I have a new review up on Shiny New Books today which I’d like to share with you, and it’s of a fascinating and moving novella which has recently surfaced from an author who’s been something of an idol of mine for much of my life – Simone de Beauvoir.
Beauvoir is of course probably best known for her “The Second Sex” and her series of memoirs, but I absolutely love her fiction too. “The Inseparables” was never published in Beauvoir’s lifetime, but it tells the story of a pivotal friendship in her life, one she also revisited in “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter”. The novella makes wonderful reading, and this edition is enhanced with some lovely additional material. Do pop over and have a look at my review – it’s here! 😀
Oct 07, 2021 @ 11:37:04
Looking forward to reading this one. I remember being so impressed by She Came to Stay.
Oct 07, 2021 @ 16:06:39
I love her fiction, but it’s been quite a while since I read any of it – so this was a real treat!
Oct 07, 2021 @ 19:50:25
Thanks! Just left a comment at your review
Oct 07, 2021 @ 20:16:20
Ta – will pop over! 😀
Oct 07, 2021 @ 21:09:21
A lovely review over at SNB, a fascinating novel for its social history value as well as its literary. Still haven’t read any of her writing, sadly—I’ve got a lot of catching up to do!
Oct 08, 2021 @ 19:55:05
Thank you! 😀 She’s worth exploring if you can – a marvellous writer!
Oct 07, 2021 @ 21:26:20
I keep meaning to read Second Sex but the size of it is so intimidating. A novella is clearly what I need!
Oct 08, 2021 @ 19:54:43
Yes, some of her books *are* chunky – “The Mandarins” has generous proportions but is excellent. This one might be good for November, tho…
Oct 07, 2021 @ 21:48:39
Another great Shiny review. I have never read De Beauvoir which feels wrong. This might be a good place to start.
Oct 08, 2021 @ 19:54:02
Thanks Ali. It’s an excellent book and I do recommend her fiction.
Oct 08, 2021 @ 04:39:58
This went on the TBR as soon as news of its publication came out and it’s lovely to have your thoughts on it. And Sartre’s dismissal of it makes me even more eager to read it😏
Oct 08, 2021 @ 19:53:38
Same here – any previously unpublished Beauvoir is a must for me. As for Sartre – what a twit…
Oct 09, 2021 @ 16:55:23
Indeed, his views on the Soviet Union drive me right round the bend and those on women!😱
Oct 09, 2021 @ 17:09:07
Don’t. Just don’t…. 😦
Oct 08, 2021 @ 15:48:56
And what a suitable cover: distinct, yet intimate.
Oct 08, 2021 @ 19:53:03
Very much so!
Oct 09, 2021 @ 08:59:39
A fascinating review as ever, Karen. To my great shame, I’ve never read anything by de Beauvoir, but I’m really interested in this (not least because of the involvement of Deborah Levy, whose work I love). Could this be read as a standalone entry point into SdB’s work, or would I miss some of the novel’s subtleties without an understanding of The Second Sex?
Oct 09, 2021 @ 11:52:55
Thanks Jacqui! I certainly don’t think you need to have read The Second Sex to read any of her fiction. TSS is a mammoth look at the situation of women over the centuries and although it’s decades since I read it, I suspect some elements might have dated – although it was groundbreaking. I haven’t read her fictions for some time, but always rated “The Blood of Others” and “The Mandarins” very highly. Certainly “The Inseparables” would work well as a standalone in my view, because there is plenty of background material in the volume, plus of course Levy’s foreword – I think Atwood provided the introduction for the US edition. I’d also recommend her series of autobiographies if you’re in for the long haul, as the first volume “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter” does deal with the real events which inform this novella. Will look forward to your thoughts on “The Inseparables” if you read – I think it would be a good way into her world!
Oct 09, 2021 @ 12:01:52
Thanks, Karen, for such a thorough response, that’s very helpful indeed…although it does mean another addition to the wishlist. 😉
Oct 09, 2021 @ 12:44:56
No worries Jacqui – sorry to add to the wishlist, but I do recommend her! ;D
Dec 31, 2021 @ 07:02:00
May 22, 2023 @ 07:01:16