« We Have Nothing to Envy in the World » turned into a video by Medi1, one of Morocco’s largest media outlet (English version)
Published by les éditions de l’Observatoire on August 20, 2025
Paperback edition to be released by J’ai Lu in autumn 2026
Selection by Jean-Giono Prize 2025
Selection of Place des libraires – 650 independent French bookstores
Favorite of more than 50 bookstores in France and Belgium
Selected for the #bookclub @prixbookstagram
Potential audience
A novel of multiple dimensions, that could reach:
- a female and male audience (love passion and political fresco)
- young adults (coming-of-age story)
- teachers and schools (a Shakespeare adaptation)
- amateurs of travel and Asia, in a context of growing global fascination for Korea, and the awarding of the Nobel Prize in literature.
Narrative Singularities
- Like the title of the novel, each chapter title is a North Korean slogan.
- The plot is structured in acts and reprises the main narrative milestones of Shakespeare’s play, adapted to the North Korean context.
- The use of the first-person plural narration, starting from the title, immerses the reader throughout the novel (“We have nothing to envy…”).
First readers’ feedback
Authors
“A very poetic and moving story, handled with great mastery. Impressive.” René de Ceccatty
“A must-read author of the 2025 literary season!” Gérard de Cortanze
“Very well executed. The unfolding of the tragedy is relentless. Bravo!” Eric Faye
Booksellers & Librarians
“We are tense, we cry, and it is magnificent,” Méline, bookseller at Doucet, Le Mans
“A stunning immersion,” “a poignant love story,” Aurélie Baudrier, bookseller at L’Insomnie, Décines-Charpieu
“A magnificent narrative that totally stands out in this literary season,” Laurine, bookseller at Le Chat Botté, Rixensart
“Heartbreaking!!” “A real favorite!” Maylis, bookseller at La Toute Petite Librairie, Paris
“A gem of this literary season, as original as it is well written,” Nathalie, bookseller at Mots en marge, La Garenne-Colombes
“A short novel, taut as a wire, delivered in simple, fluid and immersive prose,” Tome 7 bookstore, Paris
“A truly unique novel, both for the originality of its theme and the perspective chosen to approach it,” Aurélie Barlet, bookseller at La Pléiade, Cagnes-sur-Mer
“This novel moves and questions,” “A favorite!” Murielle, bookseller at Cajélice, Perpignan
“A magnificent romance, both moving and chilling!” Alexandre, bookseller at Port Maria, Quiberon
“An literary-season favorite!” D’1 Livre à l’autre bookstore, Les Sables-d’Olonne
“A short novel that’s very powerful and moving,” Encre Marine bookstore, Eu
“I totally approve — 100%,” “An atmospheric, immersive novel,” Menta bookstore, Ossès
“A beautiful story of love and resistance,” Alicia, bookseller at Cultura Montivilliers
“A very beautiful book,” Anne-Sophie, bookseller at Fnac Bourges
“A novel that won me over with its depiction of the absurdity and cruelty of the North Korean dictatorship — and all thanks to a moving story,” Christelle, bookseller at Un livre sur une étagère, Châteaubourg
“Superb!” David Goulois, bookseller at Cultura Chambray-les-Tours
“A novel as marvelous as it is chilling,” “that we want to read over and over again,” Kat, bookseller at Tome 5, Thionville
“A captivating and unforgettable read,” Florence, librarian at Gif-sur-Yvette
“A moving declaration of love and freedom that will strike you right in the heart,” Amy, bookseller at Cultura Beauvais.
“A superb and unexpected novel,” Au fil des mots bookstore, Blagnac
“A novel of rare intensity, necessary and profoundly human,” Pierre-Alexis, bookseller at Petites histoires entre amis, Chennevières-sur-Marne
“A singular little oddity,” “thrilling and staggering,” “beautiful and chilling!” Élise, bookseller at Beaux-Titres, Levallois-Perret.
“A gem!”, Thierry, bookseller at Au Bonheur des livres, Paris
“A magnificent novel — like a window onto an elusive country. Very moving!” Marine, bookseller at Cultura Sorgues bookstore
“With dystopian overtones, this text offers a disorienting plunge into the North Korean dictatorship and into the torments of a boy in the midst of adolescence,” Agathe, bookseller at Decitre Annecy bookstore
“Both a love story and a political epic, this disturbing book carries you to the heart of a dictatorship. Love and freedom against the regime! ” AB bookstore, Lunel.
“One of my biggest favorites of the literary season!” Glow, bookseller at Douce, Le Mans and at La Kube
“A powerful novel,” bookstore Une histoire sans faim, Saclas
“A unique journey,” bookstore La Procure Largeron, Reims.
“Wonderful, a real beautiful surprise,” Fabienne Boidot-Forget, bookseller at Le Bruit des mots, La Flèche.
“A precise, true pen that also knows how to be lyrical, full of euphemistic nuances,” “a novel I will carry with much pleasure and emphasis,” Blandine, bookseller at Gibert Saint-Michel, Paris
“A fabulous novel. A must-read!” Camille, bookseller at Une autre page, Croissy-sur-Seine
“I loved its power and its romanticism,” Sylvie Demichelis, bookseller at Fnac Nice
“An immersive and breathless fiction, [in writing] lively, cinematic and poetic,” Benoît Lacoste, bookseller at Aux feuilles volantes, Saint-Paul-lès-Dax
“Beyond the story, I really liked the author’s writing style. A very gripping book, with an excellent in media res!” Manon, bookseller at Place 26, Douvres-la-Délivrande
“A Romeo and Juliet of modern times under a dictatorial regime. I really liked it!”, Laura Baciocchi, bookseller at Decitre Chambery
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Anaïs, bookseller at Espace-Temps, Égly
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in the literary favorites of Les Petites Histoires bookstore, Chenevière-sur-Marne
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in the literary favorites of Le Domaine des murmures bookstore, Champagnole
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in the literary favorites of Lis tes ratures bookstore, Châtel-Guyon
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of La Bouilloire à livres boostore, Dunkerque
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Lamartine bookstore, Paris
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of L’Alinea bookstore, Martigues
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite Nanterre’s librarians
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Develay bookstore, Chalon-sur-Saône
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Des Yeux d’or bookstore, Montlouis-sur-Loire
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Page qui tourne bookstore, Verson
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Eyrolles bookstore, Paris
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Volte-Pages bookstore, Olivet
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of La Librairie bookstore, Gray
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of La librairie des Chartrons bookstore, Bordeaux
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of La Petite Marchande de prose bookstore, Sainte-Savine
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of Ama Libri reading club
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World featured in the literary highlights at the Tournez la page bookstore
Included in the literary selection of Place des libraires.
Included in the literary selection of Librairies Initiales.
Included in the literary selection of Librairies Sorcières.
Recommended by other booksellers:
- Laura Vitali, bookseller at Ars Una, Paris
- Audrey Dubreuil, bookseller at Ellipses, Toulouse
- Coralie Brunel, bookseller at Forum, Saint-Étienne
- Maryline Noël, bookseller at Le Comptoir, Santiago (Chile)
- Virginia Maussion, librarian at the Biscarrosse library
- …
Institutions
“2025 literary season: our 10 favorites!” Campus France
“An overview of what members of the Who’s Who are publishing,” Whoswho
The press talks about it
“One of the most original books of the literary season,” “very accomplished,” Sophie Aurenche, Laissez‑vous tenter, RTL
“With finesse, Nicolas Gaudemet depicts a totalitarian system in which life always finds cracks to slip through. Thanks to its impeccable dramatic progression, he keeps the reader on the edge of their seat.” Ilana Moryoussef, France Inter
“Gripping and tragic,” Nicolas Carreau, Europe 1
“A deeply moving love at first sight,” K‑Pop Superstars
“An impossible love redolent of Shakespeare,” Jean-François Cadet, L’Art de raconter le monde, Radio France Internationale
“This deeply humane narrative mirrors the full inhumanity of the dictatorship,” Gérald Papy, LeVif/L’Express
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World brought to life on video, Pierre Boussel, Book en Stock, Medi1
“A wholehearted voice — in short, a truly novelistic novel to start the year off right!”Thomas Perroud, Anachroniques, Fréquence Protestante
“A very skillful narration,” “a very powerful opening sequence,”, Dominique Guiou, La baraque aux livres, RCF Hauts-de-France
Romeo and Juliette in Pyongyang, Actualitté
A modern version of “Romeo and Juliet” in North Korea, due out at the end of August, interview with Marina Alcaraz, Les Échos
“The rich first selection for the 2025 Jean Giono Prize,” Le Figaro
“Jean Giono Prize 2025: 15 authors in the running for the first selection,” LivresHebdo
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in “Les perles de la rentrée”, cinq par cinq” Jean-Claude Vantroyen, Le Soir
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in the supplement special Literary Season, LivresHebdo
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of the Anna‑Marly media library, Saint‑Jean‑la‑Ruelle, La République du Centre
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World favorite of L’Est Eclair
Nicolas Gaudemet among the guests at the “Forêt des livres” hosted by Gonzague Saint Bris, Ici Touraine
“Powerful, devastating,” Jérôme Colombat, Citéradio
“This Romeo and Juliet in Pyongyang is a journey in itself,” Valérie Rodrigue, La Vie littéraire
Nicolas Gaudemet featured in the Observatoire’s Autumn Literary List, LivresHebdo
“A harrowing novel,” “Great inner strength,” interview with Audrey Sauvage, Litteravox
“A hymn to love, love in wartime,” Keulmadang.
“A beautiful stylistic mastery,” “a remarkable accuracy, combining modesty and the truth of adolescent feelings,” Myu-ri, Sous le ciel de Corée
KBS World Radio (broadcast in October)
Version Femina (October issue)
Influencers
“A book that really shook me,” “a standout of this literary season,” @la.nuit.sera.mots
“Wow, how I loved this book! Do you see Romeo and Juliet? Do you see the Montagues? Do you see the Capulets? Add a dictator, shake it up, and bam — you get We Have Nothing to Envy in the World,” Marine, @lepleindebouquin
“A supremely romantic love story with characters from another world,” T livres t art
“An expertly controlled structure,” “beautifully drawn characters,” Sandrine, @doudou_lit
“With talent and finesse, Nicolas Gaudemet depicts a dictatorial world straight out of 1984 and yet all too real,” “Thrilling, full of nuance and atmosphere,” Julien, @yulbartol
“An oppressive yet poetic atmosphere,” “great sensitivity and remarkable precision,”@lecteurenserie
“A very beautiful novel about the power of love in the face of oppression,” “a voice that will resonate with me for a long time,” Clémentine, @clementine.litteraire
“Beautiful and moving,” “a real concentrate of emotions,” Audrey, @lireevous
“Love as a weapon of resistance and freedom,” @lincipit
“The plot, between betrayal and hope, manipulation and courage, is devilishly immersive,”@chronique_peinture_livresque
“The writing is strikingly fluid, I was swept up from beginning to end,” “The passion between the characters moved me,” @a.laube.des.mots
“I rushed to discover it,” “a great find,” The Lovely Teacher
“Poignant”, “a very beautiful text,” Corinne, @quatriemedecouverture
“Superb, clandestine love story,” “a poignant read,” Céline, Mes Échappées livresques
“Fabulous story,” “I loved this short but powerful novel,” “A great success,”@babeth_ladreyt
“One of the most beautiful books of this literary season,” “I loved this transposition of Romeo and Juliet,” Adrien, @memoart_dadrien
“The cinematic writing and the frantic pace give this story a terrifying urgency,”@tarteauxlettre
“The writing is restrained, almost modest, which makes the emotions even more striking,”@voyage.au.bout.des.livres
“I really enjoyed this read which I devoured in one go,” @bookcatcher13
“A story full of restraint where every look, every gesture takes on immense importance,”@laliseuseinvisible
“A novel taut as a wire,” @angelique.thiery56
“An informative and very moving novel,” @jjlljj93
“Nicolas Gaudemet manages to instill an oppressive atmosphere while unfolding an implacable plot,” @loraine_epilogue
“Poignant and terribly distressing,” @livreplume
“A short novel, terrifying, unbearable and tragic,” @catherine_dussaut
“A short novel that’s very addictive from the start and an emotional ending,” @natallart
“It was one of the novels I was most looking forward to, and I wasn’t disappointed — it’s a real favorite,” lire_ecouter_voir
“You’ll appreciate the elegance of the writing,” @mesptitslus
“The story of Yoon Gi and Mi Ran is deeply moving and tragic,” @gaellemg.books
“A very beautiful love story,” @stephany27
“It’s a real crush,” Maarielpn @labibliothèquevivante
“You’re quickly drawn into this story and you absolutely want to know how it ends,”Amélie @labibliothèquevivante
“Superbly written: from act to act the novel builds crescendo!” Caroline @labibliothèquevivante
“You close the book feeling both outraged and moved,” Patmog6 @labibliothèquevivante
“I recommend reading this short and powerful title,” Agathe @agatheyourbook
“A powerful, humane and necessary read that made me both think and feel,”@steffie_entre_livres__et_jours
“An intense and necessary read,” @morganetleslivres
“An extraordinary love story,” @guillaume_broggio
“A chilling novel,” @leslivresdenath
“Intimate and deeply moving,” @lafeeliseuse
“One can highlight the author’s poetry, who in so few pages manages to immerse us,”Marie, Évasion Polar
“A revelation this literary season,” Patsy Monsoon
“I loved this Shakespeare in North Korea,” Madeleine, @le.nom.de.la.rose
“Read this book and see if my anger and my sadness are yours,” Sandrine, @leslecturesdecendre.s
“Devastating and… terrifying,” Emma, @montagnedelivres
“One cannot help but be moved by these adolescents who seek individual emancipation despite the prohibitions…” @julia_dcfox
“The writing is magnificent,” @alice_book_addict
“As moving as it is devastating,” @l.heure.du.livre
“An essential read,” @tutti_korea
“A poignant love story and a delightful surprise this literary season,” @entre.les.livres
“A singular and memorable novel,” “A gripping plunge into a real dystopia,” @nienna25
“Super interesting!” “A prose narration rhythmically punctuated by slogans and songs,”@voyagedefumiko
“Super interesting!” @lemondemioutou
“A beautiful, tragic novel,” Eva, Tu vas t’abîmer les yeux
“A very pleasant reading surprise,” Cédric, @cedrickarmen
“Superb novel. The story is very moving. Captivating!” Joe Sydenier-Freytag, @isatys.joe
“I devoured it!” Marion, @sorciere_bouquine
“Strikingly realistic. Bravo, it was daring.” Joalie Merten, @joalie.donc.jesuis
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World featured in LittlePrettyBooks’ fall selection
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World featured in MemoArt d’Adrien‘s fall selection
We Have Nothing to Envy in the World in Gustave and Rosalie’s Horoscope
Book signings
Currently being scheduled: La Bouilloire à livres, Dunkerque
Currently being scheduled: Les Mots éphémères, Rouen
Currently being scheduled: La Librairie, Gray
December 6-7, 2025: Boulogne Book Fair
November 29, 2025: charity sale at Sainte-Croix School, Neuilly
November 22-23, 2025: Var Book Festival in Toulon
November 15-16, 2025: Asnières Book Fair
November 5, 2025: Lübeck Litterary Bookclub, Paris
November 1st, 2025: Cultura Sorgues
October 11, 2025: Fnac Bourges
October 4, 2025: Culture Chambray-les-Tours
October 2, 2025: Au bonheur des livres, Paris
September 27-28, 2025: Books and vines at Château du Clos-de-Vougeot
September 23, 2025: Lamartine, Paris
September 20-21, 2025: Books in the Loop in Besançon
September 11, 2025: Volte-Pages, Olivet
August 31, 2025: The Forest of Books at Gonzague Saint Bris
The author’s word
“North Korea is increasingly making headlines in our media. South Korea has just won the Nobel Prize in Literature and fascinates the global youth with K-pop and K-dramas.
I visited both. By experiencing the North’s totalitarian oppression firsthand, I got the idea to transpose the most universal love story there: Romeo and Juliet.
We only have a distorted view of it, shaped by propaganda, nuclear threats from its leaders, and ever-increasing risks of conflagration.
Conversely, I wanted to give voice to unique perspectives: those of high school students and their families, telling their daily life in the North, and their perception of the West and South Korea.
Drawing on my own travel notes as much as on the accounts of defectors, inspired by love legends celebrated every year by millions of Koreans (as well as in Japan and China), I therefore wanted to open another window onto this mysterious, on this dangerous North. And rewrite on an unprecedented stage the endlessly replayed story of love.
These are the ingredients of this novel, to which I sought to bring both the singular and the universal, the poetic and the political: We Have Nothing to Envy in the World.”
Nicolas Gaudemet is a writer and a professional in media, culture, and technology.
His first novel The End of Idols (2019) was awarded the Jules-Renard Prize and adapted into an audio series.
To document We Have Nothing to Envy in the World, he went to North Korea.
Press reviews and criticism on nicolasgaudemet.fr
Biography on Wikipedia and Who’s Who