Absolutely love Durga Chew-Bose's Too Much and Not the Mood! Such an incredible collection of essays. So tender, especially her words on being a daughter! Highly recommend. Looking forward to read The Wilderness–would read anything Ayşegül Savaş writes!
I used to teach Bonjour Tristesse to 17/18 year olds. It is a book which appeals to them (my sell was fast cars and sex in the south of France) but the longer I taught it and the more times I reread it the more I thought what an amazing piece of writing it is. When I read it at about the same age I thought the central character had behaved badly and let events get out of her control but I think with modern eyes it’s valid to question the behaviour of the adults around her. My question to my students was: whose fault is this? As a teacher (and a parent) I think it has things to say about how we treat young people and how our behaviour affects them. And it includes some excellent scenes of nature interacting with, reflecting and impacting on the story. (Desperately trying to avoid spoilers!)
Funnily enough it never occurred to me that my own (grown up) daughter would enjoy it. But she does have rather a jaundiced view of my enthusiasm for French literature! Too many holiday visits to French bookshops- she’s probably scarred for life! I might get her to the film…
Oh, I love this note. It was such an atmospheric book. It is absolutely no coincidence that it’s been so beloved by film lovers. I love the question … whose fault IS it?!… And as I think about it, I want to say… grief’s?!
Wait: Kitamura actually said it was a trilogy in an interview?!? I thought I made that up. Mindfuck is right— I felt like I was losing it reading that one. I skipped over your notes about The Safekeep because I just bought that one, but I did see the word *fun* so I am extra excited now. And I love how you read Lacey’s book— I did not quite know what to do with the surreal fiction piece, but what you say here seems just right to me. I am touched and happy for how you experienced the Savas memoir— I also just downloaded that story collection from Edelweiss this week and I am itching to get to it. What a month you had and thanks for sharing your thoughts in such a delightful, gossipy way.
I listened to so many interviews with her after I read the book, and they were helpful … but that’s just talking about the work and not the work. I think the concept here got a little bit out of sync with the execution.
Yes, I think she sailed out to the middle of the lake and slid off the boat. But still love her somehow, and look forward to her starting off again from a new shore…
Me too!! She's my style icon, my family make fun of me for it 😄 funny story: I recently took a photo of her haircut on my phone to a new hairdresser who looked at it and at me and said "this is you?!?" 😆 I wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or in disbelief!!
Ouhhh I’m so excited about The Wilderness! I’m so glad it spoke to you and rendered something close to your experience well. Reading it must feel like finally scratching an itch you haven’t been able to forever.
She is such a KIND writer to me. Like, she would be the person who would walk into a room or a situation and discover everything that is GOOD about it. I feel that on a sentence level she is definitely of her time, I think there are other writers who write in her spare, unfussy way. But her underlying tone is completely unique. I think you would really like her.
Savaş spotted!! I had no idea she has a story collection coming out this summer– something to look forward to, even though I still have a few of hers to read; congrats on completionism!! Also thrilled to hear your takes on the Kitamura and Lacey (and the rest!!)
I love Durga Chew-Bose's Too Much and Not the Mood, and looking forward to her take on Bonjour Tristesse. I think you would like her collection!
I'm very much looking forward to Catherine Lacey's Memoir slash Fiction book... I've read quite a few of Jesse Ball's books, including the memoir "Autoportrait" he wrote while living with Lacey, and well, I could kind of tell he's probably not the best partner? Haha, can't wait for her insight on things that I only guessed at.
I read Bonjour Tristesse this month and loved it because it felt nostalgic to me and painted a portrait of days spent in Southern France, which I adore, but I could see how it might read too young for many! I was excited for the movie, but was sadly let down, although the visuals were gorgeous.
Oh, noooo! I will still watch it... but... bummer. Why didn't it work for you? My husband and I were just recently talking about Sofia Coppola's movies and how probably most of them could have been a music video... I was wondering if Bonjour Tristesse would feel similar.
Haha you did not scare me - I only admired Mobius unleashing your truly obsessive nature! Frankly it was useful that between us, one of us felt compelled enough to dig that little bit deeper behind the fake names! I really enjoyed reading your reflections of the book, specifically the line about being unsure what to do with all this humanness that is being shared - YES!!!! What do I do as a reader and an admirer of your work with all this insight into your mind, your fallibility and flawed nature (which we all have - but with an author I think it is easy to pretend they specifically don't). Lacey is boldly generous with what she shares with the world in Mobius - almost shockingly so! But my mind keeps coming back to a quote I paraphrased in my own review that Lacey took from a french philosopher that basically said there is no such thing as a private life because there are thousands of other people also experiencing the same thing - aka we are not special, and neither is Lacey, even tho her writing IS.
This is also the second endorsement of Nova Scotia that I have read and very much enjoyed - when it is out in paperback, I think I will have to pick it up!
Beautifully written! I really love the ideas you’re exploring here about intimacy and our ability to fully know another person.
I just finished Kitamura last night and I really enjoyed it - there are so many small moments of big truth in there - but was also kind of put off by the shift. I went back and skimmed the first half to see if I was missing something that would help explain it and did not feel like there was anything. I both liked it and was annoyed by it.
I haven’t! The only other one I’ve read is Intimacies. I may have to check Separation out, too! But now, for something completely different (and yet in some ways perhaps not??) Middlemarch 😆
A close friend of mine just put The Safekeep on my radar because she wants someone to discuss it with. I can't wait to read it now because of your review. I'm wondering if I'll catch the twist.
Let me know what you think after you are finished! Also, I am very curious if you will find it as cinematic as I did. I would love to watch a film based on it.
A random thought; your descriptions of adiche reminds me of the way I disliked Buchi Emecheta. It was a very specific voice that seemed didactic and intrusive. But I wonder if there is some deliberateness to the voice and tone you describe, like a reference or homage to?
I haven't read any of these titles but I have to say I am glad to read that someone disliked Nightbitch. I am not a mother at all but I think I'm a pretty decent reader and I cannot understand why everyone raved about this book 😭
Absolutely love Durga Chew-Bose's Too Much and Not the Mood! Such an incredible collection of essays. So tender, especially her words on being a daughter! Highly recommend. Looking forward to read The Wilderness–would read anything Ayşegül Savaş writes!
Thank you so much, just the little push I needed.
I used to teach Bonjour Tristesse to 17/18 year olds. It is a book which appeals to them (my sell was fast cars and sex in the south of France) but the longer I taught it and the more times I reread it the more I thought what an amazing piece of writing it is. When I read it at about the same age I thought the central character had behaved badly and let events get out of her control but I think with modern eyes it’s valid to question the behaviour of the adults around her. My question to my students was: whose fault is this? As a teacher (and a parent) I think it has things to say about how we treat young people and how our behaviour affects them. And it includes some excellent scenes of nature interacting with, reflecting and impacting on the story. (Desperately trying to avoid spoilers!)
Me too, Judith! I only discovered it a couple of summers ago and fell in love with it, buying a copy for my daughter.
Funnily enough it never occurred to me that my own (grown up) daughter would enjoy it. But she does have rather a jaundiced view of my enthusiasm for French literature! Too many holiday visits to French bookshops- she’s probably scarred for life! I might get her to the film…
Oh, I love this note. It was such an atmospheric book. It is absolutely no coincidence that it’s been so beloved by film lovers. I love the question … whose fault IS it?!… And as I think about it, I want to say… grief’s?!
Wait: Kitamura actually said it was a trilogy in an interview?!? I thought I made that up. Mindfuck is right— I felt like I was losing it reading that one. I skipped over your notes about The Safekeep because I just bought that one, but I did see the word *fun* so I am extra excited now. And I love how you read Lacey’s book— I did not quite know what to do with the surreal fiction piece, but what you say here seems just right to me. I am touched and happy for how you experienced the Savas memoir— I also just downloaded that story collection from Edelweiss this week and I am itching to get to it. What a month you had and thanks for sharing your thoughts in such a delightful, gossipy way.
I listened to so many interviews with her after I read the book, and they were helpful … but that’s just talking about the work and not the work. I think the concept here got a little bit out of sync with the execution.
Yes, I think she sailed out to the middle of the lake and slid off the boat. But still love her somehow, and look forward to her starting off again from a new shore…
Same. I loved reading it.
I love Bonjour Tristesse! (And I am older than you... 😉) though not sure about this new film- Jean Seberg in the role will always have my heart ♥️
Ha! I didn’t NOT like it! 🤣🤣🤣 I haven’t watched the French film either but Jean Seberg and her perfect short hair is forever on my Pinterest boards!
Me too!! She's my style icon, my family make fun of me for it 😄 funny story: I recently took a photo of her haircut on my phone to a new hairdresser who looked at it and at me and said "this is you?!?" 😆 I wasn't sure whether it was a compliment or in disbelief!!
We take it as a compliment!!! 🥰🥰🥰
❤️
Ouhhh I’m so excited about The Wilderness! I’m so glad it spoke to you and rendered something close to your experience well. Reading it must feel like finally scratching an itch you haven’t been able to forever.
Really need to get my hands on the new Lacey!
She is such a KIND writer to me. Like, she would be the person who would walk into a room or a situation and discover everything that is GOOD about it. I feel that on a sentence level she is definitely of her time, I think there are other writers who write in her spare, unfussy way. But her underlying tone is completely unique. I think you would really like her.
And this one book, especially.
Okay I am plopping her to the top of my priorities list!! This recommendation is the kind I live for 🩷
Savaş spotted!! I had no idea she has a story collection coming out this summer– something to look forward to, even though I still have a few of hers to read; congrats on completionism!! Also thrilled to hear your takes on the Kitamura and Lacey (and the rest!!)
When I saw your post yesterday, I was like… well, well, well…. 🤣🤣
Issue 124: Superb
THANK YOU!!!
I love Durga Chew-Bose's Too Much and Not the Mood, and looking forward to her take on Bonjour Tristesse. I think you would like her collection!
I'm very much looking forward to Catherine Lacey's Memoir slash Fiction book... I've read quite a few of Jesse Ball's books, including the memoir "Autoportrait" he wrote while living with Lacey, and well, I could kind of tell he's probably not the best partner? Haha, can't wait for her insight on things that I only guessed at.
Ha! If he's single, he is not getting a partner after this one. 🫣
Have you read Lacey's fiction already?
Treasure 💎💕📚💕💎
Thank you so much for your note, Ibrahim!
I read Bonjour Tristesse this month and loved it because it felt nostalgic to me and painted a portrait of days spent in Southern France, which I adore, but I could see how it might read too young for many! I was excited for the movie, but was sadly let down, although the visuals were gorgeous.
Oh, noooo! I will still watch it... but... bummer. Why didn't it work for you? My husband and I were just recently talking about Sofia Coppola's movies and how probably most of them could have been a music video... I was wondering if Bonjour Tristesse would feel similar.
Haha you did not scare me - I only admired Mobius unleashing your truly obsessive nature! Frankly it was useful that between us, one of us felt compelled enough to dig that little bit deeper behind the fake names! I really enjoyed reading your reflections of the book, specifically the line about being unsure what to do with all this humanness that is being shared - YES!!!! What do I do as a reader and an admirer of your work with all this insight into your mind, your fallibility and flawed nature (which we all have - but with an author I think it is easy to pretend they specifically don't). Lacey is boldly generous with what she shares with the world in Mobius - almost shockingly so! But my mind keeps coming back to a quote I paraphrased in my own review that Lacey took from a french philosopher that basically said there is no such thing as a private life because there are thousands of other people also experiencing the same thing - aka we are not special, and neither is Lacey, even tho her writing IS.
This is also the second endorsement of Nova Scotia that I have read and very much enjoyed - when it is out in paperback, I think I will have to pick it up!
Beautifully written! I really love the ideas you’re exploring here about intimacy and our ability to fully know another person.
I just finished Kitamura last night and I really enjoyed it - there are so many small moments of big truth in there - but was also kind of put off by the shift. I went back and skimmed the first half to see if I was missing something that would help explain it and did not feel like there was anything. I both liked it and was annoyed by it.
Both liked it and felt annoyed is very similar to how I experienced it. Of the books I've read by her, Separation is my favorite. Have you read it?
I haven’t! The only other one I’ve read is Intimacies. I may have to check Separation out, too! But now, for something completely different (and yet in some ways perhaps not??) Middlemarch 😆
😆😆😆
A close friend of mine just put The Safekeep on my radar because she wants someone to discuss it with. I can't wait to read it now because of your review. I'm wondering if I'll catch the twist.
Let me know what you think after you are finished! Also, I am very curious if you will find it as cinematic as I did. I would love to watch a film based on it.
A random thought; your descriptions of adiche reminds me of the way I disliked Buchi Emecheta. It was a very specific voice that seemed didactic and intrusive. But I wonder if there is some deliberateness to the voice and tone you describe, like a reference or homage to?
I haven't read any of these titles but I have to say I am glad to read that someone disliked Nightbitch. I am not a mother at all but I think I'm a pretty decent reader and I cannot understand why everyone raved about this book 😭
Favourite books of 2025:
January - Você Nunca Mais Vai Ficar Sozinha (You'll Never Be Alone Again) by Tati Bernardi
February - didn't read anything
March - The Other Mothers by Katherine Faulkner
April - Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
May - O Vício dos Livros (Book Addiction) by Afonso Cruz