The sleepless nights of Amélie Nothomb #
Her seemingly endless productivity is not due to a surplus of time, but rather a severe lack of sleep. The Belgian novelist, renowned for her works such as ‘Stupeurs et tremblements’ and ‘Psychopompe’, has been battling insomnia for as long as she can remember.
During a recent interview on France Inter, Nothomb described herself as an « insomniac of the highest degree », painting a vivid picture of her struggle. « I am a being who dramatically lacks sleep. It’s a real problem. My bed does not allow me to sleep, » she revealed.
Seeking solace in the silver screen #
Over the years, Nothomb has found unique ways to cope with her condition. Interestingly, one of her remedies is going to the cinema. She admits that the better the movie, the quicker she falls asleep. « How many times have I fallen asleep in front of authentic masterpieces? » she said, adding a caveat that some films are simply too enthralling to induce slumber.
Despite her struggle, Nothomb has never allowed her condition to interfere with her love for the arts. It’s a testament to her indomitable spirit and a reminder that even in the face of adversity, one can find solace and inspiration.
Unveiling the roots of her insomnia #
Nothomb is no stranger to talking about her insomnia. In fact, she has been candid about the severity of her condition, describing it as « dramatically insomniac » in an interview with Psychologie Magazine in 2018. She believes her insomnia worsened after a traumatic sexual assault she experienced at the age of twelve in Bangladesh.
In an interview with Le Monde, she briefly touched upon the incident, stating, « I was sexually assaulted by four men. I don’t want to dwell on this event that I had to overcome. Let’s just say that my 12th year was a turning point. » Nothomb also advises those struggling with sleep to « have very boring thoughts » as a technique to induce sleep.
- The Belgian author has been battling insomnia for years
- She often falls asleep in cinemas, especially during good movies
- Nothomb believes her insomnia worsened after a traumatic event in her childhood
Tableau récapitulatif : #
| 😴 Insomnia | Nothomb describes herself as an « insomniac of the highest degree » |
| 🎥 Cinema | Nothomb finds solace in falling asleep during movies |
| 👧 Childhood trauma | Nothomb believes a traumatic event in her childhood worsened her insomnia |
FAQ:
- Who is Amélie Nothomb?Amélie Nothomb is a renowned Belgian author known for her works such as ‘Stupeurs et tremblements’ and ‘Psychopompe.’
- What is her struggle with insomnia?Nothomb describes herself as an « insomniac of the highest degree » and believes her insomnia worsened after a traumatic event in her childhood.
- How does she cope with her insomnia?Nothomb often falls asleep in cinemas, especially during good movies. She also suggests having « very boring thoughts » to induce sleep.
- Has her insomnia affected her writing?Despite her struggle, Nothomb’s insomnia has not interfered with her literary productivity. In fact, it might have contributed to her prolific output.
- What advice does she have for fellow insomniacs?Nothomb suggests having « very boring thoughts » as a technique to induce sleep and encourages fellow insomniacs to seek professional help if their sleep problems persist.
