The Young Man
Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.
Check link for latest rating. ( 11,738 ratings, 1,445 reviews)Read More
The Young Man
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?
The Young Man
The Young Man by Annie Ernaux is a mesmerising account of an intense love affair that defies the boundaries of age, time, and societal expectations. Set against the backdrop of Ernaux's life experiences, this electrifying narrative delves deep into the essence of desire, memory, and identity. It tells the story of the author's passionate relationship with A., a man 30 years her junior, which rekindles memories of her youth and plunges her into a state of agelessness, as though she is living her life in reverse.
As their relationship blossoms, Ernaux finds herself contemplating profound questions of love, time, and mortality. The affair is as much an exploration of her past as it is a confrontation with the inevitable passage of time, accentuated by the looming presence of menopause. Ernaux deftly intertwines her personal transformation with the vibrancy and recklessness of youth, creating a narrative that is both timeless and deeply resonant.
First published in France in 2022, The Young Man showcases Ernaux's unparalleled ability to dissect the human condition with both precision and artistry. Through her masterful prose, she captures fragmented moments of life that are at once fleeting and significant, like footprints on a beach that refuse to be washed away. Her reflections are punctuated by evocative imagery and an unflinching honesty that lays bare the beauty and pain of her experience.
Winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, Annie Ernaux has once again brought to the fore a work that is both a rigorous examination of life and an intimate, experimental narrative. Critics have lauded the book for its brilliance and insight:
"A sublime book." - Olivia de Lamberterie, Elle
"Once again the work of the writer Annie Ernaux appears as both a rigorous study of life and an experiment. These fragments of living, however evanescent, are precious, irreplaceable, like a skin that never fades." - Caroline Montpetit, Le Devoir
The Young Man is a testament to Ernaux's literary prowess, combining the rawness of her personal narrative with the deftness of her seasoned craft. It is a compelling read for anyone interested in the complexities of desire, the interplay of memory and identity, and the unending quest to understand the self.
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?
Described as sublime and gripping, The Young Man by Annie Ernaux delves into her intense love affair with a significantly younger man, exploring themes of love, aging, desire, and memory. Critics appreciate Ernaux's sharp, clear prose and her ability to tackle complex subjects in a concise format, highlighting its profound exploration of power, domination, and the dynamics of memory without sentimentality. The book is seen as a crucial and poignant addition to Ernaux's oeuvre, offering readers a profound examination of life's universal themes.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781644213209
Publisher: Seven Stories Press,U.S.
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 12 September 2023
Country: United States
Imprint: Seven Stories Press,U.S.
Contributors:
- Translated by Alison Strayer
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 5.0mm
Width: 138.0mm
Height: 208.0mm
Weight: 85g
Pages: 64
About the Author
ANNIE ERNAUX, winner of the 2022 Nobel Prize in Literature, is the author of some twenty works of fiction and memoir, winner of the Prix Renaudot for A Man's Place, and of the Marguerite Yourcenar Prize for her body of work. She is also the winner of the International Strega Prize and the French-American Translation Prize and shortlisted for the Man Booker International Prize for The Years. In 2019 she was the recipient of the Prix Formentor. She is now considered to be France's most important literary voice, and is the first French woman to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. ALISON L. STRAYER is a Canadian writer and translator. Her work has been shortlisted for the Governor General's Award for Literature and for Translation, the Grand Prix du livre de Montreal, and the Prix litteraire France-Quebec. She lives in Paris.
Also by Annie Ernaux
View allMore from Biography & Memoir
View allWhy buy from us?
Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent specialist on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!
Service & Delivery
Our cozy 200m2 warehouse in Auckland holds over 10,000 books in-stock so you're not waiting for books to arrive from overseas.
Auckland Pick Ups
We're an online-only store but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our warehouse in Hobsonville.
Our Gifting Service
Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.