I remember the time, not long time back, when Annie Ernaux was virtually unknown in the English speaking world. Though she was well known in France and her works were acclaimed, outside her French readership, she was virtually unknown. For a long time, the only review of Annie Ernaux that I had seen on the internet was this one by Caroline from ‘Beauty is a Sleeping Cat’. It was a review of Ernaux’ ‘A Woman’s Story‘.
This is surprising, because Ernaux has been translated into English for a while now. The earliest translation of her work appeared in English in the early ’90s (I think it was ‘La Place‘ which was translated into English as ‘A Man’s Place‘ and came out in 1990), and the translations of her books were favourably reviewed. But still, she was virtually unknown. A small indie publisher called Seven Stories Press published Ernaux’ books in English and kept the flame burning for years. Translator Tanya Leslie did all the initial translations and kept the fire burning. Then Ernaux’ memoir ‘The Years‘ was translated into English in 2017, it was shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize, and suddenly everyone was reading it, and at the grand old age of 80, after being around in the literary arena for a long, long time, Annie Ernaux suddenly became an international literary star.
These days Ernaux’ books are published by both Seven Stories Press and by Fitzcarraldo Editions in English. The two editions look very different β the Seven Stories edition has a beautiful picture on the cover, it is bigger, the pages have lots of surround spacing while the Fitzcarraldo edition has the standard white cover and look-and-feel that Fitzcarraldo editions have. I love both the editions, but I’ll always have a soft corner for the Seven Stories edition for keeping the Annie Ernaux flame burning across the years and decades. You can see both the editions in the picture below.
Annie Ernaux is odd for a writer. While most writers work in a particular area and publish a memoir or two, Ernaux writes only memoirs. After her initial foray into fiction at the beginning of her career, she moved away and opted to write only memoirs. I counted atleast eighteen of them. There is no one like her. The closest I can think of is Diana Athill, who wrote multiple volumes of memoirs.
I am happy that Annie Ernaux is famous these days and has become a literary star. Her fame is well deserved. But one part of me also feels sad because she was a closely guarded secret by some of us old fans, for a long time, but now the secret of her greatness is out in the open.
I wrote this post for ‘Reading Independent Publishers Month‘ hosted by Kaggsy from Kaggsy’s Bookish Ramblings and Lizzy from Lizzy’s Literary Life, an event which celebrates indie publishers for the whole of February. I also wanted to write a fan’s love letter to Annie Ernaux.
Have you read Annie Ernaux’ books? Which is your favourite book of hers?
This is lovely, Vishy. And I understand your mixed feelings about the cat being let out of the bag!
Glad you liked it, Lizzy π Thanks so much for hosting Independent Publishers Reading Month with Kaggsy π
Thank you so much for mentioning my post. I canβt seem to remember a time when I didnβt know of her. I was just thinking recently that Iβd like to read her again. Lovely tribute. It is sad sometimes when suddenly everyone reads a secret author. I felt like that with Modiano. Heβs always been there for me but suddenly heβs discovered by everyone as if he just started writing.
Thanks for introducing Annie Ernaux to many of us, Caroline π Glad you liked the post. I remember the time when you were the only person I knew who had read Modiano π His books weren’t even easily available in English. I can understand how you felt when suddenly everyone was reading his books.
I love these love letters you post from time to time, Vishy! I’ve never read Annie Ernaux, but you make me want to start. Do you have any recommendation of a particular book to start with, or are they all good?
Thank you, Andrew π Glad you like them. Hope you get to read Annie Ernaux’ books and like them. Most of her books are slim at less than a hundred pages. I think ‘The Years’ is her longest book at around 200 pages. They are all good and you can start from anywhere. Hope you enjoy reading them. Happy reading!
Good to know, Vishy! I’ll have a browse and see which one I like the sound of.
Thank you for sharing your love of Annie Ernaux, Vishy. I know how it feels to have a special author you want to keep to yourself – but I *am* selfishly glad she’s now better known because I might not have stumbled across her otherwise!
Glad you liked it, Kaggsy π Yes, I’m happy that more readers are reading her work now. But still π Thanks so much for hosting Indie publishers month with Lizzy! Loving it so far!
she writes such personal and touching books
Yes, very true, Stu. Glad you like her books too.
Wonderful review, Vishy! I havenβt read her yet. So I am glad she is no longer a secret. π But I do understand your sense of loss. ~ Jayshree
Glad you liked the post, Jayshree π Hope you get to read Ernaux’ works and like them. I think they’ll read even better in French. Happy reading!
It seems like Annie Ernaux and her readers in English have had the best of both worlds, a period of being little known and a secret gem of avid readers who like to go down rabbit homes to reads that the mainstream hasn’t heard of, and then in her latter years, she becomes something of a sensation as it is realised that her voice is something that a wider audience might also enjoy and who would begrudge that of an 80 year old artist.
I feel for those discovered once they have passed like Marlen Haushofer, whose The Wall became a sensation 15 years after her death, then translated into 18 languages.
Love the fan letter Vishy and also the loyalty to the first publisher. I haven’t read Annie Ernaux yet, she’s one of those writer’s I hesitate with, knowing I ought to read her in French, an author I will easily find in my local library.
Loved what you said about having the best of both the worlds, Claire π So nice to know that Marlen Haushofer has been translated into 18 languages. I hope you get to read Annie Ernaux’ books and like them. Reading her in French is a great idea! Will look forward to hearing your thoughts, whenever you get to read her work. Happy reading!
Vishy, quite often, when I think about the way my reading has shaped up, I try to think of how it all started with your recommendations and blogs, and I thank you in my head for introducing me to a world of new authors, and kind bloggers. Whenever I open your blog, there is a new author waiting to let me into their worlds. Annie Ernaux is new to me, and I will look forward to reading your thoughts about her books.
Thank you for your kind words, Deepika π It is always wonderful to compare notes with you and discuss books with you. Annie Ernaux is so wonderful. She picks one theme and writes a book about it in the context of her life. She mostly writes slim books β most of her books are less than a hundred pages long and the longest ones are around two hundred pages β and so her books are very accessible. I hope you enjoy reading her books. Will look forward to hearing your thoughts. Happy reading!
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