The Possession

Self-regard, in the works of Annie Ernaux, is always an excruciatingly painful and exact process. Here, she revisits the peculiar kind of self-fulfillment possible when we examine ourselves in the aftermath of a love affair, and sometimes, even, through the eyes of the lost beloved.

Born in 1940, Annie Ernaux grew up in Normandy. From 1977 to 2000, she was a professor at the Centre National d'Enseignement par Correspondance. In 1984, she won the Prix Renaudot for her book "La Place." Eight of her novels have been published in America, including "A Woman's Story," a "New York Times" Notable Book; and "A Man's Place," a "New York Times" Notable Book and a finalist for the "Los Angeles Times" Book Prize. Some of her recent works include "L'evenement" (2000), "Seperdre" (2001), and "L'usage de la photo" (2005).

This edition has been translated by Anna Moschovakis, who also translated "The Brasseries of Paris" (2007) by Francois Thomazeau and "The Engagement" (2007) by Georges Simenon.