Home Books The Familia Grande

The Familia Grande

The Familia Grande

by Camille Kouchner, trans. by Adriana Hunter

Other Press ·2021 ·224 pages ·Culture
Near the Top
Near the Top
I Index
61/99
Near the Top

52/99

Critics

Near the Top

70/99

Readers

n/a

Scholars

70/99

Rating

34/99

Volume

59/99

Rating

82/99

Volume

Sign in to add to your shelf, rate, or review this book.


About This Book

A stunning story about finding the courage to speak out against injustice, even when committed by those closest to us. Camille Kouchner's childhood was marked by sun-drenched summers in the south of France, where a vibrant cast of family and friends would gather at their Sanary-sur-Mer house. This familia grande, which included much of the country's elite, spent memorable days and nights laughing, debating, drinking, and dancing. But a long-held secret poisoned Camille's memories. In February 2017, Camille returned to Sanary at forty-one to bury her mother, who died with none of her five children present. Her passing would stir up old emotions, ultimately leading Camille to publicly confront the truth. The Familia Grande poignantly explores the dynamics of abuse, and the questions of guilt and shame surrounding it. Published in France in 2021, the book sparked an important conversation about incest, and the attitudes and laws that have so often allowed influential men to evade consequences for their crimes.


Preview


Reviews

"A cathartic, blisteringly candid family portrait of abuse, dysfunction, and eventual epiphany."

Kirkus Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Kouchner's short sentences and simple diction evoke a child's point of view; but if her prose is spare, it is not childish."

Claire Berlinski· The New York Times Read review ↗ Top of the Pile

"Kouchner writes in poetically short sentences, paragraphs, and chapters, helping to soften the raw and difficult subject matter."

Kathy Sexton· Booklist Read review ↗ Near the Top

"But this is no mere misery memoir."

Peter Conradi· The Times (UK) Read review ↗ Near the Top

Reader Reviews

0 reviews

Sign in to write a review.

No reader reviews yet. Be the first!