Hunting and Gathering (novel) explained

Hunting and Gathering
Author:Anna Gavalda
Title Orig:Ensemble, c'est tout
Translator:Alison Anderson
Country:France
Language:French
Publisher:Le Dilettante
Pub Date:2004
English Pub Date:2006
Pages:603
Isbn:9782842630850

Hunting and Gathering is a 2004 novel by the French writer Anna Gavalda. Its original French title is Ensemble, c'est tout, which means "Being together, period". The narrative follows an anorexic young woman who struggles with the neuroses, both of her own and of people around her. The book was adapted into a 2007 film with the same title, directed by Claude Berri.

Reception

Gerry Feehily reviewed the book for The Independent, and saw a parallel between its themes and those in Candide by Voltaire: "But Voltaire was pulling our leg. Candide is a starry-eyed idiot whose idealism is dashed to bits by the horrors of absolutist Europe. His resignation is inevitable. With Gavalda, resignation, a longing for stasis, is a virtue. That she has a worldwide audience suggests she has tapped into a mood which many people share."[1]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Feehily. Gerry. 2006-06-02. Hunting and Gathering. The Independent. 2012-04-14.