Lie With Me

Name: Lie With Me
Brand: Penguin Random House NZ
SKU: 9780241987094
Price: 24.0 NZD
Availability: InStock

Stunning and heart-gripping' André Aciman

By Philippe Besson

0.0 (0 reviews)

4.26

( 60,661 ratings, 11,603 reviews)

Summary

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson is a poignant love story about two teenage boys in the 1980s French countryside who experience a brief but all-consuming romance. Their relationship faces societal pressures and personal struggles, ultimately shaping their lives in unexpected ways.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Lie With Me

$24⁰⁰

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you enjoy poignant, beautifully written love stories set in the past, exploring themes of memory, loss, and the enduring impact of first love.

Description

Lie With Me by Philippe Besson is a breathtaking coming-of-age love story set in 1980s France, capturing the heart and soul of youthful passion. This evocative novel begins just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, where Philippe, now a famous writer, encounters a young man who uncannily resembles his first love. This encounter prompts a powerful journey back to Philippe's teenage years, specifically a winter morning in 1984 at a small French high school.

In a carefully orchestrated meeting, seventeen-year-old Philippe forms a bond with his classmate Thomas, and what starts as a tentative connection quickly blossoms into a secret, intensely passionate relationship. Their love affair is world-altering, deeply affecting both young men as they navigate the complexities of their emotions and societal expectations.

The narrative is dazzlingly brought to life in English by the acclaimed actor and writer Molly Ringwald, who delivers her first-ever translation with graceful precision. Besson's story, rendered through Ringwald's skilful prose, captures the ephemeral beauty of first love with an exquisite intensity that resonates deeply. The novel also poignantly explores the passage of time and the bittersweet nature of memories, making it a truly moving and unforgettable read.

Lie With Me is not just a romance but a profound reflection on identity, longing, and the indelible impact of one's first love. Philippe Besson’s storytelling is both tender and powerful, transporting readers to a time and place where love, though hidden, burns brightly. This is a novel that will stay with you long after the last page has been turned, leaving an indelible mark on your heart.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Lie With Me is praised as a beautiful and shattering novel that deeply explores themes of desire, shame, and the regrets that come with age. The story of a forbidden teenage love in 1980s France is tender, elegiac, and unforgettable, capturing the intensity of first love and the lingering sorrow of loss. Molly Ringwald's translation is lauded for its elegance and clarity, bringing to life Besson's poetic and evocative prose. It is often compared to Call Me By Your Name and Brokeback Mountain.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780241987094

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 05 September 2019

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Penguin Books Ltd

Contributors:

Translated by Molly Ringwald

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 9.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 133g

Pages: 160

Collections

2025 Best Sellers Best Sellers at Book Hero Best Selling Books Classic Fiction Fiction General Fiction In Stock Books In-Stock Fiction Books LGBTQ+ LGBTQ+ Romance Literary Fiction New Release Fiction New Zealand's Best Selling Books Penguin Books Philippe Besson

About the Author

Philippe Besson is the author of a number of award-winning novels and screenplays. The French edition of Lie With Me sold over 120,000 copies, was a no.1 bestseller, and won the prestigious Maison de la Presse prize. Molly Ringwald's writing has appeared in The New Yorker, The New York Times, The Guardian, and Vogue, and she is the author of the bestselling novel-in-stories When It Happens to You.

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