Bonjour Tristesse and A Certain Smile

The story follows 16 year old Cécile, who has up until now been leading a life of carefree frivolity together with her father and his many constantly changing mistresses. Yet everything changes for them, when during a sun drenched summer on the Riviera, her father decides to remarry. Filled with beautiful prose, rich descriptions of the gorgeous summer setting and the slightly unhinged and self-important thoughts of a teenage girl, this melodramatic story will constantly entice you to keep reading. I simply couldn't help wanting to find out just how far Cécile would go in order to escape boredom and fulfill her desire to live a life of pleasures. I did find the characters highly unlikeable at points, although I believe this to be perfectly fitting for the story, as their behavior keeps you thoroughly entertained and curious until the end. (and hopefully makes the reader a little reflective on the choices we make)