Le Bal

by Irène Némirovsky

Book Overview

From the author of the bestselling Suite Fran aise. Le Bal is a sharp, brittle story of a girl who sets out to ruin the mother she hates. The Kampfs have risen swiftly up the ranks of 1930s Parisian... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0676979661
• ISBN13: 9780676979664
• Release Date: November 2007
• Publisher: Vintage Books Canada
• Length: 112 Pages
• Weight: 0.30 lbs.

Customer Reviews

You'll binge read Nemirovsky after this, Trust Me

Le bal is the story of a noveau riche family, the Kampfs, who are trying to fit in with the elite, upper Parisian Society. Monsieur and Madame Kampf decide to throw a magnificient ball that would put them on the map, so to speak. Mrs. Kampf and her 14 year old daughter, Antoinette have a slightly twisted relationship: the domineering mother on one side, and timid facade of an angry teenager on the other side. As the short story unfolds, the results of the strained mother-daughter relationship comes to light. A very enjoyable read, with delicate portrayals. Snow in Autumn, the second story, tells the tale of the devoted nanny/servant, Tatiana Ivanovna, as she follows her masters who are fleeing the russian revolution. The story first takes place in the family home, in Russia, and then moves on to Odessa and finally to Paris. Through Tatiana's loving eyes, you see the change the family goes through. Despair, lost hope, grief, then starting over again and a mild throbbing feeling of finding a glimmer of hope again. Of the two stories in this book, I liked Snow in Autumn the most

Great first book by Nemirovsky

This was one of Nemirovsky's first works. It was written in 1928, the year before the Wall Street crac, but published in 1930, after David Golder. It tells the story of a French nouveau riche family, the Kampfs. He is a Jewish businessman who has suddenly strike rich on currency speculation; on marrying her unbearable catholic wife he converted to catholicism (there is some stereotyping here for those willing to look at it, though it's not as on-your-face as in Golder). They decide to give a ball in order to presents themselves into high society. Her fourteen years old daughter, the vivacious but lonely Antoinette is told she will not be allowed to the ball, so while sending the invitations she suddenly plans a cruel revenge on her parents (and especially her mother). A great book, especially observant at the feelings of a wounded teenager, and at less than 90 pages, between a short story and a novella.