Review: "Bonjour Tristesse' by Françoise Sagan

It feels like ages since I've posted on here but long hours at uni on the computer hasn't afforded me much free time this week. I do have another book on the go and a few ideas to tie us over until then, though, so don't panic I will try to get a little more organised for next week. I refuse to let this blog fall by the wayside, I enjoy writing it too much.

Anyway, on to Bonjour Tristesse...

Sagan's debut novel was published when the author was just 18 years old and follows the story of young Cécile who, having just left boarding school for the holidays is spending time with her father, Raymond, on the French Rivera. The relationship between Cécile and her father is a close but shallow one. He influences Cécile's ideas about love and relationships, seeing love as nothing more than a transitory sensation that passes easily. However, when Raymond invites family friend Elsa to stay with them Cécile spirals out of control as she struggles to find meaning in the mixture of relationships she interacts with.

Bonjour Tristesse was very well known when it was first published in the 1950s and was said to shock readers with its immoral tale as well as the strong minded but confused Cécile. True, this is not a story about the enduring and all encompassing power of love but for an audience today it will not read as shocking. Rather it is an unusual, short tale with extremely beautiful language (though I read a translation, my French reading skills are not quite up to par) that is extremely enjoyable to read. 

The plot moves fairly quickly given the length of the story - it is a novella in length - but does not feel rushed. Rather, as Cécile's anger and frustration grows the story picks up pace, though subtly, in order to match the quick pace of her mind. Sagan conveys the tension in the story extremely well and her characterisation of the two female main characters is especially great. I really felt that I got a sense of who the characters in this story are and why they were acting the way they were which is rare and difficult in a story written in first person.

Did I mention the language? It is beautiful. For example, this is the opening line of the novella, 'A strange melancholy pervades me to which I hesitate to give the grave and beautiful name of sorrow'. That's it. I don't think that I have every read an opening line that sets the tone and theme of proceeding story as well as this. 

Overall, I really recommend this book to everyone. Especially if you like novels by F. Scott Fitzgerald or Jean Rhys. It is very much a 'modernist' novel so if that is your wheel-house and you haven't read it yet. Do it. You won't regret it. In fact, you might even start reading it from the beginning again as soon as you finish it...

First Published: 1954 in French, 1955 in English
Published By: Rene Julliard in French, John Murray in English. My version, pictured above, by Penguin

Rating: 5/5
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Have you read any Sagan? If so, what did you think? Also, the cover of the above edition is ridiculously cool, isn't it?
xo

*this post was not sponsored. image is not mine, sourced from here.

My Current Wishlist

I went to my favourite bookshop yesterday and a few books caught my eye. Now, I was really good and didn't by any but I though that I would put them together here in the form of a wishlist. Below is a mix of new releases, classics, fiction and non-fiction.

Sarah Waters, The Paying Guests

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W.G. Sebald, The Emigrants

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Book Depository (above version unavailable)

Jane Rawson, A Wrong Turn at the Office of Unmade Lists

 

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Book Depository (Currently unavailable)

Jean-Michel Guenassia, The Incorrigible Optimists Club

Goodreads (English unavailable)
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Susan Conley, Paris Was the Place

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Book Depository (this is the edition that I came across and is different from the picture)

Alain de Botton, The News: A User's Manual

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Alain de Botton, Religion for Atheists

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What's currently on your wishlist? Let me know!
 xo

*this post was not sponsored. None of the above images are mine, links to their source on the surname of the authors.
 
 
 
 

Currently Reading/ A Preview of Coming Attractions

O.k., so posting this week has been particularly crap. I have just gotten insanely busy with uni work and can barely fit all my course work into a day, let alone have time to post on here. So, in lieu of a proper post, here is the book that I am reading at the moment - probably the next book that I will review. Isn't the cover just beautiful!

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Hope that you're having a less stressful week than I am!
xo

*This post was not sponsored. Photo is not mine, sourced from here.

Review: "Home" by Toni Morrison

Home is a story that follows Korean War veteran Frank Money as he journeys back to his home town in Georgia to rescue his younger sister who has been medically abused. In other words, its a novel of sunshine and light *sarcasm*.

Morrison specialises in novels which explore the intersections of race, history, violence and family and these are themes that she brings up in "Home". Although it is a novel that will make you doubt the kindness of the human race what is good about Morrison is that in her novels there are always little rays of hope to be found, if you search hard enough for them.

"Home" is not really a plot driven novel. It is more of an introspective look at the lives of both Frank and his sister Cee. The movement of the characters in their journey is slow but the reader really does get a clear and deep sense of who these characters are which is something that I really appreciate in a book that is as character driven as "Home". The basic structure of the book are chapters of 'action' or plot movement broken up by chapters of 'memory' which are usually no longer than two pages. I understand why the novel is structured in this way but I did get frustrated when reading the novel because of it. Sometimes it felt a bit like the structure created a distance between me and the novel, which stopped me from fully immersing myself into the story and the characters. It was like I would get drawn into the story in the 'story' chapters and then distanced in the 'memory' parts. Other than that, I really enjoyed the novel and it really made me appreciate the skill and deftness that Morrison displays in her work. The story is sad and in places horrific, but the language is beautiful and poetic. One example, from the first chapter, "I only remembered the horses. They were so beautiful. So brutal. And they stood like men". I know, you don't have any context for that quote but the poetry and imagery of it is incredibly poignant and stunning.

Have any of you read "Home"? What did you think of it? Also, if you would like a little 'author spotlight' on Morrison to give an overview of some of her other novels that I have read, let me know.

Rating: 4/5

First Published: 2012
Published By: Initially by Alfred A. Knopf. My version (pictured above) by Chatto and Windus

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*This post was not sponsored. Image sourced from here.

In the Mood for: Downton Abbey

The latest series is just around the corner (wee!!) and if you're like me then you may be in the mood to do some Downton-esque reading to get you through the next couple of weeks. In honour of that, I've put together a list of some books that match the subject/glamour/tone of Downton, just for you! (Also, re-watching the last Christmas special - where the above photo is from - also works...how good was that episode?! Royalty! Scandal! Dresses! Jewellery! A ball!).

So, without further ado....

The Bolter, Frances Osborne (Virago, 2008)

The Bolter is a non-fiction biography of Idina Sackville a scandalous woman who was famous for being a founding member of the 'Happy Valley' crew in Kenya in the 1920s.  Although the 'famous' part of Idina's story does not start until the 1920s the book starts covering her life in Edwardian England. This book is really well written and researched. It also includes photos of Idina and her family. Also, there is scandal. And murder.

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That Woman, Anne Sebba (Phoenix, 2012)

Another biography, this time about Wallis Simpson. Who was Wallis Simpson, you ask? Why just some scarlet, American, divorced women who fell in love with Edward VIII (and who also may or may not have been a Nazi sympathiser. Probably not though? Depends on who you ask). Anyway, this love affair between the two of them was so frowned upon that Edward abdicated the throne so that he could marry her. He also showered her with jewels. Seeba's biography of Wallis Simpson is more comprehensive that you would expect, given the size of the book and it not only covers her life but also the public perceptions of her and rumours that circulated about her. It also includes photos. 

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The Luxe, Anna Godbersen (Penguin, 2008)

The Luxe  is the first novel in a young adult series that follows the lives of the young and wealthy in New York c.1899. Its like Gossip Girl mixed with Downton Abbey and it's addictive. Although the story-lines are fairly predictable (though the last book in the series does keep you on your toes) the book really is a pleasure to read. I would recommend this if you don't have the time or attention to get into something too deep at the moment but want something with a few twists and turns, some dashing young men, and some dang-good descriptions of ball scenes. 

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The House of Mirth, Edith Wharton (Virago, this ed. 2008)

What can I say about this? It's a classic. If you have always wanted to read it but were unsure about whether you could get into it or not (it was first published in 1905) I can tell you that it is a fairly easy read. The narrative is fairly event driven which also makes it easier. If you've been looking for an excuse to read or re-read it, here it is. 

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Z: A Novel of Zelda Fitzgerald, Therese Anne Fowler, (Two Roads, 2013)

A fictional account of Zelda Fitzgerald's life and her marriage to F. Scott Fitzgerald. This is told from the perspective of Zelda and as such it provides you with some (fictional) insights into her world. I would say the tone of this novel is different than what I expected. I bought this thinking it would be more of a beach read, with some drama and tension (if you know Zelda's story you know what I mean) but this is actually pretty engrossing, heavy and sad.

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To Marry an English Lord, Gail MacColl and Carol McD. Wallace (Workman, 2012)

This is probably my favourite book on this list. It is a non-fiction book about the turn of the century when young American heiresses travelled to England in order to marry into a title. It doesn't sound like the most interesting book in the world, I know, and all my guy friends made fun of me for reading it but it really is fascinating. The book is packed-full of information, the pages are set out beautifully and more than one famous name pops up. It would also be a great gift for a Downton fan in your life. Apparently Julian Fellowes is developing a new show around this time period and honestly, I couldn't be more excited.

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My Last Duchess, Daisy Goodwin (Headline Review, 2010)

Consider this the fictional version of To Marry an English Lord. If you like the sound of the above book but aren't really sure about the non-fiction format then I have you covered. My Last Duchess follows Cora Cash, a young American heiress who travels with her mother to England in order to secure a husband with a title. There is a good nugget of a mystery in this novel which stops it being too much of a typical historical romance (though, to be honest that's really all you get out of this book). Cora, is a pretty likeable character, though sometimes you cringe reading what shes doing because it seems quite short-sighted and naive. Honestly, though it's nothing that you can't live with. Her mother and the mother of her moody (think Rochester) love interest are really great characters who pop off the page more than the younger-folks do. I haven't read Goodwin's newer novel The Fortune Hunter but if you're interested that might be worth a read too.

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Book Depository (my version unavailable - alternate cover here)

Do you have any Downton type novels that you would recommend? Let me know!!

See you lovelies later,
xo

*photo is not mine. Sourced from here
**this post is not sponsored. All photos, unless otherwise stated, are my own - do not use them without permission (also, I know that picture above is not the best; I was under time constraints and unfortunately could not use natural light)

Review: "Is it Just Me?" by Miranda Hart

This book is a non-fiction, comedy format in which Miranda Hart contemplates life's awkward moments while directly addressing both the reader and her teenage self. Each chapter deals with a different aspect of 'adult life' which has the propensity to end in hilarious disaster. For example: music, jobs, weddings (and many others). Along the way you get some great anecdotes as well as some cheeky life lessons that may help you take adult life a little less seriously.

Confession time: I love Miranda Hart. I love her a lot. I love her so much that when I'm feeling poorly or grumpy, or I have the 'mean reds' as Holly Golightly would call them, I re-watch old episodes of her t.v. show. I have seen every episode many, many times and I still find them hilariously funny and they still perk me up and make my soul happy.

Another confession? I hate these non-fiction comedy books. I really do. I give them a go and they just always seem so forced and artificial and, well boring. One of the great things about comedy is the delivery and personality of the person performing and I just don't think that books are the best format to deliver comedy in an anecdotal way. And I'm just going to say it. I hated Ellen DeGeneres' Seriously...I'm Kidding. I tried, I really did. It didn't work.

I was, as you can imagine, rather dubious about reading this (hence why it has taken me so long). I love Miranda so much I really didn't want to hate this and so I refused to read it until recently. And you know what? I didn't hate it. I mean, I didn't love it. It took me a fair few months to get through, reading a chapter here and there (I also find it really hard to stick to a book when there's no narrative/ plot pushing me forwards). I think what helped this is that a lot of what is written in this book is similar to what is in her television show. There are jokes in common, words that you (if you are familiar with her show) would recognise. I think that the shining light in this wee book is Hart's ability to capture her 'own' voice. You read the book in her voice, with her cadence and that makes it funnier. Better. On that same train of thought, I would like to say that the audio book which is read by Hart herself is really great - I think it makes the material better. If you are like me and unsure about these kinds of books then I would recommend you go the audio route. In fact, I would recommend the audio book to anyone (maybe even above the actual book).

Rating: 3/5

First Published: October 2012

Published By: Hodder and Stoughton

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*this post was not sponsored. Image is not mine - sourced from here.