Why do the men say, in spite of the extra work, the exhaustion, the apprehension caused by the threat of a flood, and then sometimes by the flood itself, why do they say, without explanation, “I’ ll never leave!”? Why should they see leaving as a sign of failure, when there’ s no point in staying?
Marie Ndiaye
*Marie NDiaye is a French novelist, playwright, and screenwriter who wrote her first book at just 17 years old. This excerpt is taken from her book Self-Portrait in Green. NDiaye’s profound understanding of human nature allows her to depict lives with striking clarity, often delving into the grim depths of human experience and emotional complexity.


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