Anna Gavalda Books

Camille is doing her best to disappear. She barely eats, works at night as a cleaner and lives in a tiny attic room. Downstairs in a beautiful, ornate apartment, lives Philibert Marquet de la Durbelli re, a shy, erudite, upper-class man with an unlikely flatmate in the shape of the foul-mouthed but talented chef, Franck. One freezing evening Philibert overcomes his excruciating reitcence to rescue Camille, unconscious, from her garret and bring her into his home. As she recovers Camille learns more about Philibert; about Franck and his guilt for his beloved but fragile grandmother Paulette, who is all he has left in the world; and about herself. And slowly, this curious quartet of misfits all discover the importance of food, friendship and love.

In this collection of seven short stories, all written in the first person, Anna Gavalda has created an ode to those who confront their vulnerabilities and admit their weaknesses. These tales illustrate the importance of moving beyond the wounds of the past and embracing love, friendship, forgiveness, and family. From the trucker who puts his dog to sleep following the death of his son to the alcoholic widow who befriends a stranger raised in a strict military family, readers will find the classic Gavaldian universe on full display in these stories of suffering and salvation.

With arresting naturalism, a lively variety of perspectives, Gavalda writes simply and beautifully of human beings longing to connect. Gavalda has a knack for capturing our inner as well as our outer dialogues with perfect pitch, provoking reflection, pain and laughter in equal measure.

Exploring modern French life through seven short stories, this collection delves into the complexities of the human spirit. Each narrative offers a blend of raw emotion and tenderness, capturing the essence of contemporary experiences and the resilience of individuals facing life's challenges. The author, known for their international bestseller, delivers poignant reflections that resonate with readers.

At 65 Pierre looks back on his life. Chloe, half his age, lives in a shroud of sadness, a sadness that has descended on her after her husband left her. When Chloe's father-in-law, Pierre, takes her on a short break, it seems that they have little in common. However, as they slowly open up to each other, things change.

This edition of the international bestseller from the author of "I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere" includes both the English and original French texts.

During a car journey to a family wedding, Garance reflects on how adult life, with its disappointments and responsibilities, has not always gone to plan for herself or her three siblings. But just around the corner lies the chance for them to revisit their younger, carefree selves in a delightfully unplanned escapade.

An international bestseller and French publishing sensation Consolation is a dazzling, heartbreaking tale of one man, two remarkable women and an unforgettable transvestite.Charles Balanda is forty-seven; a successful architect, he is constantly on the move. But from the moment he hears about the death of the woman he once loved - Anouk, the tragically big-hearted mother of a childhood friend - his life begins to unravel until, one day, he finds himself on a Paris pavement covered in blood. But fate brings him one final chance to be happy in Kate, an enchanting young woman, herself damaged but fearless and in love with life.The resulting story is a triumphant, spellbinding and ultimately consoling novel about the power of a second chance.

A bestselling novel in Europe with over half a million copies sold, published in over twenty-six languages, Anna Gavalda's French Leave is a charming adventure that tells the story of four siblings in search of the happiness they knew as children and the bonds that once united them. Simon, Garance, and Lola flee a dull family wedding (and Simon's uptight and judgmental wife) to visit their younger brother, Vincent, who is working as a guide at a chateau in the heart of the enchanting Tours countryside. For a few hours, they forget about kids, spouses, work, and the many demands adulthood makes upon them and lose themselves in a day of laughter, teasing, and memories. As simply and as spontaneously as the adventure began, it ends. All four return to their everyday lives, carrying with them the magic of their brief reunion. They are stronger now, and happier, for having rediscovered the ties that bind them. Lighthearted, tender and funny, a parable on escaping the past to find the future, French Leave is a tribute to sibling relationships, local Loire wines, and the art of being together.

A young woman, waiting for help after a nasty fall in the mountains, tells the stars her life story.