Customer Reviews

The Confidant

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Translated from the French, Helene Gremillon's engaging and unusual debut novel 'The Confidant' is set in two time frames: one story set in the mid 1970s, and the other set in the 1930s-1940s. In 1975 we meet Camille, who lives and works in Paris as a book editor, and we are first introduced to her shortly after the premature death of her mother. Among the letters of condolence she receives, Camille is surprised to find a long, handwritten letter from someone called Louis, who begins by telling Camille the story of his relationship with a young girl called Annie which started in the years leading up to the Second World War. The letter ends after several pages but Camille feels there is a lot more to Louis and Annie's story, and she is not wrong, because exactly one week after the first letter, Camille receives a second letter containing the next instalment, and the same thing happens the following week. Camille does not know any of the people mentioned in the letters and is intrigued, but then as the letters keep coming, and she gets drawn further into Louis' and Annie's story, Camille realizes that she is not only intrigued, but also just a little frightened.

We learn from the letters sent to Camille that Louis and Annie first become friendly as children living in the same village and going to the same school, growing closer as they become older. However, when they are teenagers, a young married, childless couple, Monsieur and Madame M, move into the chateau near to their homes, and when Madame M and Annie become very friendly, Louis feels rather excluded. As Annie and Madame M's intimacy grows, Madame M confides a secret to Annie and, in consequence, they decide to carry out a deception (which I shall not reveal in case I spoil the story for prospective readers) which will have life changing and far reaching consequences for all involved. But what does all of this have to do with Camille?

This is an engaging and rather absorbing story that pulls you in from the first few pages and one that is full of passion and jealousy, love and betrayal, and about how secrets from the past do not always remain buried there. Each of the main characters in the story has the chance to tell their version of events to the reader in first person narrated sections, and it was interesting to hear the same story being told from different perspectives. Overall I found this novel an enjoyable read and finished it in one sitting - however, if I am entirely honest, I should mention that I found the plot rather implausible in some places and a little predictable in others and I felt the writing was rather over dramatic at times. That said, Helene Gremillon is a stylish storyteller and her debut novel does have a charm of its own. I found this an entertaining and very Gallic read with a rather unusual ending - all of which has aroused my interest in this new French author and will encourage me to look out for her next novel to see how her writing develops.

3.5 Stars.

Opening in Paris, 1970, but with its origins in and around the second world war, this is a dark and emotionally-powerful story of love, secrets and lies.

Told through a series of first-person narratives which nestle within each other like a set of Russian dolls, we are constantly peeling back layers of untruths until the stark story is finally exposed by the end.

The contemporary narrative takes a while to pick up pace and interest and I was frustrated to start with as it kept interrupting the story of the past but, eventually, the various strands weave together in a satisfactory manner.

The translation from the French feels deft and unobtrusive, and while the war is in the background, this isn't in any sense a war narrative.

So this feels very accomplished in the way that it unfolds. It's restrained and sensitive, and literary in style - if you enjoy emotionally-fraught tales of love (maternal as well as sexual love) with an aura of Parisian sophistication, then this may suit very well.

Throughout The Confidant, each main character narrates in the first person. Camille is the only narrator in present time (Paris 1975) and the story weaves and builds as we become a part of each narrator's perspective.

In Paris 1975, Camille has been opening letters of condolence after the death of her mother. It is in amongst those letters that the first `letter' from Louis arrives. Interspersed through the letters we spend time with Camille, finding out details about her life. Camille is a publisher and at first thinks the letters may have been sent from an author who knows a manuscript wouldn't be read for a long time. As the story progresses, Camille starts to intuit where she fits into the tale that is being told.

From Louis we find out about Annie and her place in his life since childhood. The reader is also a part of their reunion in German occupied Paris in 1945. The next perspective is from Annie herself. We find out how Madame M became a part of her life, the fateful day of Madame M's confession and her poignant role of confidant. Annie's narrative is heartbreaking in places. From this I had made up my mind how I felt about Madame M. However, the final narrative from Madame M herself fills in and overlaps the previous characters stories and her revelations give us knowledge we didn't have previously. Knowing the truth adds a host of different emotions and makes the reader reflect on what is already known to modify those beliefs.

Besides the emotional journey, the descriptions of the places are written in such a way that they come to life. For example Annie wondering the streets of occupied Paris are amazing. I could feel myself with her, dazed and confused. Louis and Annie out after curfew felt so real as well. I feel as if I have spent time in France both in villages and the city!

The Confidant is an honest portrayal of a young girl's desire to help without having the maturity to have thought her decision through in reality. It's a story of social expectations and a mature woman's deep-seated need to fit in with them ... and the fear and doubt that accompanies any intimate relationship that doesn't fulfil societies expectations. It is an emotional journey that builds up layer upon layer and affects future generations. This is a debut novel I definitely recommend for your bookshelf.

The Confidant is translated from French by Alison Anderson.

I would like to thank Gallic Books for offering The Confidant for review via Twitter.

Recently bereaved and grieving for her mother, Camille feels unable to face the world. She is pregnant, but has recently split with the father of the baby, and she feels very alone. Luckily, however, she has struck up a friendship with the concierge of the block of flats she lives in.

Along with the bereavement cards and wishes, Camille receives an anonymous letter. She initially assumes it is a mistake; but as more letters arrive every Tuesday, she realises that a story is unfolding, and starts to look forward to them.

In the letters, she reads about a teenage boy's fascination with a girl in his village. As they grow older the girl, Annie, takes up with an older woman; realising the pain that the older woman feels due to her infertility (a source of great shame in 1930's France when women were exhorted to bear many children so that France could make up for its losses in WW1) Annie agrees to bear a child for her.

Pregnant herself, Camille feels a strong connection with the story she is reading. But why are the letters addressed to her? Is there another message that the writer wants her to understand?

This book is certainly unusual. The narrative jumps around, not only between the 1930s/40's and the 1970's, but between different protagonists - so that we see things from the point of view of Camille, the letter writer, Annie herself, and (in a later section) from the other woman. Although this makes the book difficult to read some of the time, it is also a source of great richness, as the events are shown through different people's eyes. Helpfully the font changes between the two time periods, so the reader shouldn't get too lost.

Personally I found the narrative style of the first half of the book disjointed and hard to follow, and in places rather clunky with new ideas being introduced without context or back story, so that you wonder whether you missed something. It gets more coherent from just after halfway through - and this was when I started to really enjoy it.

The ending has a lovely twist - I had to go back and read the last chapter a second time to make sure I had understood it!

Overall, I found this a fascinating, imaginative and somewhat challenging read. I will certainly look out with interest to see what this author does next.

I really wanted to love this book - because this is the genre I know and love the most. But I was very disappointed. I stopped reading when I had about 50 pages left - I just couldn't stand it any longer. It is a tiny story that just drags on forever. Don't get me wrong; I really think that, written in another manner, it would have great potential to be a real page turner. But this just doesn't cut it. I totally lost interest in the characters early on but kept on thinking that there had to be something more to this story. Sadly the writing is far to simple and straight forward for my taste.
The author clearly has potential, but her debut novel doesn't live up to the genre.

Great, really enjoyed the book - the format was just that bit different, but was easy to read, and kept me interested all the way through.

I was intrigued by the book description given on the Amazon website and have to say that I wasn't disappointed when I actually read it. Although the book was written in French I can't say that the translation into English has harmed it, and in fact I'd go so far as to say that I wouldn't have known it was translated at all if I hadn't been told, as it has been done so well.

The story kept my interest at all times and made me want to read more. I love it when a book is good enough to make me want to make extra time to read it, and this book certainly did that. One of the comments on the book jacket is from another author who states that she thought it "A gorgeous, captivating novel with brilliant storytelling. I finished it and wanted to start reading it all over again". I have heard people say that before but this is the first time that I've actually thought it myself, and in fact that's exactly what I did do - I read it again from the beginning! This is one of those books that are so good that I'm keen for friends to read it too, and I recommend it highly.

I think this book will appeal to readers who enjoy historical dramas. It is a story of love, secrets, deceit and personal tragedy. I found the idea original however the way the book is written (or the way it's been translated) can sometimes be confusing i.e. in some parts it takes a little while to work out who is actually telling the story as it is written from different point of views. All in all it was an enjoyable read.

First Sentence: I got a letter one day, a long letter that wasn't signed.

Camille Warner is in publishing, pregnant, abandoned by her lover, and sorting through condolences from her mother's death. One letter, much thicker than the rest, stands out not only for its size, but its lack of either salutation or signature and seems to be part of a story. As more segments arrive, Camille is curious, thinking perhaps it's an author looking to be published, then intrigued as the characters begin to be identified. As the story evolves, Camille realizes just how personal the story is.

In the beginning, it's not easy to identify which narrator is speaking when. Usually, I find this highly annoying. I don't, however, believe the story really would not have worked any other way. I also realized that, after only a few pages, I was so immersed in the story, I didn't mind. In the beginning, there were a few portents--always a major flaw in my view--but even those, I forgive.

The author's/character's voice, with the help of her translator, immediately drew me in. Her writing is punctuated with small truths that are both illuminating and disturbing..."As the curtain fluttered closed I thought of how once the last survivor of a family is dead, there is no one left to receive letters of condolence." and "It is not other people who inflict the worse disappointments, but the shock between reality and the extravagance of our imagination."

I shan't tell you any more about the characters beyond my summary above. Learning who they are, reading their stories as they unfold and learning how the relationships intertwine is all integral to the plot itself. It should not be spoiled.

The story is set in two time periods; the 1975 present and the years before WWII. I appreciated learning of the milestones in history leading up to the war and seeing the European--in this case French--perspective of events. In some ways, the notions as to how women conceive and remedies for infertility were more disturbing as they were more immediate to the story.

This is a story within a story, within a story, within a story. I was drawn in immediately and kept turning the pages to the very end. Whatever you do, DO NOT cheat and read the ending, particularly the poem, until you reach it in its proper time.

"The Confidant" is a very compelling book I do highly recommend reading.

THE CONFIDANT (Novel-Camille-France-Contemp/1940s) - Ex
Gremillon, Helen - Alison Anderson, Translator - Standalone
Penguin Books, 2012

I was hoping for a warmer more intimate read, but I found that I didn't warm to the main character as much as I wanted to. I did enjoy the twist at the end, but though I was compelled to know what happened next, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I thought I would, because I wasn't emotionally invested in the characters.