French Leave
Anna Gavalda
Translated from the French by Alison Anderson
First published in 2009, and then again in 2011 by Europa (the edition that I bought)
108 pages
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This skinny little book is a fun read, especially if you’re into sibling dynamics. Not that I’m particularly into that (when your only sibling is male and 7 years older there can be a distinct lack of sibling dynamics (okay, not entirely true…there is a certain expectation of “you are old and I am not and I will never let you forget it” style birthday cards)), but sometimes it’s fun to read about how the other half lives, so to speak.
Simon, Garance (our narrator), and Lola are attending a family wedding. When Simon hears that little bro Vincent can’t make it, he cooks up a plot to ditch the wedding and drive off to spend time with Vincent. Since everyone is deadly bored (and fed up with Simon’s bitchy wife, Carine), they make their escape. And oh, how I wish we could have seen the look on Carine’s face when she found them all gone.
They find Vincent living in a castle (oops, pardonnez-moi…un chateau). He’s supposed to be the caretaker, but he’s acting as if he’s lord of the manor and giving tours on the side to earn some extra cash. Vincent’s tour guide shtick is my favorite scene from the book, especially when he begins telling his siblings about how he came up with his story:
“What? You mean the stuff I tell people? Oh…it’s not all bullshit. She really existed, this Isaure, it’s just that…Well, I can’t be sure she came through here…According to the archives, she’s actually from the dump down the road, but since their chateau burned down, down the road…We had to find her somewhere to live, no?” (pp. 72-73)
The siblings end up attending a wedding (oh, the irony), and then escaping that one, too, to have a rollicking good time together. When they are forced to part again the next day, Garance is both happy that she’s managed to re-connect with her brothers and sister, and sad that they will all return to their everyday lives.
This does sound like a really interesting little read, and one that you could probably hide away and enjoy when the real life sibling encounters of the holiday get to be too much for you! Great review on this one. I need to check it out!
zibilee´s last [type] ..The Personal History of Rachel Dupree by Ann Weisgarber — 336 pgs
I love sibling dynamics especially in books, so this sounds like a lot of fun. I’m looking for a modern book to read in the original French next year, so I might have to see if I can get ahold of a copy. In French.
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Sibling dynamics sounds so much better than what I call it in my house.
Ti´s last [type] ..Giveaway Winner: The Personal History of Rachel DuPree
This sounds good! I didn’t really call in sibling dynamics when I had to live with my two, but it is a good phrase.
Kailana´s last [type] ..Alice, I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
I’d pick it up simply because it’s set in France.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Sarah’s Key
That scene there is enough to make me want to read this. Funny stuff.
Trisha´s last [type] ..Book Review: The Icebound Land
Just ordered this one after reading Boston Bibliophile’s review. Sounds like a fun read – happy you liked it as well.
Wishing you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving!
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This sounds great! I really need to read more Europas.
JoAnn´s last [type] ..Tuesday Intro: The Buddha in the Attic
Sounds like a fun read in a great setting. I like sibling stories.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday 157
I find books about siblings fascinating. I have been interested in this one for awhile now.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Book Review: Delirium
Thanks for sharing this book. I will give it a shot as it seems interesting. I will be posting my thoughts once I finish reading a copy of this. I’ve been doing good with this new reading hobby of mine.
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