Title: D’après une histoire vraie
Author: Delphine de Vigan
First published August 26, 2015
479 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9782709648523 (ISBN10: 2709648520)
Rating: 3.92
Overview
“Ce livre est le témoignage de ma rencontre avec L. Une rencontre qui a bouleversé ma vie d’écrivain.
L. est une personne qui hante les nuits de tout écrivain, une personne que l’on ne devrait jamais croiser.
Dans ce roman captivant à la frontière du thriller psychologique, Delphine de Vigan joue avec la frontière floue entre réalité et fiction. Ce livre nous plonge également dans une époque obsédée par l’authenticité et le Vrai.”
About the Author
Meet Delphine de Vigan, a celebrated French novelist with many adult novels under her belt. She first gained recognition for her novel No et moi (No and Me), which won the prestigious Prix des Libraires (The Booksellers’ Prize) in France in 2008.
Her 2011 novel, Rien ne s’oppose a la nuit (Nothing holds back the night), tackles the sensitive topic of a family struggling to cope with their mother’s bipolar disorder. The book was met with critical acclaim in France, earning Vigan multiple awards, including the prize from the Fnac bookstore and another prize from the French Academy.
Editoral Review
Delphine de Vigan, an award-winning French author, delivers a chilling and thought-provoking work in her novel, D’après une histoire vraie. The book, first published on August 26, 2015, delves into the psychological workings of a literary figure, intertwining fiction with reality in a poignant and whimsical way.
The story centres around a middle-aged writer who has just published a bestseller, and subsequently, becomes emotionally drained and vulnerable. Soon after, she meets an enigmatic woman who calls herself L, with whom she develops an intense friendship.
As L infiltrates the author’s life, her presence starts to mirror that of the protagonist in the writer’s upcoming novel. The lines between fact and fiction blur until the protagonist is left to question her sanity and whether her new friend is a real person or a figment of her imagination.
De Vigan’s writing style is exquisite and fluid, with beautiful prose that draws the reader in from the first page. The plot is masterfully crafted, with suspenseful twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the very end.
The novel’s themes are complex and multi-layered, touching upon issues such as mental health, the creative process, and the blurred lines between reality and fiction.
The characters are well-developed and relatable, making it easy for readers to connect with them on an emotional level.
The protagonist’s descent into emotional instability is depicted in a poignant and heartbreaking manner, while L’s character exudes an air of mystery and intrigue that leaves readers mesmerised.
The book may be particularly significant to the French cultural context, as it touches on the French literary scene’s psychology and culture.
Despite this, the novel can appeal to a broader audience and explore universal themes that resonate with readers worldwide. D’après une histoire vraie may have limitations in terms of pacing, as some readers may consider the plot to be slow at certain points.
However, this is a minor flaw, and it does not detract from the overall quality of the book. Overall, D’après une histoire vraie is a beautifully crafted and thought-provoking novel that explores complex themes with exceptional skill.
Delphine de Vigan’s writing style is exquisite, and her characters are captivating, while the plot is engaging and suspenseful. Readers who enjoy contemporary literary fiction and psychological dramas will undoubtedly enjoy this book.
I recommend D’après une histoire vraie to readers who enjoy thought-provoking and deeply emotional books that explore complex themes in a sophisticated manner. This book is a must-read for literature lovers who appreciate beautifully written prose and masterful storytelling.
I give this book a rating of 4.5 out of 5, based on its exceptional quality of writing and storytelling.