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An obsessive and revealing self-portrait of a remarkable woman humiliated by the circumstances of her birth and by her physical appearance,
La Bâtarde relates Violette Leduc’s long search for her own identity through a series of agonizing and passionate love affairs with both men and women.
When first published,
La Bâtarde earned Violette Leduc comparisons to Jean Genet for the frank depiction of her sexual escapades and immoral behavior. A confession that contains portraits of several famous French authors, this book is more than just a scintillating memoir—like that of Henry Miller, Leduc’s brilliant writing style and attention to language transform this autobiography into a work of art.
About the author
Violette Leduc (1907-1972) has been referred to as "France's greatest unknown writer." Admired by Jean Genet, Nathalie Sarraute, and Albert Camus, Leduc was championed by Simone de Beauvoir when she published her scandalous autobiography
La Batarde (1964). Like
Therese and Isabelle, many of her audacious novels are largely inspired by her life. She is the subject of Martin Provost's biopic,
Violette (2013).
Summary
An obsessive and revealing self-portrait of a remarkable woman humiliated by the circumstances of her birth and by her physical appearance, La Bâtarde relates Violette Leduc’s long search for her own identity through a series of agonizing and passionate love affairs with both men and women.
When first published, La Bâtarde earned Violette Leduc comparisons to Jean Genet for the frank depiction of her sexual escapades and immoral behavior. A confession that contains portraits of several famous French authors, this book is more than just a scintillating memoir—like that of Henry Miller, Leduc’s brilliant writing style and attention to language transform this autobiography into a work of art.
Foreword
Print and digital publicity targeting the New Yorker, Harper’s, Paris Review, NPR, New York Times, Bookforum, New York Review of Books, London Review of Books, LARB, Literary Hub
Campaign emphasizing Dalkey Archive Essentials series
New introduction from recognized writer
Marketing highlighting author’s past praise
Targeted bookseller mailing
Promotion on publisher’s website and social media; promotion via e-newsletters to booksellers, reviewers
Additional text
“La Batarde is a success based not on wit, wisdom or literary grace but on the unpleasant pleasure many people find in watching someone else behave shamelessly.”—Time
