In the early evening of 12 November 2015, a convoy of three cars departed from Charleroi, Belgium, making their way to a rented house located in the northern suburbs of Paris a few hours later. The occupants of these vehicles, ominously referred to as “the death convoy,” were a group of Islamic State terrorists preparing to unleash chaos upon the French capital the following night. As part of the horrific onslaught, three of the attackers targeted the Stade de France, where a high-stakes football friendly match between France and Germany was underway. Arriving late and unable to gain access to the stadium, they instead detonated their explosive devices outside, causing untold casualties.
Simultaneously, another faction of the terrorists began a shocking assault on crowded cafes and bars in the city center, firing indiscriminately into the throngs of unsuspecting patrons. While two perpetrators managed to flee the scene, another individual walked into a bustling restaurant and detonated his suicide vest, sending shockwaves of panic through the area. The remaining trio infiltrated the Bataclan theatre, where approximately 1,500 individuals were enjoying a performance by the US rock band Eagles of Death Metal. The harrowing attack unfolded over the course of two and a half hours, culminating in a siege that left all three assailants dead. In total, 130 innocent lives were brutally taken, and hundreds more were left injured, marking the event as one of Europe’s deadliest terrorist attacks.
Fast forward five years to the autumn of 2020, when acclaimed author Emmanuel Carrère found himself on the brink of releasing a new book titled Yoga, and grappling with personal turmoil stemming from mental illness, a divorce, and ongoing legal disputes. In search of a compelling subject matter for his writing, Carrère, known for his transition from fiction to true crime and unconventional biographies, reached out to an editor at the well-respected news magazine Le Nouvel Obs in hopes of contributing. He expressed his preference for projects centered on fieldwork over opinion pieces, suggesting a keen interest in covering a criminal case.
Ultimately, the editors at Le Nouvel Obs selected not just any criminal case but the monumental trial surrounding the horrific Paris terror attacks of 13 November 2015, an unprecedented event in French judicial history. This trial was set to span nine months, with the testimonies of the plaintiffs taking a staggering five weeks to complete. The scale of the proceedings was remarkable, involving 1,800 plaintiffs, a legal dossier comprised of 542 volumes that would stand an awe-inspiring 53 meters tall if stacked, 20 defendants, and a legal army of nearly 400 magistrates and lawyers, all convening in a €7 million purpose-built courtroom that covered 650 square meters within the historic Palais de Justice.
It is hard to read these accounts of the terrible rhythm of death
Carrère’s mandate was clear: he was to attend the trial, observe its proceedings, and produce a weekly written account. The resulting book, translated from French by John Lambert, is a testament to this endeavor. Carrère previously captivated readers with his account of a small claims court in his 2009 work, Other Lives But Mine. The dramatic essence of the V13 trial presented a different yet profound challenge—not merely to engage the reader but to navigate and elucidate the complex and often contradictory testimonies of the defense. The skill with which he weaves these narratives is masterful, crafting a web of riveting storylines. Will Salah Abdeslam, the sole surviving assailant, decide to break his silence and take the stand? Why did Mohamed Abrini withdraw from the attack during the fateful drive to Paris, and why did he fail to detonate himself during an attempted bombing at Brussels airport four months later? What transpired with Sonia, who courageously alerted authorities about the location of Abdelhamid Abaaoud, the mastermind behind the attacks, mere days after the horror unfolded? And will the three defendants not in custody, one of whom rent a garden shed from an elderly woman for €600 a month, face justice for their ties to terrorism?
The first section of Carrère’s book primarily focuses on the heart-wrenching testimonies from the plaintiffs, with a significant number stemming from survivors of the Bataclan ordeal. The visceral accounts of loss and terror recounted during the trial are harrowing—one victim described their experience through a mantra of agony: “A shout a shot, a sob a shot, a ringtone a shot”—reflecting the chaos and panic of the night. Another account details the grotesque image of one of the attackers unleashing a “confetti of human flesh” upon the innocent audience when he detonated his explosive device on stage. Carrère also sheds light on the tragic story of the 131st victim, a young man who succumbed to despair and took his own life two years after surviving the Bataclan assault. These disturbing narratives weave a grim tapestry of violence that is profoundly challenging to digest.
Yet amidst this dark backdrop, Carrère illuminates moments of human kindness and resilience, paying attention to poignant details. The plaintiffs displayed colored ribbons as symbols of their willingness to engage (green) or reluctance (red) with journalists, with some individuals wearing both in a state of uncertainty. During particularly impactful testimonies, the sound of rapid keyboard typing would erupt from the press benches, capturing the grave importance of the moment. Early in the proceedings, aided by a lawyer’s tip-off, Carrère ventured into a small basement courtroom to witness the trial of another infamous terrorist, Carlos the Jackal, who was appealing his sentence for a violent 1974 pharmacy attack in Paris.
As Carrère narrates his experience within the V13 courtroom, portraying it as a “unique encounter of horror, pity, proximity, and presence,” it becomes an utterly compelling read. However, the narrative may stumble in delivering concrete answers about the motivations and justifications of the attackers. At one point, Carrère reflects on an “astonishing sentence” spoken by Abdeslam at the trial’s onset: “Everything you say about us jihadists is like reading the last page of a book. What you should do is read the book from the start.” This insightful reflection lingers in Carrère’s mind as he contemplates the expectations from the trial. Despite the terrorists positioning their violent actions as reprisals for France’s military involvement in the Middle East, Carrère grapples with the distinction between political grievances and the horrific choices made by these young men—or in Abrini’s case, his cowardly choice to abstain from violence.
In the end, justice prevails; sentences are handed down, and some plaintiffs, along with the families of the victims, begin to find a measure of closure. However, despite Carrère’s attempts to mentally transport himself to the smoke-filled confines of Les Béguines, the Molenbeek cafe where the attackers viewed gruesome IS propaganda videos, he ultimately falls short of gaining deep insights into their motivations or the fateful choices that led to such brutality.
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The problem is perhaps one of form: a weekly magazine column isn’t an ideal medium for deep insight, and even if these pieces have been edited, shaped, and expanded for the book, this is still fundamentally a collection of reports. There is also the matter of the raw material. Carrère may disagree with Manuel Valls, the French Prime Minister during the attacks, who posited that attempting to understand the terrorists’ motivations could be construed as justification for their actions. However, while he initially anticipated that their testimonies might captivate, they ultimately reveal a “poor mystery: an abysmal void wrapped in lies, which one regrets with stunned amazement having spent so much time thinking about at all.”
V13: Chronicle of a Trial by Emmanuel Carrère, translated by John Lambert, is published by Vintage (£20). To support the Guardian and the Observer order your copy at guardianbookshop.com. Delivery charges may apply.
**Interview with Emmanuel Carrère: Unraveling the Paris Terror Attacks Through V13**
*Editor*: Thank you for joining us, Emmanuel. Your new book delves into the harrowing events surrounding the Paris terror attacks of November 2015, specifically the monumental V13 trial. What compelled you to write about this particular event and trial?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: Thank you for having me. The Paris attacks were one of the most tragic and significant events in modern Europe. I felt a deep responsibility to capture the voices of those affected and document the proceedings of a trial that reflected so much suffering and loss. Beyond the numbers and news reports, there are real lives impacted, and I aimed to honor those stories.
*Editor*: You describe the trial as unprecedented in French judicial history. Can you tell us about the scale of the proceedings and what made it so unique?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: Absolutely. The trial lasted for nine months and involved 1,800 plaintiffs, which is extraordinary. The legal documentation was extensive, and it all took place in a purpose-built courtroom that truly underscored the gravity of the situation. The trial wasn’t just about legal proceedings; it was a space where deep trauma was aired, and the resilience of the human spirit was tested.
*Editor*: The testimonies from survivors are often described as harrowing. How did you navigate through such painful narratives while writing?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: It was incredibly challenging. Many accounts were filled with anguish and horror, and as a writer, you need to approach these stories with sensitivity. I wanted to portray the emotional weight of these experiences without sensationalizing them. There were moments of both gut-wrenching pain and profound human kindness interwoven within the chaos, which I hope to convey in the book.
*Editor*: You mention a haunting quote from Salah Abdeslam during the trial, where he suggests looking at the “book from the start.” How does this perspective shape your understanding of the attackers?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: That quote stayed with me. It highlights the need to understand the complex motivations behind these actions, which are rooted in both personal and socio-political realms. While it doesn’t excuse their violence, it offers a context that prompts us to ask harder questions about how we address such grievances. The challenge is to look beyond the final, horrific act and to grapple with the many factors leading up to it.
*Editor*: Your book also sheds light on moments of solidarity and resilience amidst the trauma. How important was it to highlight these elements in your narrative?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: It was crucial. Amidst despair, the human capacity for kindness and connection can shine through. Small gestures of solidarity, like the colored ribbons the plaintiffs wore, infused a sense of collective healing amidst the pain. By capturing both darkness and light, I hoped to paint a more holistic picture of humanity in the face of incomprehensible violence.
*Editor*: What do you hope readers take away from your account of the V13 trial and the events that unfolded that night in Paris?
*Emmanuel Carrère*: I hope readers gain a deeper understanding of the lasting impact of violence and the importance of recognizing the victims’ suffering. I also want to challenge them to reflect on the societal and political contexts of such acts of terror, and ultimately, to recognize the resilience that can rise from tragedy. It’s a call for awareness and empathy in a world that often feels divided.
*Editor*: Thank you for sharing your insights, Emmanuel. Your work helps us confront these difficult topics with compassion and understanding.
*Emmanuel Carrère*: Thank you for the thoughtful conversation. It’s essential that we keep these stories alive.
