Carmen Cru #5

In "La fièvre," Carmen’s head spins with dizziness—likely another bout of malaria—and she resolves to seek relief in the fresh air of the park, hoping a walk will clear her mind. The story captures her wobbly journey with a mix of humor and quiet unease, as the city’s rhythms blur around her.

In "La grenouille," Carmen finds her quiet afternoon interrupted by her country nephew, who arrives with a peculiar request: he needs her help to discreetly end the unexpected pregnancy of a woman known only as La Grenouille. The story unfolds with the gentle absurdity and wry charm that define Carmen Cru, blending rural humor with a touch of cheeky moral ambiguity.

In "La leçon," Carmen revisits her childhood with a nostalgic trip to the attic, where her old piano awaits. Realizing she’s forgotten how to play, she seeks lessons from the unexpectedly versatile Doc Travisse—whose guitar and piano classes are just as surprising as his teaching style.

In the middle of a sudden downpour during a bike ride, Carmen takes shelter in an old chapel—only to find herself unexpectedly joined by the priest and his young assistant, who’ve arrived to restore the forgotten house of worship.

In "L'agression," Carmen finds herself unexpectedly stalked by a serial killer who breaks into her modest home. With no one else around and her usual wit her only weapon, the question isn't whether she’ll survive—but how she’ll outsmart a predator who’s never met her like her before.

In "La cour et la baraque," Jo, the sharp-witted tenant of a narrow canal-side building, finds herself caught between her landlord’s persistent offer and her mother’s cherished courtyard. With a quiet defiance and a wry sense of humor, she faces the tempting prospect of selling her family’s quiet refuge—without revealing whether she’ll stay or go.

In "Le bord de l'eau," Carmen strolls the edge of a quiet pond, gathering worms for her garden with cheerful indifference. When she spots a melancholy young woman on the dock, her usual routine takes an unexpected turn as she sets out—unconventionally—to lift her spirits.