Ananda Devi releases new Mauritian saga ‘Chronique d'un royaume perdu’

Mauritian author Ananda Devi has released her new novel, ‘Chronique d'un royaume perdu’, a saga she has developed over forty years. Published by Grasset, the work is described by her publisher as the author’s ‘masterpiece’.

The narrative centers on Le Bouchon, a coastal village in southern Mauritius that was founded around 1860 by five young people seeking refuge after being expelled from a large sugar estate. The story follows the community's struggle for survival against various natural and human calamities.

Devi, who began publishing at age 19, incorporates elements of magical realism, blending history with myth and the fantastic. The novel includes allegorical elements such as a deceased woman reborn as a protective goddess and a haunted mill, drawing inspiration from Indian, African, and European folklore.