vincent is questioning his future within a political movement in which he is the specialist on ecological issues. But suddenly things become complicated. A terrible and insidious race against time begins for Julie when her company’s robot attracts the crossed covetousness of the nuclear industry and unscrupulous investment funds. Vincent notices once again, once too often, just months before a presidential election that crystallises opposing visions of democratic and ecological life, that political interests are taking precedence over environmental concerns, and his certainties waver. Confronted with the reality of the systems they move within, Julie and Vincent struggle to find a balance between their deepest aspirations, the quest that drives them, and the ruthless rules of those very systems. The struggle seems unequal, unless, one day, a spark…
“Far from their native Provence, one chose entrepreneurship, the other politics. Julie and Vincent are among those young people who dream of shifting the lines of society, both carrying visions for a fairer, more ecological world. In an elegant style and a well-documented plot, Ludovic Deblois narrates the life journey of these characters in search of meaning, who run up against the cynicism and conservatism of all those with no interest in change. But in a world where the best and the worst are inextricably intertwined, things are not entirely set in stone. The strength of this novel lies in sketching out a narrow path for societal change. A glimmer to hang one's hopes on, the way one's gaze fixes on the stars of a Provençal sky, to build plans for better tomorrows.”
“Over a decade at the helm of the photovoltaic technology company Sunpartner, Ludovic Deblois learned a great deal about the behind-the-scenes workings of the ruthless world of successful start-ups. Secret deals between shareholders, takeover manoeuvres, financial games, intimidation, treachery, betrayal… With Les licornes aussi renaissent de leurs cendres…, the entrepreneur turned novelist delivers an inspired debut work that is as much an enjoyable read as it is a user's guide to untamed (barbaric?) capitalism for entrepreneurs. A bible reminiscent of the famous Roi Vert of the 1980s. Readers will particularly devour the eminently realistic face-off between the heroine, Julie, and the head of a major corporation losing his composure in the face of this uncompromising thirty-something's impertinence. Will her love for an environmental activist destined for high political office survive this economic beating?…”
“For a debut novel, it's a success. The success of an author defending causes close to his heart. And, as I hope every time I read a book of this kind, may it awaken a few consciences in the face of the ecological disaster we have created.”
The first book I've read on the subjects of the environment, politics, and the world of finance.
These are issues of today's society.
It is simple and enjoyable to read.
Well written, no headaches,.
The two main protagonists are passionate about what they do.
You get drawn into their projects.
You want to know where it will lead them:
Family, the couple, feelings in the midst of all this.
This novel doesn't leave you indifferent!
It makes you think.
Why not..... question yourself
I really loved it!
Ludovic Deblois's first book, it's a success and it's very interesting!
Truly worth discovering
The term unicorn is used to describe a start-up valued at more than a billion dollars. This expression was coined by Aileen Lee in 2013. One novel, several destinies. Julie is married to Vincent. Young Parisian thirty-somethings, they are passionate about what they do. Vincent is a specialist in ecological issues; Julie must finalise the financing of her start-up, which is developing artificial intelligence. The upcoming presidential election crystallises the opposing vision of democratic and ecological life. Politicians' interests supersede environmental concerns. Julie and Vincent seek a balance between the reality of the system, unequal struggles and untamed capitalism. A clearly committed and personal societal novel in which the author draws on his experience and observations to help us understand the complexity of the world of investment and finance, while letting us glimpse that societal change is possible. A near-infinite number of themes are addressed: the couple, the family, children, the place of technology in our lives, energy, universal basic income, ecology, Europe, religion, democracy, blank voting, migrants, water, secularism, transport… So that we no longer live "disconnected from the ground" and "disconnected from nature." Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for their trust.
