Where awesome book readers meet awesome writers. In this exclusive conversation, we meet Pascal Bouquillard, the author of Eden, a thought-provoking dystopian novel that examines humanity’s obsession with power, money, and systems of control. Bouquillard’s work blends philosophy, political theory, and storytelling to challenge how we perceive freedom and democracy in the modern age.
About Pascal Bouquillard
Pascal Bouquillard describes his journey into writing as an act of necessity rather than inspiration. He didn’t set out to become an author; he wrote Eden because he needed to process the overwhelming ideas he had absorbed over years of observation and study.
“Writing Eden was a way to make sense of everything,” he explains. “I’ve always loved dystopian fiction because it allows us to push human systems to their breaking points and see what remains.”
The novel began with a startling realization about money how this invention that shapes nearly every part of our lives is, in essence, created out of nothing. That discovery unsettled him so deeply that it became the seed of his book.
The Inspiration Behind Eden
At its core, Eden is a reflection on how societies evolve, and how, despite progress, humanity often rebuilds the same hierarchies it once tried to escape. Bouquillard traces this pattern back to the late 18th century, when revolutions in America and France overthrew monarchies in favor of self-governance.
Yet, as he notes, people didn’t achieve true autonomy. Instead of self-rule, citizens handed power to representatives a model that, while effective in its time, still concentrated decision-making in the hands of a few.
“The moment we delegate our decisions, corruption begins,” Bouquillard says. “It’s not about left or right. Those labels are distractions that keep us arguing inside a system we no longer control.”
Eden takes this idea to its extreme, imagining a society that mirrors our world’s flaws but exposes them more clearly. The book challenges readers to consider whether democracy, as we practice it today, is truly democratic or whether it’s time to evolve into something more direct and participatory.
Writing Habits and Creative Process
Pascal’s creative process is as unusual as his ideas. He writes primarily while swimming. “Three times a week, I swim for nearly an hour,” he explains. “With a mask and snorkel, I can disconnect completely. The rhythm of the water helps me think. By the time I finish, the next part of the story has already taken shape.”
He later transfers those thoughts to the page, often surprised when his characters take the narrative in unexpected directions. “Sometimes they simply refuse to do what I had planned,” he laughs. “That’s when I know the story is alive.”
Literary and Cinematic Influences
Bouquillard’s influences span literature and film. He credits George Orwell (1984), Aldous Huxley (Brave New World), Cormac McCarthy (The Road), P. D. James (Children of Men), and Andrew Neiderman (The Devil’s Advocate) for shaping his literary vision.
In cinema, directors like Ridley Scott (Blade Runner), Terry Gilliam (Brazil), and Richard Fleischer (Soylent Green) provided the visual and thematic energy that inspired his storytelling style.
What He’s Working on Now
After completing Eden, Bouquillard spent several years revising and refining it while also volunteering on a project to design procedures for a truly democratic assembly. The experience proved transformative, showing him that direct democracy is not only possible but practical.
Building on that foundation, he wrote a companion work titled Towards an Atomic Democracy, a guide exploring how direct democracy could function in both American and French political systems. The guide is available for readers who wish to go deeper into the ideas introduced in Eden, and it can be downloaded on his official website at edenxx84.com.
Bouquillard continues to refine the guide, hoping to collaborate with others who share his vision. “A real democracy must be built collectively,” he insists. “No one can design it alone.”
His Advice to Writers
When asked for advice to aspiring authors, Pascal’s answer is refreshingly simple: “Write.”
He believes in action over perfection. “The world doesn’t need more hesitant thinkers,” he says. “It needs voices willing to speak, even imperfectly.”
The Best Advice He Ever Heard
“The best advice?” he smiles. “If you believe pigs can fly, very soon pigs will fly.”
For Bouquillard, this saying reflects the power of belief and imagination. Ideas may seem impossible until someone dares to make them real.
Current Reads
Pascal is currently reading The Battle of Social Security – A History of Health Care in France by Nicolas Da Silva. The book’s exploration of social policy aligns with his ongoing interest in systems of governance and collective well-being.
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Bouquillard hopes Eden remains a work of fiction rather than prophecy. “It’s a cry of desperation,” he says. “I want to believe there’s still time for us to build something better.”
Books He Would Take to a Desert Island
When asked which books he’d bring to a deserted island, Pascal chooses works that mirror his curiosity and philosophical nature:
- Ishmael by Daniel Quinn
- Friday, or the Other Island by Michel Tournier
- The Island by Robert Merle
Each book, he says, explores isolation, purpose, and what it means to be human themes central to his own writing.
Connect with Pascal Bouquillard
- Website: Pascal Bouquillard Official Site
- Amazon Author Page: Pascal Bouquillard on Amazon
- Goodreads Profile: Goodreads Author Page
Pascal Bouquillard invites readers to challenge the systems they take for granted. Through Eden, he reminds us that questioning power is not rebellion it’s the first step toward understanding what freedom truly means.
