The 2024 literary season in France is brimming with powerful female voices, showcasing a diverse range of talents. From rising stars like Gabriella Zalapì to the legacy of Sarah Kofman, Vogue highlights some of the most captivating reads this autumn.
In “La Mer Intérieure,” Lucie Taïeb transports readers to Cottbus, a former East German town, where a sand quarry is being transformed into an artificial lake for watersports. This poignant story explores how urban planning, intertwined with politics, shapes everyday life. Taïeb’s evocative prose, blending poetry with documentary style, examines the impact of capitalism on post-war Europe and the emotional burden of a mother facing serious illness. This debut novel is a promising addition to the “Terra Incognita” collection, a Flammarion initiative dedicated to uncovering both familiar and uncharted territories.
Sarah Kofman, a renowned philosopher and scholar of Nietzsche and Freud, left behind a powerful legacy of writing. “Rue Ordener, rue Labat” recounts her childhood, marked by the tragic disappearance of her father, a rabbi, during the 1942 Nazi roundup. The re-edition of this book is accompanied by “Autobiogravures,” a collection of intimate fragments that delve into her relationship with psychoanalysis, literature, and the Holocaust. Kofman’s elegant, clear prose, devoid of pathos, leaves a lasting impression, highlighting her importance as a French writer.
Louise Chennevière, known for novels like “Comme la chienne” and “Mausolée,” embraces the controversial figure of Britney Spears in her latest work. This powerful ode to the pop icon explores the damaging effects of hypersexualization and misogyny, drawing parallels to the tragic story of Nelly Arcan, a French author who faced public scorn for her autofiction work detailing her experiences as a sex worker. Chennevière’s narrative is both a vibrant tribute and a poignant commentary on societal pressures.
Gabriella Zalapì’s latest offering, “Ilaria,” once again draws inspiration from her own family history. The novel follows the eight-year-old protagonist as she navigates a challenging situation: her father, unable to cope with his separation from his wife, abducts Ilaria and takes her on a whirlwind journey through 1980s Italy. Zalapì masterfully captures the intensity of this situation, conveying the complex emotions of a child caught between love and fear.
Nina Léger’s “Mémoires sauvées de l’eau” explores the discovery of a gold mine in California in 1948 and the subsequent establishment of Oroville, a town built on greed and the brutal exploitation of Indigenous people. The story unfolds through the eyes of Thea, a geologist who, in 2020, amidst devastating wildfires, seeks to understand her own origins. This captivating tale weaves together epistolary elements and lyrical prose, highlighting the enduring impact of history and the search for personal truth.
In “Reprendre corps,” Déborah Costes shares a deeply personal account of her struggles with health problems and financial hardship. Driven to the brink of despair, she finds herself turning to camgirling for survival. With honesty and vulnerability, Costes examines the complexities of her experience, challenging the hypocrisy and judgment surrounding this profession. Her powerful narrative serves as a reminder to embrace our own truths and fight against societal pressures.
