Be very clear: this isn't so much a book about Sagan and the writing of Bonjour Tristesse, it's a book about Berest reflecting on her own writing of a book about Sagan. In that sense, it's a self-consciously French book clearly influenced by postmodern thought on writing, authorship, biography and the self, and creates a kind of hall of mirrors narrative that reflects backwards and forwards, drawing connections between two female authors.

It's only a short book, and a thoughtful and intellectual one. I'm not sure the blurb fits the book, but I enjoyed this.

Francoise Sagan’s son Denis Westhoff asked novelist Anne Berest to write a book marking the 60th anniversary of the publication of Bonjour Tristesse. What Berest came up with is this admittedly self-indulgent but ultimately quite enjoyable meditation on Sagan, the publication of the book and her own relation to writing. I found the story of the publication and the description of 1950s French literary life and the characters who moved within it very interesting indeed. There’s an immediacy to Berest’s writings at times that make the milieu come to life, and her descriptions of Sagan’s introduction to the world of publishing is very atmospheric. I was bothered by the mélange of fact and fiction, however – although the writing seems authentic Berest herself admits she has let her imagination run wild at times and simply made up scenes. But at the end, I couldn’t help wondering what the point of this book is. It appears to be more about Berest’s own interior life rather than Sagan’s – and Sagan’s has been examined far more objectively elsewhere. So a cautious “yes” to this very French book, as it has left me with a vivid picture of Sagan doing the rounds in Paris when her fame was just beginning to blossom, and that at least was compelling.

The last days before the unknown girl Françoise Quoirez turns into one of the most sought-after writer of her time, idol of her fellows and icon of her time. The year 1954 marked the turning point, when she offered her manuscript of “Bonjour tristesse” to three publishing houses and to her family’s astonishment was immediately accepted. A star in literature was born, in those days which also marked the beginning of Brigitte Bardot’s career as an actress and Paris was the centre of the global intellectual and cultural life. Françoise, now named Sagan, was suddenly catapulted into the middle of it.

Already for I long time I have admired Françoise Sagan’s writing, not just the best known “Bonjour tristesse”, but also “Aimez-vous Brahms” left me thinking for weeks after reading it. Anne Berest’s way of approaching the phenomenon is quite unique: she is not providing another biography with an accurate account of what happened exactly in this year. She uses print materials as well as interviews and memories of companions to create a partly invented and partly accurate description of the last days of Françoise Quoirez and the first days of Françoise Sagan. This is mixed with her own thoughts in the process of writing and the problems in the writing process itself. The result is an interesting book which is always entertaining to read and makes you feel like part of the process of approaching the phenomenon Françoise Sagan.

Apart from the protagonist, you also get a deep insight in the French culture and society of the 1950s, it is often just side remarks that reveal a lot about the time.

This is another sensitive and insightful story of a writer writing about another writer, both women. It is hard to decide whether the author or the subject is the more interesting because both are so well crafted. The time in which the subject, Francoise, lives is beautifully recalled. The reader can picture the people, the streets, the mores. This is another superb translation.

i completely fell for this book - not only was the author's engrossment in Sagan persuasive, but her own predicament after a failing love affair/marriage. i suppose the only difficulty might be for people who do not know Francoise Sagan's life but since everyone has access to internet, it's a matter of quickly looking up who Peggy ROche was for example - and the contexts that Anne Berest points up - ie. between Sagan and Brigitte Bardot in one instance - is kinda' brilliant - and utterly convincing and insightful. but it's the confidence and charm of the voice as we start with the days before Francoise sends her book to the publisher, its acceptance and all that happens just as the book 'Bonjour tristesse' her breakout book, as it is exploding on the scene - Berest weaves in events later in her life - the car crash, nearly lethal, the addiion to narcotics, drink and cocaine - and the two marriages; the son and relations with her parents and brother - very rich - and all filtered through the foci of the memoir-writer's present day condition - really a kind of tour de force. i could not put it down.

I read Bonjour Tristresse in my early twenties and was really thrilled to read this book of the young Francoise in the time building up to the release of her book. A must for fans.