Belgian Author Adeline Dieudonné Explores the Dark Descent of Domestic Violence in New Novel ‘Dans la jungle’
Belgian novelist Adeline Dieudonné is returning to the harrowing depths of domestic trauma with her latest work, Dans la jungle. In her fourth novel, Dieudonné crafts a macabre crescendo, meticulously tracing how the psychological grip of a perverse partner can escalate into the ultimate tragedies of femicide and infanticide.
The narrative utilizes a sophisticated structural device known as analepsis—a literary flashback—to bridge the gap between a devastating present and the origins of the violence. The story opens within the sterile, hushed environment of a notary’s office, where two families gather to liquidate the estate of a couple. The grim reality of their situation is laid bare: the husband took his own life only after murdering his wife and their two young children.
From this bleak starting point, the novel rewinds to the beginning of the relationship, charting the gradual emergence of a destructive obsession. The protagonists, Arnaud and Aurélie, both hailing from the affluent bourgeoisie of Brabant wallon, first spark a connection during a “Bike Night”—a nocturnal mountain bike race characterized by adrenaline, sweat, and alcohol. While the initial attraction is immediate and passionate, the foundation of their romance is soon tested.
The turning point occurs when Arnaud departs for China for a year, leaving the future of their relationship uncertain. Upon his return, the discovery that Aurélie had been with other men triggers a violent outburst of jealousy. This pivotal moment serves as the prelude to a cycle of abuse and control that eventually leads to the family’s annihilation.
This exploration of domestic horror follows a trajectory similar to other acclaimed works, such as Leïla Slimani’s Goncourt Prize-winning Chanson douce, which also used a shocking revelation to propel a backward-looking narrative. For Dieudonné, this thematic focus is a continuation of a career defined by the study of pain; it has been eight years since her breakthrough novel, La vraie vie, which provided a searing account of a bruised childhood.
By dissecting the slow-motion collapse of a family, Dans la jungle underscores the insidious nature of domestic abuse. The release further establishes Dieudonné as a provocative voice in contemporary literature, dedicated to exposing the hidden violences that persist even within the most privileged social strata.
