Literary rentrée 2021: novels not to be missed

With a catalog of no less than 521 novels for this 2021 literary season, of which 379 are French, here is a selection of this fall's must-reads. 

• First Blood by Amélie Nothomb (released 08/15)

On the occasion of her thirtieth novel (no less!), Amélie Nothomb pays tribute in this one to her father, the Belgian diplomat Patrick Nothomb.

Presented in the form of a tale, it tells the story of her father's life, who, as a young adult, will have to confront death... The child will not have had the chance to know his father, who died in the war before he was born.

• Once Upon a Time in Hollywood by Quentin Tarantino (released 08/18)

The first novel by the successful director, he has written the adaptation of the film Once upon a time… in Hollywood, released in 2019, which features four protagonists in Hollywood in 1969:

Rick Dalton, a ruined actor condemned to playing low-life thugs; Cliff Booth, Rick's stunt double; Sharon Tate, a movie star living in a villa in the city's hills; and Charles Manson, a convict who improvises as a spiritual master.

• The definition of happiness by Catherine Cusset (released 08/19)

In Paris, Clarisse is passionate about travel and a great lover, but she hides a flaw. In New York, Eve oscillates between reason and unreason, but has a deep relationship with her husband. Their stories intertwine over several decades around a secret that binds them.

• His Son by Justine Lévy (released 01/09)

An imaginary diary of Antonin Artaud's mother. Her life, which she devotes to trying to save her son, to understand his genius and his madness. Her courage to try to get him out of the various psychiatric hospitals where he is sent and locked up; electroshocks and drugs that, she thinks, damage him more and more.

• The one that burns by Paula Hawkins (released 09/16)

London. Three women are hit hard by the murder of a young man on board his barge. Carla, his aunt. Miriam, his neighbor, who discovered the body. And Laura, with whom the victim spent his last night. Although they don't know each other, these three women have one thing in common: each has been the victim of an injustice that ruined her life. Each harbors a rage that is just waiting to explode. Could one of them have done the irreparable to repair the wrongs she has suffered?

• The unknown woman of the Seine by Guillaume Musso (released 09/21)

Inspired by a 19th century news story, this novel begins with the rescue of a mysterious and amnesiac young woman, fished out of the Seine by the River Brigade.

My favorite author, can't wait to devour it! 

• Son of a Bastard by Sorj Chalandon 

The incredible adventure of an 18-year-old boy, without education or conviction, a liar, forger and manipulator, who went through the war like a little soldier. A dirty kid, unaware of the danger, who wore five uniforms in four years. Four times a deserter from four different armies.