Bernard Afflatet, a writer on the edge of science fiction
- Par nbesse
- Le 01/02/2026
- Dans Interviews and portraits
FR - Bernard Afflatet, a French novelist from the Gard region, has always been passionate about writing. Even if his professional life has been spent in the fields of mathematics, physics and chemistry, it has also opened the doors to different schools of thought, ‘such as Rudolf Steiner's anthroposophy, Krishnamurti's liberatory philosophy and the study of personalities since 2005’, not to mention a few forays into the field of music, with ‘several bands over a period of twenty years, more than half of which were solo projects: writing, composing, performing, studio work, recordings’...
|
'Science fiction can be defined as the branch of literature that is concerned with human responses to advances in science and technology.' Isaac Asimov
|
LET'S CHAT
From travels to novels
Bernard Afflatet draws on his travels, encounters and experiences to fuel his intense imagination and provide the backdrop for his novels. ‘Given my interest in science, it quickly became obvious to me that I should write under the label of science fiction or even anticipation.’
|
'Science fiction is the most important literature in history because it is the history of ideas, the history of our nascent civilisations'. Ray Bradbury (Interview, Brown Daily Herald, March 1995)
|
His first novel, Mitania, au cœur de la légende, launched a literary career in science fiction and post-apocalyptic fantasy alongside his teaching career.
This was followed by Caverne, Les Disparus du Val, Chroniques Amasiennes (a deliberate nod to the famous Chroniques Martiennes by genre specialist Ray Bradbury), Pacemaker, Hémisphère, Le Grand Ciel, Après les Brumes, Apoptosis... In addition, three of his novels are set in his village, Valliguières in the Gard region.
What prompted you to start writing?
I wrote a lot while composing my music. And I had already dabbled in just about every art form except novel writing...
However, after a trip to Norway, particularly Bergen, I wanted to showcase this town by dedicating a post-apocalyptic science fiction novel to it.
How did you work on your first novel?
I did a lot of research for my first novel, Mitania, au cœur de la légende (Mitania, at the heart of the legend), on the solar system, Norway and methods of survival when you have lost everything or almost everything.
This first novel took me four intense months to write, with a lot of editing. Then I had to find my first publisher, then a second and finally a third for the reissue of Mitania.
The line between anticipation and science fiction is a fine one...
My novels are all in the SF genre. But mainly in the post-apocalyptic and fantasy sub-genres.
The important thing for me is to write ‘page turners’, novels where the end of each chapter makes you want to find out more...
Through your writing, do you want to convey a message, an analysis, perhaps a reflection on today's world?
Ecology is often at the heart of my work, even if it is in a roundabout and subliminal way. And the fantasy genre allows us to escape completely, while keeping a real root: everything seems to be happening normally, when suddenly we are thrown into a world where the rules have changed!
You are a fairly prolific novelist, are you also an avid reader?
I admit that I find it difficult to find works that appeal to me today. Apart from the late Pierre Bordage (who died at the end of 2025), I have found few authors who take me on a journey into the realm of fantasy and post-apocalyptic fiction.
I remain very nostalgic for my masters: Barjavel, Wells, Orwell, Bradbury, Locecraft...
From book fairs to book signings
Bernard Afflatet enjoys meeting his readers at book fairs dedicated to the imagination. These include Imag'inarium, a fair specialising in fantasy literature, Les Aventuriales, the fantasy festival, and the Fête du livre...
In 2026, the author will be present in May at the Barjac book fair, in August at Lussan se livre, in September at the Rochefort du Gard and Marguerittes book fairs, in October at the Bouillargues book fair and in November at the Pont Saint-Esprit book fair. Take note in your diaries.
Many thanks to Bernard Afflatet for his collaboration on this article.
The right address: Bernard Afflatet Novelist, on facebook.