The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches: A Novel - Hardcover

Soucy, Gaetan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1559705884 ISBN 13: 9781559705882

Publisher: Arcade Pub, 2001

Synopsis

Two children grow up alone with their authoritarian father on an isolated estate, speaking a language and inhabiting a surreal universe of their own creation that has been shaped by their reading of tales of chivalry and philosophy, until the death of their father brings them into contact with the outside world and reveals the dark truth of their existence. 15,000 first printing.

About this title

Review:

‘A magnificent novel, writing that dazzles.’ Elle

‘Soucy is a master of suspense: he gives life to enigmas in order to better illuminate the story by plunging his reader into an even deeper, denser, richer mystery. While the tale becomes more explicit as it progresses, it also becomes more bewitching, more mysteriously pulsating.’ Le Monde

From the Back Cover:

A finalist for France's prestigious Prix Renaudot, and translated into more than ten languages, 'The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond Of Matches' is the strikingly original tale of two siblings growing up isolated from the outside world.

Alone with their authoritative father on a vast estate where time has stopped, the pair speak a language and inhabit a surreal universe of their own making. When their father dies they come into contact with the outside world for the first time, and the appalling truth of their existence is revealed.

A richly imaginative story in which nothing is a tour de force of suspense, linguistic invention and playfulness.

"Soucy is a master of suspense: he gives life to enigmas in order to be better illuminate the story by plunging his reader into an even deeper, denser, richer mystery. While the tale becomes more explicit as it progresses, it also becomes more bewitching, more mysteriously pulsating."
Le Monde

"A mix of horror and beauty, cruelty and enchantment... A strong brew of earthly detail, pure poetry and suggestions of unspeakable horror."
Toronto Star

About this edition

• Publisher: Arcade Pub
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 1559705884
• ISBN 13: 9781559705882
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 138