Beautiful Nights is the story of Claire, a middle aged, (if
we still think the mid-forties are middle aged,) esteemed professor of human
behavior in Paris. From the outside, Claire has success, a happy marriage, a
grown son and a good life. Internally though, she is trapped, by expectations,
achievements, status and the very things that are supposed to make her happy.
She is aware of her husband’s many affairs, and her answer is not to confront
him, but to lose her inhibitions in one-night stands where she doesn’t even know
the name of her partner.
Her grandmother, Jeanne, has left a large vacation home on
the coast of Breton to Claire, and as they have every year of her marriage, the
family travels there for the summer holidays. The only difference is that this
year, Claire’s son brings along his 19-year-old girlfriend, Julie, who he wants
to marry.
Julie is another very well-developed character, trapped in a
world of working menial jobs to get by when what she really wants is to sing,
which she never does in public. Clair and Julie’s relationship is strained at
first, but after Claire teaches Julie to swim, they recognize kindred spirits
in one another and pursue a relationship that gives each of them the courage to
seek her true happiness.
The writing is gorgeous, and it made me wish I spoke French
so I could read it in the original. The sentiments of femininity and the place
of women in the world reminded me of
1899
novel by Kate Chopin,
The Awakening, condemned at first for its depiction
of female sexuality. Both heroines want more… fulfillment, expression of their
own opinions and desires in a male dominated world, and acceptance of their
sexuality. While Edna, in The Awakening, walks into the sea and never returns,
Claire swims so far out she might be expected to be lost, but using her own
strength, returns, to claim what she desires. While Edna pursues men, Claire’s
object is Julie. The development of their passion, and the differences between
them create a sensitive story of the choices, given time, space, and freedom,
maturity lets Claire, and women for that matter, develop healthy and balanced
lives.
I loved the writing, particularly the descriptions and, as a
swimmer, the sea. I found the story to drag a bit though, with repetition and
changing viewpoints that detracted from its strength. I’d recommend this book
for mature readers who are not disturbed or embarrassed by same sex relationships,
and who can appreciate the confused thoughts of a woman in this age.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the
review copy of Beautiful Nights. The book was published July 25, 2025.
