'L'impassible armada' (rough translation: The heartless armada, or in this case, the "cold" armada) is a novella that was previously published in the collection [book:L'importance de ton regard|17973464]. Éditions 1115, speicalised in compact, pocket-sized publications, decided to republish it in an improved version. One of the other short stories, 'LÎle close', was previously republished in the SF-anthology Utopiales 2017 (see my review here).

In 'L'Impassible armada', a story told from a first person perspective and focusing on only a few characters (the main one and his closest companions), a fleet is sailing up north, caught in the thick ice of the arctic region. Its mariners haven't seen any sunlight for a long time and this has its consequences. A lack of natural light, vitamin D, etc. is detrimental to one's health, mentally and physically. Not to mention the harsh conditions up north and not always having the right and healthy nutrition, which in turn has its effects as well.

However, that's not the only problem: there are pirates and the icy sea, or rather, ocean, has a vile way of "freezing" the sailors'/mariners' minds. Failure to resist the call can lead to sad, depressing consequences. Not to mention that these "frozen" men - they're all men, no women in sight - end up expressing themselves in a cold, harsh way about their comrades. As is said from a drunk person telling the truth, so it is with the "cold" mariners before they decide to meet their doom (They jump over the ship's rails, into the cold, dark water to end their suffering.).

Strangely enough, not everyone is touched by the ocean's call, or maybe some have the mental stability to withstand the call. Adding to the fleet's misery is the threat of pirates, who seem to have imprisoned/caught an important lady. And we all know when several men (of low/ordinary descent, it must be added) fight for the same woman (of high descent; contrast is key here)..., as Mr Davoust inserted with a wink. Despite the misery, the desired result doesn't turn out as desired, or at least not entirely.

The situation is so bad on one ship that the chaplain had to take over command, by his own decision, of course. But ultimately, a new leader had to be chosen, despite the group having been largely decimated. Who else but the main character, the so-called prier?

Now, what makes this version "improved", as I mentioned above? This newest edition contains handwritten notes/letters, dated (like in a diary; maybe they are diary entries, indeed) to indicate how long these mariners have been sailing up north. The cursive writing isn't always easily readable, I found, but that's one of the downsides of handwritten text. On the other hand, it gives the story that lively touch, not in the least when the more letters there are, the more ink stains and the more corrections each letter contains, as yes, in the end, something's got to give.

To round off, this is another recommended story by Lionel Davoust. Yes, even if it's not his best and has a few flaws. This is also one of his oldest stories, if I'm not mistaken, and the past few years, the man has really improved his writing. I'll join a few other readers who wrote (elsewhere on the WWW) that the story asks for more filling to turn it into a more complete/elaborate story. The various names (characters, ships, ...) are just there, but what's the real context here for those mariners sailing up north, waging war with pirates, ...?

Then again, maybe this story's purpose was philosophical/sociological/anthropological? How people (and mainly men, though perhaps the same can be said about women) behave when deprived of every comfort and living in each other's pockets (so to speak; what's the proper idiom/expression here?).

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Previously read:

* Le plateau des chimères (here)
* Une forme de démence (here and here)
* L'Île close (here)
* Les Questions dangereues (here)
* Port d'âmes (here)
* Contes hybrides (here)

To be read:

* La route de la conquête et autres récits (same world as 'Port d'âmes') ( )