The French title of Men plays on a quote by Marguerite Duras- 'We have to love men a lot. A lot, a lot. Love them a lot in order to love them. Otherwise it's impossible, we couldn't bear them.'
With her characteristic intensity, edginess and humour, Marie Darrieussecq explores female desire, what it means to be a woman. Solange was a provincial teenager in All the Way; now in her thirties, she's not a great mother, is a mediocre actress, but in Hollywood she falls for a charismatic actor, Kouhouesso, who wants to direct a movie of Joseph Conrad's Heart of Darkness-in Africa. He's black; she's white-what's the difference when it comes to love, she wonders?
Solange follows her man to Africa, determined to play a main role in both his film and his affections. But nothing goes to plan in this brilliantly droll examination of romance, movie-making and cliches about race relations. After all, there's no guarantee you'll be loved by the one you love.
Personal and political, passionate and engaged, Men is a novel that will make you see things differently.
Industry Reviews
'There are few writers who may have changed my perception of the world, but Darrieussecq is one of them.'
* The Times *
'The internationally celebrated author who illuminates those parts of life other writers cannot or do not want to reach.'
* Independent *
'Compelling...Anyone who has experienced heartbreak will relate...A moody, powerful book.' * Age/Sydney Morning Herald *
'This is an atmospheric novel, written in prose that is at once evocative and compulsive...For those in the market for a nuanced and thought-provoking dissection of race and gender relations and who are willing to risk being infuriated, Men is an easy and engaging read.' * NZ Listener *
`As a chronicle of the humiliations and occasional joys of loving someone whose own feelings are more ambiguous...it feels queasily accurate...A sometimes biting, often sharply observed take on a relationship one would surely rather read about than be part of.' * Kirkus *
`An intelligent critique of the intersection between the personal and political, a funny and moving love story, a gorgeous portrayal of the film-making scene, Men is a singular achievement from a writer of enormous talent ' * i Newspaper *
'[Readers will] find themselves enchanted by Darrieussecq's silken, dreamy prose and this sly exploration of female desire and interracial couplings.' * Booklist *