A poet and a novelist living in the same neighbourhood, with similar discernment and mutual admiration binding them, forged profuse correspondence and a long friendship.

Alice Rivaz and Jean-Georges Lossier had both embarked on their literary careers alongside their professional commitments when, towards the end of the war, they began their epistolary dialogue. With allusions to the financial difficulties linked to the post-war period, they drew close to one another through a particular character in their novels or the melody of a particular verse. Geneva and its suburbs formed their Map of Tendre, where feelings were expressed prudently and discreetly; creating their work was a sacred mission, bringing them together and then releasing them. Two characters opened up and discovered one another, resonating in tune for several months before reclaiming their freedom. Their loyal and enriching mutual esteem and understanding gave rise to two outstanding oeuvres.