La ville pierre de Fred Vargas / Fred Vargas’ Stone Town

Abstract

This article aims to analyse the material relations and the symbolic construction of the city in Fred Vargas's crime novels. It will attempt to situate itself at the intersection of her sensual experience and her imaginary representations. Intersections those become so much more fruitful since Fred Vargas is a zoo archaeologist. Therefore, her reading of the city is filled with invisible signs for the profane eye although revealing to the indolent but attentive to the environment wayfarer. Hence, the city grants signs to its chosen: the detective who day and night walks the city streets. In turn, the reading of these signs reveals an unwavering archaeological will to make silent stones speak.

Keywords

• 21th century french literature
• city
• detective novels
• polar