Breaking Away – Anna Gavalda (2009, trans. Alison Anderson 2011) 143 pages
Breaking Away is a simply plotted novella which appears deceptively straightforward in its storytelling, but builds towards a meaningful resolution.
Garance is in her late twenties and cadges a lift to a wedding with her brother Simon and annoying sister in law Carine. The characterisation of Carine starts the novella off on an enjoyably bitchy note as the chaotic Garance, who has stayed up all night playing poker and is waxing her legs on the backseat, offends beauty pharmacist Carine’s sensibilities.
“Carine is utterly perplexed. She consoles herself by stirring sugarless sugar into a coffee without caffeine.”
They stop and pick up another sibling, Lola, who likes to conspire with Garance to wind up Carine. At which point I began to feel for Carine – maybe she wouldn’t be such a nightmare if the siblings weren’t so cliquey and excluding. At this point though, the portrait of Carine does modify slightly.
“She may be a first class pain but she does like to please others. Credit where credit is due.
And she really doesn’t like to leave pores in a state of shock. It breaks her heart.”
Their fourth sibling, Vincent, isn’t at the wedding, so the three of them leave Carine and bunk off to go and collect him. Garance reflects on her various siblings’ trials and tribulations and how their upbringing has influenced who they are. She decides her parents are culpable:
“Because they’re the ones who taught us about books and music. Who talked to us about other things and forced us to see things in a different light. To aim higher and further. But they also forgot to give us confidence, because they thought that would come naturally. That we had a special gift for life, and compliments might spoil our egos.
They got it wrong.
The confidence never came.
So here we are. Sublime losers.”
But the humour in the novella stops it being self-pitying. In fact, the four of them are doing OK. They’re just enjoying taking a rare moment to spend time together.
Breaking Away captures a moment in time for the four siblings, and has an elegiac quality, for time past and relationships that must inevitably change. The tone isn’t sad however, more resolute; it’s about how love endures beyond all the external changes.
“What we were experiencing at that moment – something all four of us were aware of – was a windfall. Borrowed time, an interlude, a moment of grace. A few hours stolen from other people.”
To end, plenty of songs are name-checked in Breaking Away, including this one which “taught us more English than all our teachers put together”:
another great pick!
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Thanks Liz!
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Ah, Anna Gavalda, an author I’d like to try at some point. The elegiac, steadfast tone sounds very appealing, as does the premise. I may have to invest…
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It’s a simple tale, but the characterisation is excellent and the situation very believable. I hope you enjoy it Jacqui. The humour is fun too!
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Another one I’ve read and enjoyed, bought mostly because we once owned a red 2CV.
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2CVs are lovely, they always make me smile. Great to hear you enjoyed this Susan – hopefully I’ll manage some unknown titles for you before the end of the month 🙂
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Unfortunately they have a tendency to catch fire! I’m sure you will.
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I can see how that would be a drawback 😀
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This actually sounds like a fun read, rather than a sad one.
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Yes, it’s quite well-balanced, there is a sadness there but overall its funny, slightly bittersweet story.
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Sounds like another good choice – especially with Jarvis and 2CVs – perfect! 😀
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Jarvis and a 2CV = perfect Sunday entertainment 😀
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Sounds like a fun afternoon read!
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Yes, it’s a quick read and perfect for an afternoon!
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Another new one for me! Thanks for Jarvis too!!
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You’re welcome Jane, glad you enjoyed Pulp!
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“She consoles herself by stirring sugarless sugar into a coffee without caffeine.” Hahaha – perfect line! So much info and humour too. Oh, dear, I like the sound of this one…
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I really enjoyed the humour in this 😀 Sharp enough, but not bitter, Go on FF, you know you want to 😉
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I want to comment on the same line–it’s so good! sugarless sugar into a coffee without caffeine. It reminds me of a scene from the movie LA Story: ”I’ll have a decaf coffee….I’ll have a decaf espresso….I’ll have a double decaf cappuccino….Do you have any decaffeinated coffee ice cream? I’ll have a double decaf, half caf, with a twist of lemon.” Then the rest of the stick-thin women around the table start echoing “I’ll have a twist of lemon.”
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I’d forgotten that scene – brilliant 😀 I remember seeing an actor interviewed a few years back and she was asked about her coffee choice and I absolutely knew she was going to say skinny decaf soy latte – and she did! What’s the point?!
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I like the idea of the gathering of grown – I know it’s always entertaining when all my siblings are together!
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Anything can happen at a gathering of grown ups with a shared history! This gathering has a certain quiet quality because they know in a way it’s a sort of goodbye, but it is very entertaining 🙂
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I like the look of this one.
I also love that film clip…
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It’s a nice, quick read. That Pulp video really took me back 🙂
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