Description

‘Japrisot is the most welcome talent since the early Simenons’ New York Times

Car mechanic Fiorimond is irresistibly drawn to beautiful, provocative Elle, a recent arrival in his sleepy Provence village.

Their relationship develops quickly, but even as they make plans to marry, Fiorimond doesn’t know what to make of his bride-to-be: is she an enigma or simply vacuous? In fact the troubled Elle is on a mission to exact revenge on Fiorimond’s family for a crime committed decades earlier, with a plan that will ultimately destroy all their lives, including hers.

Set in the 1970s, and available in English again for the first time in many years, this is a true classic of French suspense. It has everything: stylish writing, clever construction, an unforgettable leading lady, and most importantly leaves the reader guessing until the very last page. In the 1980s it was turned into a successful film with Isabelle Adjani.

Publisher Review

A gripping tale of hatred, revenge, and lust ... a sinister spellbinder' Publishers Weekly 'The most welcome talent since the early Simenons' New York Times 'Japrisot's talent lies for one part in the clever construction of his novels that mimics a game of Meccano, each piece slotting neatly, one into another. Of course, it also lies in the writing that is simple, rhythmical, surprising, phonetic and lyrical.' Le Point 'A marvellous storyteller' T�l�rama 'S�bastien Japrisot holds a unique place in contemporary French fiction... With the quality and originality of his writing, Japrisot has hugely contributed to breaking down the barrier between crime fiction and literary fiction.' Le Monde Praise for A Very Long Engagement: 'Riveting ... A fierce, elliptical novel that's both a gripping philosophical thriller and a highly moving meditation on the emotional consequences of war' New York Times 'A classic of its kind, brewing up enormous pathos undiluted by sentimentality' Daily Telegraph 'Diabolically clever ... The reader is alternately impressed, beguiled, frightened, bewildered ... A considerable achievement' Anita Brookner 'The narrative is brilliantly complex and beguiling, and the climax devastating' The Independent 'A kind of latter-day War and Peace ... a rich and most original panorama' Los Angeles Book Review 'Precisely, surprisingly evocative of the lingering pain of mourning and the burdens of survival' Kirkus Reviews