In conversation with Professor Alison James, French writer François-Henri Désérable will discuss his latest book, L’Usure d’un monde (Gallimard, 2023). Working in a long tradition of travel writing (from Pierre Loti to Paul Theroux), L’Usure d’un monde takes us on a journey across Iran in the footsteps of Swiss writer Nicolas Bouvier. Traveling from Tehran to Zahedan, Désérable describes a country in crisis but also offers a story of everyday encounters and poetic discoveries, as well as portraits of extraordinary courage. Conversation in French; reception to follow. This event is free and open to the public. It is made possible thanks to the support of the Cultural Services of the French Embassy in Chicago, the France Chicago Center, Villa Albertine, and the Department of Romance Languages and Literatures. Persons with disabilities who need accommodation in order to participate should email Sylvie Goutas (sgoutas@uchicago.edu) in advance.