Fascinating novella about a young girl ultimately destroyed by the society she lives in and the expectations on her. I've been meaning to read this for ages and now I have, can't understand why I waited. ( )

I’ll preface my review with this disclaimer: before reading Inseparable I had never read anything by Simone de Beauvoir, so I have no context. With the exception of a quick peak at the final published edition to see if the format has been altered from the ARC, I am purposely not doing any research on her other work or her life until I’ve finished this review. I’d rather write as a complete de Beauvoir virgin than as one who scrabbles around online in an attempt to sound like I know what I’m talking about.

I haven’t read a lot of French fiction, so I appreciated the glimpse into family life in France in the early 20th century. Although both Sylvie and Andrée are expected to conform to the conventions of familial duty and Catholic dogma, there is a little warmth too. On Sylvie’s first day of school; she is hugged by the “young ladies” (Older students? Teachers?) on the first day of school, and the students’ mothers stay with their children, knitting as they sit in the back of the room. The teacher, as per the usual ritual, kisses each student on the forehead as they leave for the day. What a lovely tableau - an oasis of affection in a life that later becomes cold and filled with obligation, especially for Andrée.

This short novel would have been more pleasant to read if it hadn’t been divided into only two very long chapters; with no visual pauses in the narrative, it was a chore to read what was basically a wall of words. I also would have appreciated footnotes at the bottom of the page rather than asterisks referring to notes at the back of the book, but perhaps this was addressed in the final edition.
The excerpted letters at the end of the book are a pure portrait of the soul-level intimacy the two women shared. Both were eloquent – Zaza (the real Andrée) in particular. Without the layer of pretense inherent in the fictionalized account, their heart-to-heart connection is so much more bare and true. If the book consisted of just the letters between the two, I would buy it.

I can’t say the same of the actual novel, but I don’t presume that my opinion is relevant to de Beauvoir scholars. I’m sure this wasn’t presented as a frontlist title, and I know I am not the target audience. Inseparable, as a previously unpublished work by an author whose devotees assumed they’d read everything, will naturally appeal to de Beauvoir’s loyal readers. ( )

A beautiful story about two friends that both loved, saw and respected each other. Their relationship both makes them try to be better and allows them to be more like themselves. This is, in summary, a love letter. ( )

Ci sarà qualcuno che ha misurato la frequenza di amicizie come quella fra Zaza e Simone? L'unità di misura più appropriata qual'è? Le parti per milione?
Ma la mia è solo invidia, un'invidia enorme.

Inseparable is a beautifully written semi-autobiographical novella written in 1954 by Simone de Beauvoir but has never been published until now. This novella is at once hauntingly beautiful story of pure selfless love, and a sharp and witty commentary on gender roles and religion in the world she and "Andree" grew up in. Extremely personal and strikingly intimate De Beauvoir has introduced us to "Andree" whom she met at nine years old and would admire, cherish, and love dearly for years to come; who she will admire and allow to influence and help shape the woman she will grow into.

For anyone familar with De Beauvoir this novel is like coming home.One cannot simply read and observe from a distance De Beauvoirs narratives, instead we fall head first into the story, falling in love with Sylvie herself and developing our own fondness for Andree through the strength and beauty of De Beauvoir's raw and heart wrenching voice, an accomplishment that is laced throughout every story she has left us with but perhaps more so than ever with Inseparable.

It is impossible to say much more without revealing too much I fear, so you'll have to get a copy and experience it for yourselves come September. You won't be disapointed.

Thank you to netgalley, Ecco, and of course the late and amazing Simone de Beauvoir herself for bringing this novel to light, and for gifting me an e-copy in order for me to share with you my honest opinion. My heart is a bit larger, my faith a little stronger thanks to Inseparable. ( )