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Shame – WINNER OF THE 2022 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE

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( 13,348 ratings, 1,680 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Annie Ernaux's Shame is a reflective and poignant memoir where she recounts a traumatic incident from her childhood that shaped her life. Ernaux explores themes of memory, identity, and societal expectations with a deep and introspective narrative, capturing the essence of personal and collective history. This work exemplifies her award-winning literary finesse.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$2799
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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?

You might enjoy this book if you appreciate deeply personal and introspective memoirs that explore themes of family, identity, and the impact of childhood experiences. Annie Ernaux's writing is powerful and evocative, offering keen insights into the human condition.

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Shame – WINNER OF THE 2022 NOBEL PRIZE IN LITERATURE

‘My father tried to kill my mother one Sunday in June, in the early afternoon.’ Thus begins Shame, the probing story of the twelve-year-old girl who will become Annie Ernaux, and the traumatic memory that will echo and resonate throughout her life.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
Shame by Annie Ernaux, the winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, is a compelling exploration of a harrowing childhood memory and its enduring impact on an individual’s life. This literary work opens with a shocking incident: "My father tried to kill my mother one Sunday in June, in the early afternoon." From this unsettling moment, Ernaux delves into the life of a twelve-year-old girl who witnesses a violent act that irrevocably alters her perception of safety, family, and the world around her.

As Ernaux revisits this traumatic Sunday afternoon, she intertwines her personal narrative with broader social commentaries, blending the emotionally rich voice of great fiction with the piercing clarity of a scientific analysis. The reader is drawn into an intimate reflection on the nature of memory, trauma, and the ways violent experiences shape and situate themselves in the human psyche.

Unfolding with both immediacy and depth, Shame not only recounts the author's experience but also provokes readers to contemplate the residual force of past traumas and their power to dictate the trajectory of one's life. Through meticulous prose and unflinching honesty, Ernaux crafts a vivid, poignant, and enduring piece of literature that speaks to the universal struggles of coping with painful memories.

Ernaux's work is recognized for its potent, evocative storytelling and its ability to seamlessly navigate between the personal and the universal, making Shame a profound reflection on human resilience and the complexities of memory. This book offers not just a story, but an experience that resonates deeply, compelling readers to reconsider their own past and the nature of the memories they carry with them.

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?

Shame by Annie Ernaux is lauded for its intimate, conversational style, akin to getting to know a friend over time. Reviewers praise Ernaux's originality and the lingering impact her memoir has on readers, with her narratives resonating deeply and persistently.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781804270561

Publisher: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 20 September 2023

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Fitzcarraldo Editions

Contributors:

  • Translated by Tanya Leslie

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 125.0mm

Height: 197.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 88

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About the Author

Tanya Leslie was the first translator of Annie Ernaux into English and translated a number of her works, including A Woman's Story (1991), A Man's Place (1992), Simple Passion (1993), Shame (1998), I Remain in Darkness (1999) and Happening (2001).

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