Bonjour Tristesse

by Francoise Sagan
Bonjour Tristesse cover
Good Books rating 4.25
Literary Fiction
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  • ID: 2414
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780066211695
  • Publisher: Harper Collins
  • Published: 2001-11-06
  • Formats: 6
  • Reviews: 3

Bonjour Tristesse is a poignant exploration of a young woman's summer of self-discovery. Seventeen-year-old Cécile narrates her story with a mix of innocence and sophistication, revealing the intricate dynamics of her relationships with her father and his new love interest. The novel's setting on the French Riviera adds a layer of glamour and tension, making it a timeless classic of literary fiction. This novella delves into themes of love, loss, and the passage into adulthood. Cécile's voice is both charming and introspective, drawing readers into her world of emotional turmoil and moral ambiguity. The story's brevity belies its depth, making it a compelling read that lingers long after the final page.

Reviews
The Book Self Blog · 2015-08-18
captivating 4.25

The reviewer finds the novel's writing style engaging and the descriptions of the French Riviera particularly enchanting.

The Book Self Blog's retro review of 'Bonjour Tristesse' praises Françoise Sagan's writing style as engaging and detailed. The reviewer is captivated by the descriptions of the French Riviera, which add a layer of sensuality and drama to the story. They appreciate how Sagan captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the complexities of relationships, making it a compelling read. The blogger finds the novel's exploration of themes like jealousy and freedom particularly intriguing.

Quick quotes

    Sagan writes in a spare, yet detailed style I thoroughly enjoyed.

    I loved the descriptions of idling along the French Riviera, the stolen ...

    It was about being very cool on the Mediterranean coast. And it featured some very adult themes about a father with very modern ideas bout his relationships ...

The Guardian · 2014-02-28
intriguing 4.00

The novel scandalised French society with its amoral tale, showcasing Sagan's boldness at a young age. It captures the essence of youthful rebellion and the complexities of relationships.

The Guardian's review highlights how Françoise Sagan's 'Bonjour Tristesse' created a stir in French society with its amoral narrative. The reviewer appreciates the novel's bold exploration of youthful rebellion and the intricate dynamics between a father and daughter. They note how Sagan's writing, at just 18, was ahead of its time, capturing the essence of freedom and the consequences of unchecked desires. The story's setting on the French Riviera adds a layer of sensuality and drama that makes it a compelling read.

Quick quotes

    Françoise Sagan's 'amoral' story of a schoolgirl's summer romance, scandalised French society and made its 18-year-old author famous.

    This is one of those French stories that lives for the sensuous and elemental—

    The novel's amoral tale is deceptively simple: A girl on the verge of womanhood grows jealous when her loving father (a widower) meets a new woman.

Edith Lagraziana Blog · 2013-07-12
enjoyable 4.50

The novel is praised for its spare yet detailed writing style, which beautifully captures the idyllic and tumultuous summer on the French Riviera.

Edith Lagraziana's blog review highlights the spare yet detailed writing style of Françoise Sagan in 'Bonjour Tristesse'. They particularly enjoy the descriptions of the French Riviera and the stolen moments that add to the novel's charm. The reviewer appreciates how Sagan weaves a tale of youthful rebellion and the complexities of relationships, making it a captivating read. The blogger finds the novel's exploration of themes like jealousy and freedom particularly compelling.

Quick quotes

    Sagan writes in a spare, yet detailed style I thoroughly enjoyed.

    I loved the descriptions of idling along the French Riviera, the stolen ...

    It's the classic French novella that captures the disintegration of a perfect summer on the Riviera.

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