A fresh novel is already topping the charts, telling the little-known story between Mozart and his father.
The latest book from Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt is quietly making waves, quickly appearing in bookstore displays. Barely released, the novel has already landed among the week’s bestsellers, proving the author remains one of the most popular French-language writers. Its title, “Juste après Dieu, il y a papa” (Just After God, There is Father), is both intriguing and deeply personal. The book delves into the real-life, complex relationship between Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and his father, Leopold. Published by Albin Michel in late February 2026, the work explores one of the most fascinating familial dynamics in music history.
A Tumultuous Bond: Mozart and His Father
The story begins with a simple word: “Papa.” For young Wolfgang, that single word initially embodied all his admiration for Leopold Mozart, his father, teacher and musical guide. Leopold discovered his son’s talent, nurtured it, provided his education, and took him on musical tours across Europe. But as the child prodigy blossomed into a genius composer, the balance between admiration and rivalry began to shift.
The son yearned for independence, to live life on his own terms, and to compose freely. The father, however, watched the son he had molded slowly slip away. Schmitt examines this delicate moment where filial love intertwines with disappointment, pride, and even resentment—a tension he suggests is common in many parent-child relationships.
A Concise, Emotional Read
At under 200 pages, “Juste après Dieu, il y a papa” is a quick read. The author blends historical fact with emotion to tell a universal story: that of a father and son connected by love, but also by ambition and music. What makes the narrative particularly poignant is Schmitt’s exploration of the human side of genius, revealing Mozart not as a mythic figure, but as a man grappling with his father’s legacy and the need to forge his own path.
Music serves as the invisible thread connecting the two men, even as their paths diverge. Translated into dozens of languages and performed worldwide, Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt is one of the most widely read French-language authors of his generation. This new novel further solidifies his talent for transforming real-life stories into profoundly human narratives. Early sales figures suggest it could grow one of the most discussed books of the year.
Book Details
Juste après Dieu, il y a papa – Éric-Emmanuel Schmitt
Publication Date: February 2026
Publisher: Albin Michel
Pages: 192
Price: €19.90
