The New York Times Book Review
- Nancy Kline
Although language must inevitably fail to capture her full complexity, de Vigan's mysterious mother does flash into life in this "novel," which, despite its darkness, is shot through with light. Perhaps what's most amazing is that, repeatedly, in the midst of tragedy, its author suddenly thrusts us into the noisy, crazy, generous heart of her mother's and her own "joyful but ravaged family."
Publishers Weekly11/04/2013
De Vigan's latest novel (following Underground Time) is a fervent, autobiographical examination of the volatile life of her mother, Lucile, who committed suicide in 2008. "Every day that passes I see how difficult it is to write about my mother, to define her in words, how much her voice is missing.
