Reading a science fiction novel means peering into a future that may scare us. It’s about getting ahead and asking questions. In his novel, "Elsa Malt, The Odyssey of Consciences", author Yves Girouard tackles this unknown by imagining what this fascinating future could look like... In his book, Yves directly confronts us with what might be, to better understand the present. It's a text that alerts, entertains, and keeps us on edge throughout this story, which can be read in one sitting...

Baudelaire Editions presents a futuristic book where science and technology are inseparable. A range of philosophical and ethical questions arise. The major themes of this book revolve mainly around the survival of human consciousness, transhumanism, and the evolution of our society as it stands...

What if we projected ourselves into 2054?

A great world war has just ravaged the entire planet, and profound upheavals are underway. Humanity has shifted, its sole focus now being on resources and the implantation of technologies into the human body. These are the fears of many conspiracy theorists, who believe the government is trying to control us, much like during the global pandemic linked to the coronavirus. Some whistleblowers did not hesitate to spread fake news about chips supposedly designed by Steve Jobs himself. Implants meant to modify our behavior, the creation and dissemination of a virus for monetary gain—2020 saw its fair share of wild speculations... Yet, as far-fetched as these accusations were, they also drew in many curious minds who refused to get vaccinated, convinced that the serum was designed to alter their DNA.

Another highly delicate topic raised by the author is eugenics. As a reminder, eugenics is a practice aimed at improving our species' genetic characteristics by selecting or eliminating certain traits deemed desirable or undesirable. Historically, eugenics was used by the Third Reich under German Chancellor Adolf Hitler, with the goal of creating a perfect population—the so-called Aryan race. Now back to our reading: *The Odyssey of Consciences*...

The story follows Elsa, a visionary and strong businesswoman who leads a powerful company, EM Corporation. Elsa Malt is unlike anyone else: a woman of science and a genius entrepreneur, she embodies humanity's ultimate dream—pushing the limits of death itself. But how far is she willing to go to realize her fantasies?

After the tragic loss of her son, Elsa decides to dedicate her life to a monumental project: Galilea. This project, carried out in the utmost secrecy, aims to preserve human consciousness after physical death by storing brains in a secure facility on Callisto, one of Jupiter's moons. What begins as a quest to overcome, even destroy grief, turns into an ethical challenge for all of humanity...

Does this story remind us of "Transcendence"?

This scenario might remind us of the film "Transcendence". In the near future, science crosses a dangerous line. Dr. Will Caster, played by Johnny Depp, is a brilliant researcher in artificial intelligence, obsessed with creating an artificial consciousness capable of surpassing human intelligence. After being gravely injured, Will transfers his own consciousness into a supercomputer. This action gives him unimaginable power, but the experiment quickly spirals out of control... As he merges his mind with limitless technological power, this film raises critical questions: how far can we go in the quest for immortality, and at what cost? Featuring a star-studded cast—Morgan Freeman, Rebecca Hall, Cillian Murphy—this memorable film echoes the themes of Girouard's book.

Why should we read *The Odyssey of Consciences*?

One of the novel's great strengths lies in its main character, Elsa Malt. A fierce and fearless businesswoman, Elsa evokes empathy and commands respect. Do we need to sacrifice part of our humanity to survive beyond death? This book offers a profound reflection on the future, on the promises and dangers of technology, but also on how we choose to live and die. It's a work that brings to the table other current themes, such as euthanasia. Inevitably, as readers, we find ourselves grappling with questions about the nature of consciousness. Yves Girouard's writing proves to be as poetic as it is elegant, with descriptions that leave plenty of room for imagination.

An author to watch closely: Yves Girouard

Yves Girouard, the author of this fascinating book, is a true free spirit, passionate about writing. At just 19, he published his first collection of poetry with Cherche Midi Editions. This young emerging author didn’t stop there: at 20, he founded a journal dedicated to the arts... and sciences. Proving that the two fields are not as opposed as commonly believed. Yves also happens to be a successful entrepreneur, having founded several companies and even led a consulting firm until 2002. Meanwhile, he taught in both France and the United States, serving as an associate professor at the École Normale Supérieure de Cachan before joining Arts & Métiers ParisTech and the Institut Magellan... Quite the résumé!

In 2022, after selling his last company, he returned to his first passion, writing, devoting himself entirely to creating novels, plays, and poetry. His dream career is marked by a commitment to others, particularly through the foundation bearing his name, Yves Girouard. This foundation supports projects for public hospitals and students in need in remote areas. A man of many talents, Yves skillfully combines art, science, and a deep dedication to others...

So, what are you waiting for to dive into his epic, filled with unsettling truths?