“Cosmétique de l’ennemi” by Amélie Nothomb (2001)

“Cosmétique de l’ennemi” by Amélie Nothomb (2001) Can be translated as “Cosmetics of the enemy” or as “Enemy Cosmetics”

This novel is the tenth in her bibliography and was published by Albin Michel in the same year. It has also been translated into several languages, including Esperanto under the title “Kosmetiko de l’malamiko.”

Cosmétique de l’ennemi is the second book I’ve read by Amélie… and the first one I’ve considered a masterpiece. I didn’t know what to expect. She surprises me every time. I didn’t see it coming. And I recognized myself quite a bit in the person who wants to be alone… but also in the person who never stops talking and sticks to your heels.

The ending is stunning, brutal, and incredible. I can’t say too much about it or make comparisons with other works, because that would spoil the fun.

At school, we learned lots of rules. Our teacher told us that we should avoid dialogue in a text, that we should use as little as possible. This book was a revelation, as it showed me that you can break the rules and do whatever you want. It goes without saying that my French teacher at the time didn’t appreciate Nothomb’s writing or “the character she created for herself with her hat.” As a result, he would find it difficult to understand, unfortunately, how much of a treat it was to have met her twice, especially after reading about seventeen of her books.

My girlfriend told me about the movie. Apparently, it’s very different. It’s not easy to adapt that to film. I’m not sure I want to see it, because I like to keep the image I have in my head, the one I created through my imagination. I suppose “Cosmétique de l’ennemi” was adapted for the screen in the same way as Stephen King’s “Jessie/Gerald’s Game,” that is, faithfully, but not similarly.

The names Amélie comes up with are always exceptional. Here, Textor Texel meets Jérôme Angust for a discussion that is both captivating and disturbing.

For most people, I imagine that cosmetics are products intended for face and body care. According to Larousse: also refers to something that only changes appearances, that does not go to the heart of the matter. For A. Nothomb, cosmetics is the science of universal order, the supreme morality that determines the world…

In the face of the enemy, one must advance in disguise, change one’s appearance to defeat the assassin and finally save morality. A closed-door drama that takes place entirely in the waiting room of an airport departure lounge.

The title of this book is quite similar to “The Assassin’s Hygiene”. Don’t confuse these two books! But both are well worth reading. Unless you’re the type to be (slightly) wary of authors who put on a show and are loved by the press! In which case, you’re in the wrong place!

Because, personally, I’m completely crazy about Amélie Nothomb. But… of course, I completely understand that not everyone likes her. Let’s just say she has a particular style for particular stories and particular characters.

In fact, it’s very simple: you either like her or you don’t! And I obviously fall into the first category. I put off reading her stories for years because I was waiting for the right moment to start. And that was a mistake! I should have started much earlier. Since then, I haven’t stopped.

A brilliant novel that’s a quick read, zany, with some really funny dialogue… well, yes: it’s Nothomb!!!