Eliette Abécassis
Author of The Qumran Mystery
About the Author
Image credit: Eliette Abécassis lors de l'émission "L'Heure des Livres" du 09/10/2024
Series
Works by Eliette Abécassis
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Canonical name
- Abécassis, Eliette
- Legal name
- Abécassis, Eliette Rivka Tamar
- Other names
- ABECASSIS, Eliette
- Birthdate
- 1969-01-27
- Gender
- female
- Education
- Agrégation de philosophie
Ecole Normale Supérieure, Ulm, Paris
Lycée Henri IV, Paris - Occupations
- Professeur (Philosophie)
Réalisatrice
Scénariste
Romancière - Organizations
- Université de Caen (Maître de conférences, Philosophie, 19 97 | )
- Awards and honors
- Chevalier de l'ordre du Mérite (2021)
- Agent
- Tiffany Breuvart
- Relationships
- Abécassis, Armand (Père)
- Short biography
- Eliette Abécassis grandit dans une famille de juifs séfarades. Après des études en hypokhâgne et khâgne au lycée Henri IV à Paris, Eliette Abécassis est diplômée de l'Ecole nationale supérieure et obtient une agrégation de philosophie. Elle publie son premier roman, 'Qumran', en 1996. Ce polar métaphysique connaît un grand succès ; il est aujourd'hui traduit dans dix-huit langues et a même été adapté en bande dessinée. Un an plus tard, elle est professeur de philosophie à l'université de Caen, et publie son second roman, 'Dans L'Or et la cendre'. Son roman suivant, 'La Répudiée', lui vaut le prix des Ecrivains croyants. En 2002, 'Mon père' est sélectionné pour le prix Goncourt et le prix Femina. 'Clandestin' fait aussi partie des candidats au prix Goncourt en 2003. Mais c'est surtout 'Un heureux événement', dans lequel Eliette Abécassis relate son expérience de parturiente, qui marque la rentrée littéraire 2005. Fustigeant le bonheur de la maternité ancré dans notre société, son livre résonne comme un pamphlet. En 2006, elle participe à deux collectifs dont 'La Cité de Dieu' et 'Va y avoir du sport !', recueil de nouvelles illustrées. En 2007, elle signe un essai en collaboration avec Caroline Bongrand, 'Le Corset invisible', dans lequel elle dénonce les nouveaux carcans 'invisibles' que la société impose aux femmes - être toujours plus mince et toujours plus jeune. Familière des réflexions philosophiques, Eliette Abécassis écrit des ouvrages porteurs d'interrogations sur la vie quotidienne.
- Nationality
- France
- Birthplace
- Strasbourg, Bas-Rhin, Alsace, France
- Map Location
- France
- Associated Place (for map)
- France
Members
Reviews
A thoughtful exploration of life, love, and choice. The author transforms the familiar act of reflecting on one’s life into a story filled with emotion, suspense, and unexpected turns. Through the experiences of Alice and Jules, we’re invited to examine the choices that shape a relationship—and ultimately, a life. Their journey, set near the end of their time together, prompts us to consider how we might want our own final chapters to read, and whether we’re on the path we truly want show more to be.
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its use of reverse chronology. Beginning in the present and moving backward in time adds a layer of intrigue, encouraging readers to piece together the emotional puzzle. The use of dates to anchor each chapter is helpful, though I occasionally found myself flipping back to reconnect with earlier threads as they re-emerged later in the story.
While the structure is inventive, I struggled to fully connect with Alice and Jules. Their emotional depth felt limited, making it harder to empathize with their experiences. A first-person perspective from one of the characters might have added intimacy and clarity to their motivations. Still, the story offers a meaningful reminder: relationships are shaped by the character and choices of each person involved, and those decisions ripple outward, affecting everyone we hold close. It’s a reflective and thought-provoking read. show less
One of the most engaging aspects of the book is its use of reverse chronology. Beginning in the present and moving backward in time adds a layer of intrigue, encouraging readers to piece together the emotional puzzle. The use of dates to anchor each chapter is helpful, though I occasionally found myself flipping back to reconnect with earlier threads as they re-emerged later in the story.
While the structure is inventive, I struggled to fully connect with Alice and Jules. Their emotional depth felt limited, making it harder to empathize with their experiences. A first-person perspective from one of the characters might have added intimacy and clarity to their motivations. Still, the story offers a meaningful reminder: relationships are shaped by the character and choices of each person involved, and those decisions ripple outward, affecting everyone we hold close. It’s a reflective and thought-provoking read. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.A Couple is a poignant exploration of love, memory, and the passage of time, tracing the decades-long relationship between Jules and Alice. The novel delves into their joys, betrayals, and struggles as they navigate the complexities of marriage, family, and aging. While the book offers a deeply introspective look at human relationships, my feelings about it are mixed. The characters’ journey is authentic and at times touching, but the narrative’s uneven pacing and emotional reserve kept show more me from feeling deeply engaged. It’s a worthwhile read for those interested in introspective, character-driven stories, but it may not leave a lasting impression. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Interesting premise. The characters were good. Loved the setting. Sometimes you wonder what holds couples together, especially when they go through so much with each other like this couple did. I generally don’t like books that go backwards in time, but in this case, it seems to work. I liked that each chapter gave the year so it made it easier to keep up with when it took place.
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.I received a free copy of this book from LibraryThing's Early Reviewers program, in exchange for an honestvreview.
I always enjoy leaving a review when I can enthusiastically recommend the book. And that's the case here, credit to both the author AND the translator. The book follows snippets of time in the relationship of a married couple, but backwards chronologically, so the reader learns more and more of the backstory to explain "how did they get to this?" bit by bit. A gimmick? Maybe. But show more I thought it was done well. The language and the details are rich. A short novel, but very satisfying. show less
I always enjoy leaving a review when I can enthusiastically recommend the book. And that's the case here, credit to both the author AND the translator. The book follows snippets of time in the relationship of a married couple, but backwards chronologically, so the reader learns more and more of the backstory to explain "how did they get to this?" bit by bit. A gimmick? Maybe. But show more I thought it was done well. The language and the details are rich. A short novel, but very satisfying. show less
This review was written for LibraryThing Early Reviewers.Lists
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Statistics
- Works
- 52
- Members
- 1,084
- Popularity
- #23,705
- Rating
- 3.0
- Reviews
- 80
- ISBNs
- 164
- Languages
- 13
- Favorited
- 3





















