Happening
Happening
Book Brief
Beta96
Book • Nonfiction
France • 1960s
2022
Adult
18+ years
Super Short Summary
Annie Ernaux's Happening, translated by Tanya Leslie, is a poignant memoir chronicling a person's harrowing experience with an illegal abortion in 1960s France. It details the emotional and physical toll, while reflecting on societal attitudes and personal resilience.
Reviews & Readership
52,513 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Annie Ernaux's Happening, translated by Tanya Leslie, is widely praised for its raw, unflinching narrative about a young woman's abortion in 1960s France. Critics commend the memoir's emotional depth and Ernaux's candid prose. Some find the stark, sparse style challenging, but others feel it enhances the authenticity. Overall, Happening is lauded for its courageous storytelling.
Who Should Read Happening?
Fans of intimate, memoir-driven narratives like The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion or The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky will appreciate Happening by Annie Ernaux and Tanya Leslie for its raw, honest exploration of personal and social issues surrounding a pivotal life event.
52,513 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Happening is a memoir by Annie Ernaux, originally published in French as "L'Événement" in 2000, that explores deeply personal themes which are often seen reflected in her body of work.
The English translation of Happening by Tanya Leslie was released in 2001, contributing to Ernaux's growing international popularity and recognition in the English-speaking world.
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Annie Ernaux has won numerous literary awards, and her work, including Happening, is known for its raw honesty and exploration of social issues, which resonated with many readers and critics alike.
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96
Book • Nonfiction
France • 1960s
2022
Adult
18+ years
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