Rhizosphere - Daniel Cordonier

This is the story of a friendship: Denis is a chef who creates exquisitely refined dishes thanks to a sensitivity he perfectly expresses through gastronomy. However, incapable of committing seriously to the women he meets, he accumulates fleeting affairs, oblivious to the suffering this kind of behavior can cause in his wake. His friend, Jérôme, is married and a father. He teaches philosophy and is passionate about the psychology of human relationships. Despite their differences, they have been very close since childhood, following a pivotal event that cemented their bond. It is also the story of a love: Denis is terrified of being abandoned because he hasn't...
Never quite recovered from the strange and sudden death of his mother when he was young, Denis, despite his seductive nature, seems destined for perpetual bachelorhood until the day he meets Carine, a mysterious young woman who touches him deeply, both physically and emotionally. But faced with the sensual magnetism that binds them, he begins to fear that her attraction to him is purely physical. Just as he finally manages to confess his feelings, his world comes crashing down. Above all, it's the story of a universal quest: Denis believes in the value of pleasure and longs to finally dare to love without restraint. Jérôme, on the other hand, prioritizes duty and has set himself the goal of writing a book entitled Rhizosphere, which aims to unveil the foundations of social behavior. Both strive to act justly according to their principles, but will be subjected to numerous temptations, betrayals, and manipulations. For it is through trials that we learn who we truly are. The mystery of self and other is at the center of this captivating novel which calls upon analysis as much as action, wisdom and eroticism.

Daniel Cordonier holds a doctorate in psychology. He directed a large career guidance office while also lecturing at the University. He has published a treatise on psychology, an essay with a preface by Albert Jacquard, "The Power of the Mirror," and three suspense novels exploring the human psyche, including "The Order of Women," which has been reprinted several times and translated into Czech.