The Carousel of Desire

The Carousel of Desire is a sexual and romantic saga that combines a storyteller's attention to character and plot with philosophical inquiry into what makes life worthwhile. The novel follows interconnected characters including Zachary Bidermann, a powerful European Union commissioner; Faustina, a fashionable book publicist; François-Maxime de Couvigny, a married banker with secrets; Marcelle, who is involved with an illegal immigrant; and Mademoiselle Beauvert, among others. Their stories involve themes of desire, coincidence, and serendipity, with the mischievous god Eros playing a role in their entanglements. Schmitt presents an inclusive vision of human sexuality without moral judgment, while exploring the complex ethics of relationships and love's redemptive power. The novel examines class, community, and the breadth of human experience with tenderness and humor, demonstrating Schmitt's skill in chronicling the shifts in his characters' mental and emotional states.