Charlotte

I am deeply, deeply affected by this sad, beautiful, indignant, wrenching, important book . . . It is an artistic privilege and (I think) almost a moral duty that you all read this -- SARAH PERRY, author of THE ESSEX SERPENT
Foenkinos writes arrestingly about Charlotte, masterfully imagining her interior life . . . So much space on the page visually transforms each paragraph into a stanza, while lending the words a solemn weight and power . . . [A] beautiful, wretched story * * Guardian * *
An astonishing novel. Every line has something profound to say about love and loss, hope and fear, time and memory, and the enduring power of art -- ANDREW MICHAEL HURLEY, author of THE LONEY
From its striking first sentence there is no turning away . . . A far superior tribute to any commemorative plaque -- SARA BAUME * * Irish Times * *
Each sentence begins on a new line, giving it the deceptive look of a long poem. The success of this approach, loyally managed by Sam Taylor in his translation, is the make Charlotte read as a series of tricker-tape bulletins, delivered in breathless fits and starts * * London Review of Books * *
Unforgettable, poetic * * Sunday Independent * *
Quietly but deeply moving, incredibly powerful in its simplicity -- CLAIRE NORTH, author of THE FIRST FIFTEEN LIVES OF HARRY AUGUST
Heartbreaking. A story about loss and resilience, set in Nazi Germany, Charlotte is an inspiring novel made all the more powerful by being based on a true story about the life of a relatively unknown artist. The ending comes as no surprise, but I still found myself devastated by it -- Sarah Crossan * * Guardian * *
A life-changer -- POLLY CLARK, author of LARCHFIELD
A tour de force. Every important detail and much more of this supreme artist's life . . . is recorded lovingly, passionately, obsessively and lyrically . . . The verse-like narrative . . . produces a befittingly vibrant creativity * * Jewish Chronicle * *
The reader follows, lump in the throat, fascinated by this tragic fate, which is told with the utmost precision * * Livres Hebdo * *
Whimsical, heart-breaking and fast-paced * * The Student * *
Astounding . . . Foenkinos makes us a part of this hopefully growing community: that of the admirers of a young artist named Charlotte Salomon, assassinated when she was 26 years old * * L'Express * *
A sensitive and deeply moving novel * * Paris Match * *
Astonishing * * Le Journal de Dimanche * *
A shocking novel written with rare delicacy and honesty * * Page * *
Deeply affecting, David Foenkinos' novel is like a song, celebrating the beauty, passion and drive of Charlotte Salomon's life * * L'Arche * *
Devastating . . . Charlotte is one of these books by which a writer measures himself against the rules of his craft. A gamble which more than paid off for Foenkinos * * Lire * *
A beautiful homage * * Le Figaro * *
The charm of this novel can be described in one word: admiration. That of a talented novelist for a genius artist. This feeling gives the book greatness * * Le Figaro Litteraire * *
The striking portrait of a woman whom the writer can't part with. Not to be missed * * Nouvelles Semaines * *
Everything in this book is a success * * Rappels * *
There is no page where the emotion doesn't come through in this poignant ode * * Phosphore * *
To be read in one sitting * * Challeges * *