Noëlle Revaz

Hi, I'm Noëlle Revaz, and I write stories that dig into the messy, obsessive parts of human relationships that most people prefer to ignore. (Trust me, I've gotten plenty of raised eyebrows at dinner parties when I describe my work.)

Born and raised in Switzerland's Valais region, I grew up surrounded by dramatic Alpine landscapes that probably influenced my taste for emotional extremes in storytelling. I spent years teaching literature while secretly scribbling away at my own manuscripts, always drawn to the complicated dynamics between people who simultaneously attract and repel each other. Like many writers, I was told to "write something nice" or "give readers a happy ending." But I've never been very good at following rules.

My debut novel "Efina" (2014) explores the intense, almost toxic relationship between T., an aging actor clinging to past glory, and Efina, a young theatre enthusiast who becomes both his salvation and his torment. Through their obsessive letter-writing, I wanted to examine how love can be both a creative and destructive force. (And yes, some readers have asked if I based it on personal experience. I'll never tell.)

I'm fascinated by the theatrical nature of human relationships - how we perform for each other, the roles we play, the masks we wear. My characters aren't typically likeable in the conventional sense. They're complex, often difficult people who make questionable choices. But isn't that more interesting than perfect characters who always do the right thing?

When I'm not writing, I teach creative writing workshops in Geneva and contribute to various literary journals. I believe in writing that makes readers uncomfortable in the best way possible - the kind that forces you to examine your own capacity for obsession, desire, and self-deception.

My writing style? Let's call it unflinchingly honest with a dash of dark humor. I write in French (my native language), and I love how it allows me to play with the musicality of words while exploring psychological depths. Sometimes I think I write more for the questions than the answers.

If you're looking for neat, tidy stories where everything works out perfectly in the end, I'm probably not your author. But if you're interested in exploring the shadowy corners of human relationships, the way love can twist into obsession, and how we can be simultaneously drawn to and repelled by the same person - well, pull up a chair.

Fair warning: my books might make you question your own relationships, past and present. They might make you uncomfortable. They might even make you angry. But I promise they'll make you think.

(And for those wondering - yes, I do sometimes get concerned looks from my family when they read my work. No, I don't always tell them what I'm working on. And yes, I do take a slightly wicked pleasure in shocking them.)

Currently, I'm working on my next novel, which continues to explore the themes of obsession and complex relationships, but with a new twist. Because while I may write about dark topics, I'm always looking for new ways to shine a light on the human condition - even its most uncomfortable truths.

Want to join me in exploring the complicated, messy, fascinating world of human relationships? My books are waiting. Just don't expect to walk away unchanged.