Winner of the 2018 Fénéon Literary Prize. Helen and Franck, both born into high-ranking diplomatic families, meet in Rome as high-school students and immediately detect in each other the wounded child hidden beneath their gilded social status. Their relationship becomes a dangerous, explosive mix of love and friendship. Kerninon’s English language debut, full of masterfully orchestrated twists and turns, leaves simple distinctions behind and progresses on to far more intriguing terrain. A subtle, captivating, and insightful exploration of the mysterious connections between love, submission, and creation.