Thursday 9 July 2015

Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile by Francoise Sagan


I originally picked up this book for one reason, and it wasn't because the author is French. It is because Sagan has been described as the French F Scott Fitzgerald. Now, whilst I am not a fan of this sort of comparison, I was intrigued. 

The book is divided into two stories: Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile. The first story concerns a girl who lives a life of fun with her father, until one Summer, when he decides to remarry. The girl then launches a plot to stop the marriage, and have her life of fun with her father return. The second story concerns a young Parisian girl who embarks on a two week affair with a married man in Cannes, who, upon their return to Paris, tells her that he does not love her. 

Both stories are told in a way that can only be told by the French, with their free thinking on matters of a sexual nature, and both novels capture the spirit of the Parisians perfectly. The fact that Sagan was only 18 when she wrote the first, and 21 when she wrote the second, shows her true talent in writing. I loved this book, and would definitely read both stories again.

Nic
xx

3 comments:

  1. I've never even heard of this, but I've just added it to my list of books that I need to read, thanks! :)

    Beka. xo
    littleworldofbeka

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  2. I love this book so much! If you can read French I suggest reading it in the original text because it's just even more beautiful!

    Hollie // hollieinwanderlust.co.uk

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  3. love the front cover, so curious to know more about the book. will defo get my hands on this

    www.bumascloset.com

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