The plot of this short novel is not why you should read it. There are many variations in fiction of the "bored housewife has affair" type, but not many that are as poignant and well-observed as this. I was full of admiration for Irene Nemirovsky's insight into obsessive love and self-absorption, and her clever portrayal of the two main characters, Denise and Yves. I have asked my partner to read the book, too, as I would love to have the male point of view, particularly of Yves' feelings and attitudes as they are described here. It seems to me to sum up the quotation: "Man's love is of man's life a thing apart, 'Tis woman's whole existence." Nemirovsky has a talent for finding the right description of some very subtle emotions. She was young herself when she wrote this book and it shows; she makes us feel the passion and selfishness of a love affair wrought up to high intensity. Sandra Smith has done a superb job, in my humble opinion, of the translation.

Yves was a young man who was used to a wealthy lifestyle, but now found himself broke and impoverished. Whilst enjoying the summer sunshine upon a beach in Hendaye, his thoughts were interrupted by the voice of a young mother calling to her child. So began a friendship with the beautiful Denise, wife of Jessaint. The couple are very wealthy and their lifestyle reminds Yves of how his life used to be. But he is smitten with Denise, and they begin a love affair. The book was first published in the 1920’s, and was then compared to Madame Bovary, as it explored the thoughts and feelings of a doomed love affair, and the perils of an extra-marital affair. It is a thoughtful novel, full of depth and feelings of hopelessness, as both Yves and Denise struggle with their relationship, and the futility of their future together. This book echoes the passion of a young couple and could be set in any era. I was amazed to read that the author was killed in Auschwitz in 1942; such a waste of a brilliant young writer.

While it is possible to see some strengths in the subject matter of this book, it is also fairly clear that this is the work of a relatively undeveloped writer. Irene Nemirovsky writes with some insight into the complexity of relationships and the ambivalence which can exist in the combination of neediness and rejection. However, the milieu of the post World War 1 environment in France is treated rather superficially and the language/dialogue is rather romanticised.