Lie with Me

A Novel

By: Philippe Besson, Molly Ringwald - translator

Narrated by: Jacques Roy

The Advocate’s Best Gay Novel of 2019

A New York Times Book Review Editor’s Choice

O, The Oprah Magazine’s Best LGBTQ Books That'll Change the Literary Landscape in 2019

The Wall Street Journal’s 10 Books You’ll Want to Read this Spring

Out's Best Queer Books of April 2019

TheSkimm’s LGBTQ+ books to celebrate Pride

“Stunning and heart-gripping.” (André Aciman, author of Call Me by Your Name)

The award-winning, best-selling French novel by Philippe Besson - “the French Brokeback Mountain” (Elle) - about an affair between two teenage boys in 1984 France, translated with subtle beauty and haunting lyricism by the iconic and internationally acclaimed actress/writer Molly Ringwald.

We drive at high speed along back roads, through woods, vineyards, and oat fields. The bike smells like gasoline and makes a lot of noise, and sometimes I’m frightened when the wheels slip on the gravel on the dirt road, but the only thing that matters is that I’m holding on to him, that I’m holding on to him outside.

Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. What follows is a look back at the relationship he’s never forgotten, a hidden affair with a gorgeous boy named Thomas during their last year of high school. Without ever acknowledging they know each other in the halls, they steal time to meet in secret, carrying on a passionate, world-altering affair.

Dazzlingly rendered in English by Ringwald in her first-ever translation, Besson’s powerfully moving coming-of-age story captures the eroticism and tenderness of first love - and the heartbreaking passage of time.

©2019 Philippe Besson (P)2019 Simon & Schuster

Great Sadness

It was awfully sad ! I wanted a happily gay ending :/ Daymn! But in all, I highly recommend this beautiful novel and the audio book is well performed

Deserving of the Plaudits

Passion...heart...well placed. It's been a while since I read (listened to) a book and wanted more in the end. Great job by the author.

Unsatisfying Ultimately

I regret that the author didn’t flesh out Lucas’ character more. The book, while eminently readable, seemed too self-centered to me. It could have been much more compelling.

Poetic story

This was a very well written and narrated book. Almost like a poem in its flow and emotion. I plan to listen to it again and marvel in its construction.

Beautiful

This book was so beautiful. Simple, profound, achingly sad. It was never rushed and yet so much was packed into just over 3 hours. The narration fit the text just perfectly for me. LOVED IT!

Great story, excellent performance

A very good story and an excellent reading. I do wish it were a little bit longer, just to flesh things out a little more and give the characters a little more depth (individually and as a pair), but ultimately it's a complete story that I enjoyed listening to. More importantly, it actually made me care about the characters. Definitely recommend this one (and not just to gay men).

One of the most beautiful love stories

I was sick today with a low grade fever and had to drive long distance due to family obligation. I downloaded and listened to the entire book in one sitting and now I am sobbing uncontrollably in my car parked in a gas station on my way to home. The sadness of the ending hits me like a thunderbolt and I have yet recovered from it. Do let go of the love in your life. Life is fleeing. One slip up and you might never get it back.

Lovely!

Such a beautiful story. Written like a memoir, Philippe Besson's Lie With Me is the story of one man's first taste of love, and another man's only taste of happiness. Incredibly romantic, and sadly tragic... lovely.

Jacques Roy does a wonderful job with the narration.

wonderfully written

I was concerned that in translation, something important could have been lost. I can only Wonder what it would be to read this book in its original language. profound and truly spoke to my soul.

Equal to "Call Me by your Name"

The selection of words Philippe Besson uses allow you to feel as though the characters are speaking to you, providing you with feedback to their life's adventure with each other.
Surely hope Besson does a sequel.