There is nothing quite like reading an inspiring book during the holiday season. Setting aside time to read can be a deeply cathartic experience - one that allows time to slip by almost effortlessly. Panayotis Pascot’s “La prochaine fois que tu mordras la poussière” was my companion across many moments this winter – from bustling Paris metro stations to the quiet rhythm of the TGV to Lyon, and even the cozy calm of cafés in Corsica.
The release of Pascot’s book came as a surprise, especially given my familiarity with him as a reporter on Le Petit Journal alongside Yann Barthès and as a comedian, notably through his stand-up show “Presque”, available on Netflix. His literary debut quickly became one of the best-selling books in France, ranking alongside - and at times ahead of - works by Amélie Nothomb, Sorj Chalandon or Maria Pourchet. Its tone and themes echo the powerful voices of Abdellah Taïa and Édouard Louis.
In this deeply personal narrative, Pascot courageously lays bare his inner world, exploring the complexities of his relationships with family, friends, and lovers – most poignantly, his bond with ailing father. He confronts questions of identity, sexuality, and mental well-being with striking honesty, navigating a path that is as fragile as it is revealing.
This intimate and refreshing contribution to the contemporary French literary landscape notably examines the weight of patriarchy and toxic masculinity, which Pascot describes as a “piège” (trap). In his search for acceptance, he moves through the painful terrain of performative masculinity, likening himself to a “mannequin” stripped of identity, or an actor confined to a role. Reflecting on one of his relationships with a girl, he admits: “Je veux me rappeler ce que c’est qu’être un homme. Et souvent je me trompe...[…]Plus un homme, un homme dépossédé de toute virilité.” His romantic experiences unfold as a cycle marked by shame, self-doubt, and a tension between rejecting and reaffirming his homosexuality.
Throughout the novel, Pascot notably interweaves existential reflections, childhood memories, and intimate thoughts - those often felt yet rarely spoken. He also critiques what he perceives as the artificial rhythms of modern life: the repetition of work, family obligations, and even celebratory rituals like Christmas. In this context, writing and artistic creation emerge as a lifeline, offering moments of clarity and solace amid emotional turbulence.
By the final pages, it becomes clear that this work captures the profound difficulty of communicating with those closest to us, while expressing a deep desire to love and be loved in return. Much like the works of Taïa, Pascot ultimately affirms, in his own distinct voice, that he too is digne d’être aimé.
Alan Gómez
Manager of Youth Programs, Corporate Outreach & Exams
With over a decade of experience in education, Alan Gómez serves as Manager of Youth Programs, Corporate Outreach, and Exams. He holds an A.M. in French Studies from Brown University and an M.A. in Francophone Studies from CSU, Long Beach, and brings expertise in second language acquisition, foreign language pedagogy, and program development.
Prior to joining the French Library, Alan was a lecturer of French and Spanish at Bryant University where he taught language and culture, critical thinking, and writing and composition. Co-author of the innovative textbook, Juntos: French for Speakers of English and Spanish (2015), his recent scholarly contributions include the chapter Intercomprehension of the Romance Languages in the L3+ Classroom [...] (2020).
