Child 44: Fascinating insight into 1950's Russia

If you have never read anything about this period of the former Soviet Union history, I definitely recommend this book! It is simply frightening to discover how a state has created its own logic: if you are a suspect, you are guilty because the state does not make mistakes and does not suspect those who are not guilty.

The story: It is set in the Soviet Union and in the year 1953; Stalin's reign of terror is at its height, and those who stand up against the might of the state vanish into the labour camps – or vanish altogether.  Tom Rob Smith puts his hero right at the heart of this hideous regime, as an officer in no less than the brutal Ministry State Security.

Leo Demidov is, basically, an instrument of the state - by no means a villain, but one who tries to look not too closely into the repressive work he does. His superiors remind him that there is no crime in Soviet Union, and he is somehow able to maintain its fiction in his mind even as he tracks down and punishes the miscreants. The body of a young boy is found on railway tracks in Moscow, and Demidov is quickly informed that there is nothing to the case. He quickly realises that something unpleasant is being covered over here, but is forced to obey his orders. However, things begin to quickly unravel, and this ex-hero of state suddenly finds himself in disgrace, exiled with his wife Raisa to a town in the Ural Mountains. And things will get worse for him - not only the murder of another child, but even the life and safety of his wife.

The fiction is inspired by a true story: a killer called Andrei Chikatilo murdered over sixty children, girls, boys, over a period of ten years. Reading about the case, Tom Rob Smith realized this wasn’t a criminal mastermind who had evaded capture through devious skill. He had gone on killing for so long because the system refused to admit he even existed. He should have been caught on numerous occasions but the prejudices of the State got in the way and, as a result, tragically, many children died.  

Belgium: 12 points

"Belgium plays its future" declared yesterday one of the leading French Belgian newspaper, "La Libre Belgique". At the same time, it opened a debate (here) on the Belgian identity.


0bviously, Belgian identity is THE essential question! What does it mean today to be a Belgian? Shall we (or can we) continue to live in the same complex, multicultural, multilingual and sometimes paranoid Belgium? Or should we vote for separatism and simplification: the rich Flemish majority on one hand and the poorer and supposedly lazier Walloons on the other hand?   Oh and, by the way, where does Brussels end up in this scenario?


Seen from far away, Belgium is so small that it would probably completely disappear from the map if we were to split it even further. And, despite the arrogant discourses of the most vindicative Flemish spokesmen, there is a Belgian identity: we have a common history of resistance (starting very long ago with a small Gallic tribe..), a rich artistic and cultural legacy, famous scientists, engineers, craftsmen, sportsmen. Our workforce is renowned the world over. And of course, everyone appreciates Belgian beers, chocolates, fries, comics, humor, etc.


I have always been very proud to live in such a tiny & rich country where two cultures and languages (or even three with the German Community) cohabit in mostly pacific terms, where compromise is an art and self mockery and surrealism a second nature. A native "Brusseler", I'm both deeply European and intrinsically Belgian. I feel even more genuinely Belgian, since I'm born from a Walloon mother who lived near the German border and from a perfectly bilingual father whose family originated from Lokeren in Flandern. So, I can undoubtedly proclaim that I am a true Belgian. And quite a number of Belgians share the same mixity. Hence, I can only disagree with the analysis I've read (here) and that is mainly influenced by Flemish extremists arguments.

I feel particularly enriched by the Belgian patchwork of languages and cultures, by the constant interest and respect for other lifestyles. My home is full of books in several languages. Why would I restrict my horizon to just Dutch or French ?

It is really astounding to see the little creativity and dynamism our politicians have developed to shape the future of our country. Times have changed and we need to reinvent and rejuvenate our country. However, splitting Belgium is not a strategy I'd recommend !

I will continue to vote for Belgium: 12 points !

Carlos Ruiz Zafon - The angel's game (Le jeu de l'ange)

At first glance I knew I would love that book!

End of last year, the novel was piling up in all the booksellers of Brussels. And it was presented as a "must read"!   I had never heard of Ruiz Zafon before, but, at the same time, I have a very limited knowledge of the Spanish literature ...
The cover was mysterious enough and the back cover did wake my interest, so I made it my next holiday reading !

Zafon is really an amazing writer. Once you have dwelved into his book, you can hardly stop! I had some pretty short nights ... 

The synopsis:In an abandoned mansion at the heart of Barcelona, a young man, David Martín, makes his living by writing sensationalist novels under a pseudonym. The survivor of a troubled childhood, he has taken refuge in the world of books and spends his nights spinning baroque tales about the city’s underworld. But perhaps his dark imaginings are not as strange as they seem, for in a locked room deep within the house lie photographs and letters hinting at the mysterious death of the previous owner.Like a slow poison, the history of the place seeps into his bones as he struggles with an impossible love. Close to despair, David receives a letter from a reclusive French editor, Andreas Corelli, who makes him the offer of a lifetime. He is to write a book unlike anything that has ever existed--a book with the power to change hearts and minds. In return, he will receive a fortune, and perhaps more. But as David begins the work, he realizes that there is a connection between his haunting book and the shadows that surround his home.

What's the difference between content, creative and story ?

I came across this question here and it took me a while to figure out how I could distinguish these terms. Here's an attempt:

I tend to look at the story as the architecture (or structure), the creative as the concept (or idea or vision) and the content as the raw material (or loose information). 
In other words, a content without a story is a succession of words or thoughts without an aim. One can easily jump from one chunk to the next -which is typical for web content- without missing much. 
On the contrary, it is far more risky to move away from a story before "the end" as you never know if you've reached the true climax or touched the intrinsic meaning before you get to the conclusion.
And, finally, creative without content or story is an abstract art. It may be beautiful but it is often totally hermetic.

Texel in April: Lonely, windy beaches

Texel is one of the Wadden islands, some 100 km north of Amsterdam.

If you're looking for fresh air, clean beaches, lovely villages and picturesque cottages, queues of bicycles and a wide variety of birds and sheeps ... that's the place to go for the spring holidays !

It's definitely a change compared to Britany or Normandy where we usually spend a week around Easter but we enjoyed every minute of it.

Innovating from the inside-out

Just read a very interesting post from Larry Ackerman.

Why do we spend so much time studying customer needs as the basis for innovation, when its real source is right in front of our eyes? Innovate from the core and you’ll guarantee that your company enjoys a long and happy life. 

I recently read an article about Starbucks and its attempt to rejuvenate itself by going back to its essential, idiosyncratic roots, its eclectic, neighborhood gestalt, which eventually spawned its enormous success. (...) Why? Because innovating from the core - going ‘back to the future’ to jump-start innovation is the most natural act in the world.  Ford does it by continuing to ‘democratize the automobile,’ something it’s been good at since 1900. IBM does it by applying technology solutions to solve the world’s thorniest business - and now societal - problems. Apple does it by irrepressibly finding new ways to ‘humanize the computer.’ How does your company do it?

Why are we obsessed with promulgating the "new and improved" when the life of our organizations depends on constantly re-interpreting its original vision, or purpose in ways that marry up to how people and markets are changing? Why do we look outside for answers that are right under our noses? 

The Genius / Les Visages - An absolute must read !

Whether you read the original american version (The Genius or The Brutal Art) or the French translation as I did, I'm sure you will enjoy every minute of Jesse Kellerman's unusual, gripping and compelling thriller. 


Mise en bouche:
Lorsque Ethan Muller, propriétaire d'une galerie d'art à New York, met la main sur une série de dessins d'une qualité exceptionnelle, il sait qu'il va enfin pouvoir se faire un nom dans l'univers impitoyable des marchands d'art. Leur mystérieux auteur, Victor Crack, a disparu après avoir vécu reclus près de quarante ans dans un appartement miteux. Dès que les dessins sont rendus publics, la critique est unanime: c'est le travail d'un génie.  La mécanique se dérègle le jour où un flic à la retraite reconnaît sur certains portraits les visages d'enfants victimes, des années plus tôt, d'un mystérieux tueur en série. Ethan se lance alors dans une enquête qui va bien vite virer à l'obsession... 


Have a look at the author's website here.