The Seven Houses in France

The Seven Houses in France follows a Belgian military unit stationed in the Congo Free State in 1903, under King Leopold II's colonial rule. At the center is Captain Lalande Biran, who serves in the Force Publique while pursuing his ambition to acquire seven houses in France through his profits from ivory and mahogany. The arrival of a new officer, Chrysostome Liège, disrupts the established order in the unit's remote outpost. Chrysostome's exceptional marksmanship and ascetic lifestyle stand in contrast to the other officers' indulgences and exploitation. The novel draws sharp contrasts between European ideals of civilization and the brutal realities of colonial exploitation. Through its focus on character relationships and power dynamics, the book examines themes of greed, moral corruption, and the human capacity for both cruelty and resistance in a colonial setting.

Readers describe this as a dark satire of colonialism in the Belgian Congo, with many noting its unique blend of humor and horror. The narrative style draws comparisons to Joseph Conrad and Gabriel García Márquez. Readers appreciated: - The precise, understated prose style - Complex character development - Historical accuracy and period details - The balance of comedy with serious themes Common criticisms: - Slow pacing in the middle sections - Some found the tone inconsistent - Characters can be difficult to connect with - Multiple storylines that don't fully converge Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon: 3.7/5 (15 ratings) LibraryThing: 3.6/5 (30+ ratings) One reader noted: "The writing has a detached quality that mirrors the colonial mindset perfectly." Another commented: "The absurdist elements sometimes undercut the serious message about imperialism."

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🌍 Though the novel is set in the Belgian Congo in 1903, author Bernardo Atxaga wrote it in Basque (Euskara), his native language, before it was translated into other languages. 🏰 The "seven houses" referenced in the title belong to Queen Christiane of Belgium, who sought to build them using wealth extracted from the Congo Free State. ✒️ Bernardo Atxaga (born Joseba Irazu Garmendia) is considered one of the most important Basque writers of all time and has helped bring Basque literature to international attention. 🎯 One of the central characters, Captain Lalande Biran, is both a poet and a sharpshooter—a juxtaposition that highlights the novel's exploration of beauty and brutality. 🏆 The book received the Mondello Prize, one of Italy's most prestigious literary awards, in the category of foreign literature when it was translated into Italian.