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La Batarde

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( 1,076 ratings, 125 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
La Batarde by Violette LeDuc is a daring autobiographical novel that delves into the author's turbulent life from her illegitimate birth to her journey of self-discovery. Set against the backdrop of a changing France, the narrative explores LeDuc’s complex relationships, her quest for identity, and her struggle for acceptance and freedom. It's a raw and intimate portrayal of a woman's relentless pursuit of truth and authenticity.
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Format: Paperback / softback
$5100

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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're drawn to powerful autobiographical narratives rich with emotion and introspection. This work offers a candid exploration of identity, belonging, and the struggles of an outsider, all delivered through lyrical prose. It may appeal to readers interested in complex character studies and the human condition.

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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

An obsessive and revealing self-portrait of a remarkable woman humiliated by the circumstances of her birth and by her physical appearance, La Bâtarde relates Violette Leduc's long search for her own identity through a series of agonising and passionate love affairs with both men and women.

When first published, La Bâtarde earned Violette Leduc comparisons to Jean Genet for the frank depiction of her sexual escapades and immoral behaviour. A confession that contains portraits of several famous French authors, this book is more than just a scintillating memoir—like that of Henry Miller, Leduc's brilliant writing style and attention to language transform this autobiography into a work of art.

Series: Dalkey Essentials Series

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  • La Batarde
    An obsessive and revealing self-portrait of a remarkable woman humiliated by the circumstances of her birth and by her physical appearance, La Bâtarde relates Violette Leduc's long search for her own identity through a series of agonising and passionate love affairs with both men and women. When first published, La Bâtarde earned Violette Leduc comparisons to Jean Genet for the...
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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?

La Batarde by Violette Leduc is acclaimed for its evocative and intense writing, with Leduc’s style mirrored by her pursuit of the perfect expression. Critics note its raw and candid portrayal of experiences that reflect themes akin to the works of Sartre, Genet, and de Beauvoir, conveyed with vivid, emotional clarity. The narrative is recognised for its unflinching honesty, resonating with readers who are drawn to its daring and unconventional storytelling.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781628974577

Publisher: Dalkey Archive Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 August 2023

Country: United States

Imprint: Dalkey Archive Press

Illustration: Illustrations

Contributors:

  • Translated by Derek Coltman
  • Introduction by Deborah Levy
  • Foreword by Simone de Beauvoir

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 140.0mm

Height: 216.0mm

Weight: 250g

About the Author

Violette Leduc(1907-1972) has been referred to as "France's greatest unknown writer." Admired by Jean Genet, Nathalie Sarraute, and Albert Camus, Leduc was championed by Simone de Beauvoir when she published her scandalous autobiographyLa Batarde(1964). LikeTherese and Isabelle, many of her audacious novels are largely inspired by her life. She is the subject of Martin Provost's biopic,Violette(2013).

Derek Coltman has translated such French works as Marie-Claire Blais sA Season in the Life of Emmanuel, Jean Varenne sYoga and the Hindu Tradition, and Violette Leduc'sLa Batarde. He lives in England.

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