By Annie Erneaux
Paperback £13.99
I have read The Years to prepare for the play adaptation playing in the West End at the Harold Pinter theatre. I always try to read the book before I see any adaptation (whether it is a play or a film) and I am so glad I got to experience Annie Ernaux’s most unique prose.
She writes about her life, and in mentioning books, tv shows, historical events and other popular French cultural elements, Ernaux is also writing about everyone who experienced and lived through the same era. The back of the book names this phenomenon a ‘collective autobiography’ and I can certainly see why: she mentions details that were common in the everyday life of whoever was born in the 1940s. Annie Ernaux’s talent resides in the ability of writing experiences that are both collective and personal and while reading it, I felt a bit like I was growing up in France too.
I am now very looking forward to seeing the play, and who knows, I might bring my copy to be signed at the stage door!