Fiction, 1965

A wonderful piece of fiction, probably best described as a ‘novella’ – in which a starving, struggling middle-aged woman struggles around Paris, centring herself on routines and the tricky spins on he everyday goings-on, before she finds a fox fur and tries to sell it. That’s pretty much all there is, plot-wise, but the evocations of hunger, shame and pride could sustain a much longer piece. While the third person narrative is used, the dive into the Lady’s world is dramatic and all consuming and offers a strong, particularised view of a world which is hostile towards her. A remarkable book to pore over and soak up, rather than speed through for high octane action.