From “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde” to “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter”, here are the great books I’ve read this year.

As the year draws to a close, I want to tell you about the great books I’ve read this year. Let me know what you think of them.

1. “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde” by Robert Louis Stevenson.

I think I read a few extracts from it at school, but my memories are a bit hazy. Before reading the book, I could only remember a tiny part of the story, so I was looking forward to reading it. As an adult, I’m now more aware of the notion of duality when it comes to human beings. The national and international events of recent years have made me reflect on the fact that within each of us, there is a good side and a bad side… and that it’s up to us to choose which side we want to show the world.
Then it has been impossible for me not to like “The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde” since this duality is its main theme. It goes even further. Dr Jekyll wants to create a real divide between the two sides, being a human being who can commit the most horrific acts, and become a respectful human being again when he wants to. What’s really interesting is the fact that the author sometimes switches abruptly from ‘I’ to ‘he’. In fact, the evolution from one side to the other is very fascinating. But you have to be careful when the separation occurs…

Stevenson’s writing style is magnificent, almost poetic at times. The way he describes the weather and certain places gives the story an even more mysterious and sinister feel. I loved imagining London from this point of view.

It’s quite an old book which might put some people off, but believe me, it is timeless and a perfect classic.

2. “The Little Lady of the Big House” by Jack London

The story takes place in California, on a large ranch owned by a man called Dick Forest. Dick is an intelligent, successful businessman. He is admired, charming with his family and friends, but terribly racist (he gives racist nicknames to his servants). He is married to Paula Forest, a seemingly perfect woman who succeeds in everything she does. Dick and Paula live together and have no children. The reader can quickly see that Dick tends to neglect his wife in favour of his own business. The couple often throw parties, which is how Evan Graham makes his first appearance in the book. As readers are no fools, they quickly understand the love triangle between Dick, Paula and Graham. Graham quickly falls in love with Paula… and unknowingly creates an irreversible change.

The respect and love between the characters is what I liked about this book. Except for one scene towards the end of the book, and a few words spoken by Graham, the characters always try not to be mean or selfish. They are not generally manipulative or obnoxious. They love each other to the end, despite everything. I won’t talk about how things develop and end, but I can tell you that I think it’s a beautiful story. I also loved the way the characters were portrayed, and indeed it’s impossible not to admire Paula.

The story tends to be predictable at times, but it remains captivating because you can’t guess the ending. The tension becomes increasingly intense and there’s never a dull moment.
The three main characters gradually find themselves in turmoil, and I dare say that you even feel sorry for them and wonder what you would do if you were in their place.

3. “Why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?” by Linda Nochlin

Cindy Sherman, Tracy Emin, Frida Kahlo, Barbara Kruger and Francesca Woodman… these were the names that came to mind when I first saw this book. I was surprised when I saw the question on the book cover, because it didn’t make sense to me at the time. So I bought the book because I wanted to understand why the artist was asking this question and, above all, how she had answered it.

The edition I have read is really interesting as it contains two texts by Linda Nochlin: one written in 1971, and another written in 2006 that completes the first. In the first part, Linda Nochlin argues that white men, institutions and society have long had a monopoly on art history. This is the reason why women artists have been excluded from art history. Women artists were ignored because some people thought that they didn’t have the talent, the genius of male artists… and that women artists should concentrate on their husbands and their children, instead of trying to make art.
They also had a very limited right to education. I laughed grudgingly when I discovered that, for a long time, women were not allowed to take part in a nude modelling course… while we know that the study of bodies is more than important for progress. The author also mentions that there were no women artists like Rembrandt, Delacroix, Picasso and Warhol. When I read this excerpt, at first I felt unsettled, even angry, but then I realised that Linda Nochlin was right. There have been no such women artists because they were prevented from doing what they wanted, and as for those who succeeded despite the obstacles, art history ignored them for a very long time.

The second text shows that nowadays things are looking much better: women artists are increasingly present and don’t hesitate to use a wide range of media. It was at this point that I realised something: most of the women artists I thought of when I discovered this book had made a name for themselves between the publication of the first book and the writing of the second. Since then, things have improved. Minds have opened up and women artists are freer, but let’s never take anything for granted.

4. “Pop&Psy” by Jean-Victor Blanc

‘Pop&Psy’ is a very good book, because it is extremely relevant, easy to understand and very well structured.
The author (who’s also a doctor) talks about disorders such as bipolarity, depression, OCD, schizophrenia, eating disorders, addictions and so on. He also discusses treatments such as antidepressants, electroconvulsive therapy, etc.
As the title suggests, this book deals with the representation of these subjects in pop culture (Mommy, Happiness Therapy, Melancholia, Mrs. Dalloway, Black Swan, Shame, Rambo…). The doctor explains how some representations are fairly faithful to reality, while others are the opposite. We then learn how to distinguish the real from the fake. We also learn how the disorders appear and how they can be treated.
Many famous people suffer from mental health problems (Britney Spears, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Lady Gaga…) and the way the author talks about them removes the feelings of guilt, loneliness and possible prejudice that non-famous people may feel. The author also talks about some of his patients.

So it’s a very complete book that everyone should read (I don’t know if it’s available in English).

5. “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter” by Simone de Beauvoir

Before reading “Memoirs of a Dutiful Daughter”, my knowledge of Simone de Beauvoir was limited to her name and her relationship with Jean-Paul Sartre. So it was by reading her memoirs that I really discovered her, and I have to say that I was delighted to find out more about her in this way. Her childhood, family, the development of her personality, her studies, her friends…the way Simone De Beauvoir tells us her life is simply fascinating. It made me think that she must have been a pretty incredible person. I’ve heard of some controversies, but as I don’t know much about them, so I won’t go into them.

In any case, this book is very well-written. I loved the way Simone De Beauvoir wrote down certain details and memories. I also liked the maturity she quickly acquired and the distance she took from life.

As a human being and woman, this book also upset me. I was horrified by the way Zaza’s parents (Zaza was Simone’s best friend) controlled her life. Sometimes you wish this book was fiction.

6. “The Silence of the Lambs” by Thomas Harris

I was convinced I had watched “The Silence of The Lambs” and knew the whole story, but I soon realised I was wrong… in fact, I only knew parts of it. I then discovered the whole story thanks to the book and I must say that it was a pleasure from beginning to end.

First of all, I loved the idea of creating a story within a story (Hannibal Lecter-Buffalo Bill), it’s so well thought out and executed.
As for Hannibal Lecter, I knew that he was very intelligent and manipulative, so I wasn’t really surprised. On the other hand, I loved discovering the character of Clarice Sterling. As a woman and a student, many men tend to underestimate or even despise her, but her insight, sensitivity and tenacity make Clarice a truly remarkable woman. She proves that she is much stronger than these men, even if she never brags about it.

I also enjoyed the tension in various scenes. I think it must be really difficult for an author to convey that feeling in words alone. And in the case of ‘Silence of the Lambs’, it’s easy to see that Thomas Harris has totally succeeded in scaring us. Just think of the first meeting between Clarice and Hannibal, the moment when she searches the car or the scene in the lift.

7. “Edward Hopper’s New York” by Kim Conaty, Melinda Lang, Kirsty Bell, Darby English, David Hartt, Farris Wahbeh, David Crane, and Jennie Goldstein.

As a great admirer of Hopper’s artworks, I thought I knew everything about them and the painter’s life. This book made me see things differently, and I loved it.
I also loved discovering the archives that have been donated to the Whitney Museum!

8. “The Vow” by Lindsay Chase

This story contains elements I’m not usually interested in: the 19th century, a remote area in America, a family business, love and family stories. So I wasn’t sure how I was going to feel when reading this book. Well… I absolutely loved it! I was hooked through the entire reading.
It’s captivating, well-written, and you never know how it’s going to evolve.

I also loved the realistic way the author depicted the patriarchal society, the limited roles society wants to give to women, and Hannah (the main character), who chooses to go beyond that. It felt so good to see her grow, face various obstacles, and become stronger and stronger.

9. “Monsters: A Fan’s Dilemma” by Claire Dederer

I’ve always considered “Repulsion” and “Rosemary’s Baby” to be very good films. I listened to and sang some Noir Désir’s songs when I was in my twenties. I got older, took a step back and ended up realizing that I couldn’t and, above all, no longer wanted to separate the art from the artist. I no longer watch Polanski’s films because I can’t help but think of what he said and did when I see something related to him. I can’t listen to Bertrand Cantat’s voice anymore, as I can’t forget that he beat Marie Trintignant and that led to her death.

I don’t know if I’ll change my mind one day (I don’t think so, to be honest), but I like to know what people think about this topic, so I jumped on this book when I found it.

There’s no answer in this book. In fact, the author tells us that the answer belongs to each of us. There’s no right or wrong way to consume our culture. Plus, no one can decide for us. But there’s still no disappointment in this book: in fact, we discover a reflection on love and its limits. It’s smart, intimate, never imposing and really well done.

10. “Diane Arbus, a biography” by Patricia Bosworth

I wish this book had no ending.

Patricia Bosworth takes us into Diane Arbus’s life chronologically and offers us an amazing story. It’s full of encounters, important moments, comments, while never being intrusive or boring.

I loved discovering Diane Arbus’ life through this book. Patricia Bosworth presents us with a highly sensitive, passionate, smart, fascinating, modest and ‘weird’ person. The kind of person I would have loved to meet.