The Audacious Republic of Cornani: Jean-Paul Delfino Uncovers a 19th-Century French Imposture
Jean-Paul Delfino’s new novel, “COUNANI, a king without land or crown,” plunges into the tumultuous 19th-century landscape of Guyana, a territory populated by a diverse mix of individuals - liberated convicts, gold prospectors, former slaves, and adventurers - alongside representatives of French administration. The novel revisits characters from Delfino’s previous work, “Guyanes” (2023), namely Clara and Mané, a married couple comprised of a white woman and a Black man, both former convicts. The narrative is sparked when Clara unexpectedly returns to France, prompting Mané to embark on a journey to find her, a journey that weaves between Guyana and Paris.
Central to the story is the remarkable,and largely unknown,history of Jules gros (1829-1891),a French geographer and journalist. despite never having visited Guyana, Gros declared himself president of the autonomous ”Republic of Guyana,” or “Republic of Cornani,” in 1886. In the novel, Mané becomes a collaborator of Gros in Paris.
Delfino, speaking on the Vertigo show on September 12th, confessed his interest with Gros, stating, “I still do not know if this gentleman was a utopian, a poet, a crook or simply someone a little cracked.” He further noted that the ancient relationship between Paris and Guyana has consistently been marked by “a frantic Jacobinism and a poor reputation.”
The novel details how Gros exploited the widespread belief in Guyana’s potential wealth, promising ample returns on investments to a number of unsuspecting individuals. He successfully convinced them that the newly proclaimed republic represented an “Eldorado.”
“COUNANI” contrasts the stark reality of a neglected Guyana with the fantastical mirages conjured in Paris regarding the territory’s supposed riches. Gros’s ambition extended beyond mere proclamation; he commissioned a flag, drafted a constitution, and even attempted to establish a functioning government, appointing butchers unfamiliar with even basic geography as ministers and opening consulates and embassies across Europe. Remarkably, some foreign nations initially believed in the republic’s legitimacy, a testament to the power of repeated falsehood.
Delfino emphasizes that Gros’s actions are emblematic of France’s historical ignorance regarding its overseas territories. “I wanted to tell the character of Jules Gros, as for me he is very emblematic of the ignorance of the rest of the world by France,” he explained.
The author draws parallels between the 19th-century situation and contemporary French policy,expressing dismay that little progress has been made. “I really have the impression of having written a contemporary novel,” Delfino stated, citing recent proposals to reopen the Cayenne prison or establish a company in Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon as evidence that “We did not advance a millimeter, it is cataclysmic.”
“COUNANI, A King without land or crown” by Jean-Paul Delfino is published by ISTYA and CIE and is scheduled for release in August 2025.
(Source: Interview by pierre Philippe CADERT, adaptation web: mh)
