The Confidant

‘A complex plot, crystalline writing—Hélène Grémillon’s talent explodes in this first novel, as much in her historical precision as in the suspense that lasts until the final paragraph.’ * Le Nouvel Observateur *
‘A novel about the complicity between history with a small “h” — the characters’ stories—and History with a capital “H”. As in Bernard Schlink’s The Reader, nothing is more moving than to witness characters as castaways shipwrecked by History.’ * BSC World News *
‘Hélène Grémillon takes us into the heart of a family secret: unspoken love, hidden hatred and revenge with dire consequences. A novel written in two time frames, with two voices, which rewards us twice over, by going straight to the heart.’ * Elle *
‘A riveting story, that is both thriller and historical tale…This first-time novelist has produced a highly mature text, that displays an extraordinary mastery of narrative, and a feel for suspense that is worthy of the best films. And above all, her characters are endowed with psychological depth.’ * Le Figaro Littéraire *
‘Step back in time in this intriguing French mystery…Grémillon expertly builds the psychological suspense.’ * Courier-Mail *
‘Grémillon’s debut novel, set against the backdrop of WWII Paris, cleverly weaves two stories together to create a truly compelling read.’ * Grazia Magazine *
‘This suspenseful page-turner, set in and around Paris between 1939 and 1975, mixes romance, revenge and French history with aplomb.’ * Instyle Magazine *
‘Elegantly translated by Alison Anderson into an English that does justice to Grémillon’s spare, sophisticated prose, this is another successful exploration of love, war and identity.’ * Sunday Canberra Times *

Hélène Grémillon was born in 1977. She has degrees in literature and history and has worked as a journalist at the French newspaper, Le Figaro, before becoming a full-time writer. The Confidant is her first novel. She lives in Paris with her partner, singer and songwriter Julien Clerc, and their child. She is working on her next novel.

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