Murakami, History, and Magical Realism: An Evening with Benjamin Hoffmann

Thursday, March 13, 2025 From 5:30 PM To 7:00 PM Add to Calendar 2025-03-13 17:30:00 2025-03-13 19:00:00 Murakami, History, and Magical Realism: An Evening with Benjamin Hoffmann Join us for a literary evening with acclaimed author Benjamin Hoffmann as he presents his latest work and shares his unique literary journey. The French Library, 53 Marlborough St, Boston, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York

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Join us for an insightful evening with acclaimed French author Benjamin Hoffmann, whose latest novel Je suis Murakami offers a unique perspective on self-discovery and belonging through an elegant and thought-provoking narrative.

Hoffmann’s previous works include Sentinel Island, a captivating tale of the Sentinelese people—one of the last uncontacted tribes on earth—woven with themes of globalization, friendship, and escape. In Les Minuscules, Hoffmann tells the story of Casanova’s last love and takes the reader on a journey filled with encounters with historical figures such as Mozart and Da Ponte, Leibniz and Voltaire, Diderot and Sade.

Moderated by Benoit Landon, librarian at the French Library, this conversation will shed light on Hoffmann's creative process, literary influences, and his journey as a writer.
Our author talk will be followed by a Q&A session, with a book signing and a glass of wine!

Language: The event will be held in English, with select excerpts from his books read in French.

Book Pre-Sales: Copies of Je suis Murakami are available for pre-order through the French Library and can be picked up in advance of the event.

Members

$15

Non-Members

$20

Admission + 1 Copy of Je suis Murakami

$30

About the Speakers:

Benjamin Hoffmann is a Franco-American writer and Professor of French and Francophone Literature at The Ohio State University. He holds a PhD from Yale and is the author of nine books published in France and the US, including Father and Son (Gallimard), American Pandemonium (Gallimard), Posthumous America (Garnier/Penn State University Press), The Paradoxes of Posterity (Minuit/Penn State University Press), Sentinel Island (Gallimard/Liverpool University Press), Les Minuscules (Gallimard), and Je suis Murakami (Zone Critique). Hoffmann's work explores themes such as exile and otherness, nostalgia and bereavement, the impact of new technologies, the legacy of the Enlightenment, and America's complex history. He is the founder of French Press, a literary channel that amplifies voices making headlines in France.

About the moderator: After studying journalism in France, Benoit Landon began his career in Paris where he lived and worked for over a decade. Since moving to the USA in 2021, Benoit has been a librarian at the French Library, where he runs a monthly book club and hosts author talks. He has had the opportunity to speak with Eric Chacour, Sophie Divry and Etienne Kern, among others. As a journalist, he is mainly interested in contemporary literature. He writes monthly book reviews and interviews writers such as Pulitzer Prize winner Richard Powers. You can find Benoit on Instagram (@benoit.usa.fr) where he shares his passion for books with a community of over 5k followers.

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Murakami, History, and Magical Realism: An Evening with Benjamin Hoffmann

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