Staff Pick
Lie With Me is the story of a queer teen romance in 1980s France and the reverberations that are felt for decades after. The story is told in reflections by one of the boys, now a famous novelist, with depth and nuance. Philippe Besson, as translated by Molly Ringwald, has written a smart and moving story of the mysteries of love and of repression. Recommended By Keith M., Powells.com
Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
The award-winning, internationally bestselling novel--"the French Brokeback Mountain" (Elle)--about a love affair between two teenage boys in a provincial high school in 1984 France, brilliantly translated by acclaimed writer and actress Molly Ringwald. While passing through the village where he grew up, the narrator, Philippe, chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love, Thomas. What follows is an account of the relationship, twenty-five years earlier, between two teenagers from different social spheres: the bookish Philippe and the popular Thomas barely acknowledge one other at school--and yet, stealing time to meet alone, they carry on a passionate and secretive affair. The son of farmers, Thomas is trapped by convention and eventually ends the affair. When, decades later, Philippe encounters Thomas's son, he finds out what became of Thomas, finally bringing a resolution to the relationship that defined his youth.
Translated by Molly Ringwald, this classic coming-of-age story is rich in 80s nostalgia, the complex dynamics of high school, and the tenderness of first love. A winning and nuanced portrait of two teenagers wrestling with desire and identity, Lie With Me is a heartbreaking and powerful novel from a master of the form.
Synopsis
THE #1 FRENCH BESTSELLER "Stunning and heart-gripping." --Andr Aciman, author of Call Me By Your Name
The award-winning, bestselling French novel by Philippe Besson--"the French Brokeback Mountain" (Elle)--about an affair between two teenage boys in 1984 France, translated with subtle beauty and haunting lyricism by the iconic and internationally acclaimed actress/writer Molly Ringwald.
We drive at high speed along back roads, through woods, vineyards, and oat fields. The bike smells like gasoline and makes a lot of noise, and sometimes I'm frightened when the wheels slip on the gravel on the dirt road, but the only thing that matters is that I'm holding on to him, that I'm holding on to him outside.
Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back at the relationship he's never forgotten, a hidden affair with a gorgeous boy named Thomas during their last year of high school. Without ever acknowledging they know each other in the halls, they steal time to meet in secret, carrying on a passionate, world-altering affair.
Dazzlingly rendered in English by Ringwald in her first-ever translation, Besson's powerfully moving coming-of-age story captures the eroticism and tenderness of first love--and the heartbreaking passage of time.
Synopsis
The Advocate's Best Gay Novel of 2019 O, The Oprah Magazine's Best LGBTQ Books That'll Change the Literary Landscape in 2019 The Wall Street Journal's Ten Books You'll Want to Read this Spring Out Magazine's Best Queer Books of April 2019 TheSkimm's LGBTQ+ books to celebrate Pride THE #1 FRENCH BESTSELLER
"Stunning and heart-gripping." --Andr Aciman, author of Call Me By Your Name
The award-winning, bestselling French novel by Philippe Besson--"the French Brokeback Mountain" (Elle)--about an affair between two teenage boys in 1984 France, translated with subtle beauty and haunting lyricism by the iconic and internationally acclaimed actress/writer Molly Ringwald.
We drive at high speed along back roads, through woods, vineyards, and oat fields. The bike smells like gasoline and makes a lot of noise, and sometimes I'm frightened when the wheels slip on the gravel on the dirt road, but the only thing that matters is that I'm holding on to him, that I'm holding on to him outside.
Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back at the relationship he's never forgotten, a hidden affair with a gorgeous boy named Thomas during their last year of high school. Without ever acknowledging they know each other in the halls, they steal time to meet in secret, carrying on a passionate, world-altering affair.
Dazzlingly rendered in English by Ringwald in her first-ever translation, Besson's powerfully moving coming-of-age story captures the eroticism and tenderness of first love--and the heartbreaking passage of time.
Synopsis
The Advocate's Best Gay Novel of 2019 A New York Times Book Review Editor's Choice O, The Oprah Magazine's Best LGBTQ Books That'll Change the Literary Landscape in 2019 The Wall Street Journal's Ten Books You'll Want to Read this Spring Out's Best Queer Books of April 2019 TheSkimm's LGBTQ+ books to celebrate Pride "Stunning and heart-gripping." --Andr Aciman, author of Call Me By Your Name
The award-winning, bestselling French novel by Philippe Besson--"the French Brokeback Mountain" (Elle)--about an affair between two teenage boys in 1984 France, translated with subtle beauty and haunting lyricism by the iconic and internationally acclaimed actress/writer Molly Ringwald.
We drive at high speed along back roads, through woods, vineyards, and oat fields. The bike smells like gasoline and makes a lot of noise, and sometimes I'm frightened when the wheels slip on the gravel on the dirt road, but the only thing that matters is that I'm holding on to him, that I'm holding on to him outside.
Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back at the relationship he's never forgotten, a hidden affair with a gorgeous boy named Thomas during their last year of high school. Without ever acknowledging they know each other in the halls, they steal time to meet in secret, carrying on a passionate, world-altering affair.
Dazzlingly rendered in English by Ringwald in her first-ever translation, Besson's powerfully moving coming-of-age story captures the eroticism and tenderness of first love--and the heartbreaking passage of time.