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Les Faux Fuyants
Book by Sagan, Francoise
243 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1991
17 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Françoise Sagan
251 books1,674 followersBorn Françoise Quoirez, Sagan grew up in a French Catholic, bourgeois family. She was an independent thinker and avid reader as a young girl, and upon failing her examinations for continuing at the Sorbonne, she became a writer.
She went to her family's home in the south of France and wrote her first novel, Bonjour Tristesse, at age 18. She submitted it to Editions Juillard in January 1954 and it was published that March. Later that year, She won the Prix des Critiques for Bonjour Tristesse.
She chose "Sagan" as her pen name because she liked the sound of it and also liked the reference to the Prince and Princesse de Sagan, 19th century Parisians, who are said to be the basis of some of Marcel Proust's characters.
She was known for her love of drinking, gambling, and fast driving. Her habit of driving fast was moderated after a serious car accident in 1957 involving her Aston Martin while she was living in Milly, France.
Sagan was twice married and divorced, and subsequently maintained several long-term lesbian relationships. First married in 1958 to Guy Schoeller, a publisher, they divorced in 1960, and she was then married to Robert James Westhoff, an American ceramicist and sculptor, from 1962 to 63. She had one son, Denis, from her second marriage.
She won the Prix de Monaco in 1984 in recognition of all of her work.
She went to her family's home in the south of France and wrote her first novel, Bonjour Tristesse, at age 18. She submitted it to Editions Juillard in January 1954 and it was published that March. Later that year, She won the Prix des Critiques for Bonjour Tristesse.
She chose "Sagan" as her pen name because she liked the sound of it and also liked the reference to the Prince and Princesse de Sagan, 19th century Parisians, who are said to be the basis of some of Marcel Proust's characters.
She was known for her love of drinking, gambling, and fast driving. Her habit of driving fast was moderated after a serious car accident in 1957 involving her Aston Martin while she was living in Milly, France.
Sagan was twice married and divorced, and subsequently maintained several long-term lesbian relationships. First married in 1958 to Guy Schoeller, a publisher, they divorced in 1960, and she was then married to Robert James Westhoff, an American ceramicist and sculptor, from 1962 to 63. She had one son, Denis, from her second marriage.
She won the Prix de Monaco in 1984 in recognition of all of her work.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
July 21, 2022
I read an English translation with the title Evasion, translated by Elfreda Powell. This edition is 201 pages.
A favourite story scenario of a group of very different people come together under extraordinary circumstances, in this case two groups, wealthy sophisticated Parisians and rural French peasant farmers. And within each group a diverse collection of characters.
What I love the most is the positivity of the characters embracing the other.
Françoise Sagan never disappoints.
A favourite story scenario of a group of very different people come together under extraordinary circumstances, in this case two groups, wealthy sophisticated Parisians and rural French peasant farmers. And within each group a diverse collection of characters.
What I love the most is the positivity of the characters embracing the other.
Françoise Sagan never disappoints.
October 6, 2016
En roman om ett dekadent gäng parisare som fastnar på en gård på franska landsbygden under andra världskriget. Har inte direkt den koncentration som är Bonjour tristesse stora tillgång, utan är en roman som är all over the place, radar upp märkliga händelser utan en skugga av utvecklingsbåge. Även om en del av gestalterna, som den homosexuelle diplomaten Loïc Lhermitte, är minnesvärda.
November 5, 2022
Evasion is the story of four pretentious individuals fleeing Paris due to the Nazi advance into France in 1940. They end up at an isolated farmhouse for a short time, where all the city v. rural, real life v. artificial life, and other comparisons are demonstrated by the characters. It is not the most compelling book, but it is an interesting read. The ending was unexpected, and necessary I think, but overall the book was no more than "okay".
April 13, 2024
Exceptionnel ! Françoise Sagan signe un livre synique, drôle, plein de vie. Le choc des cultures entre des parisiens fuyants la capitale en 1940 et des paysans de la Beauce qui parlent patois et travaillent la terre en bote croteuses et non en souliers cirés . La fin me bouleverse ! Quel ouvrage ! Merci Mme Sagan !
September 4, 2018
Une comédie de genre ... pas mon genre du tout. Léger, supposé être comique; une parodie. Mais pour moi les gens "BCBG"(Bon Chique Bon Genre) qui jouent aux fermiers, c'est pas mon truc. Ça ne me donne pas envie de lire un autre livre d'elle. J'ai fini par donner le livre à une bibliothèque en Angleterre...
December 17, 2017
This is a story about a clash of cultures. The four bourgeois escaping Paris in June 1940 are confronted by an alien world of life on a farm. The peasants meet these larger than life Parisian characters whose lives they had no idea about. But then, neither group have realised the enormity of the catastrophe that has befallen France and Europe.
Les Faux-Fuyants was published in 1991, 37 years after Bonjour Tristesse, the first and most famous novel by Françoise Sagan. And what development and maturity in her writing, character, plot and style! Her characters are more fully drawn and there’s more satire and humour.
Diane, Loic, Bruno et Luce drive west on leaving Paris in their Chenard Walcker, and reach the region of Beauce when they are machine-gunned by German aircraft. From the moment they take shelter in the farm until just before the end of the book, there is little further mention of the Germans or the war. Why? Perhaps the war is just a pretext her tale.
Nevertheless, the farm is haven of peace, so different to their normal city life, and the encroaching war. “The rats of the town are staying with the rats of the fields”.
The book is as much a comedy, farce and tragedy as a comment on the social divisions of 1940s France; between the upper middle classes and those eeking out a living on their farms, and between Paris and “la France profunde”. We have great fun laughing at these four bourgeois trying to get by in a world totally foreign to them: the countryside, especially the pomposity of Bruno. The book doesn’t really have any deeper levels, other than mocking everyone. But that’s just fine.
"I do not know if you realise, Loïc, but since this morning we have been machine-gunned three or four times, our driver was killed before our eyes, our car demolished and burned, our host was shot in the ankle, his horses started galloping and it's a miracle that I was able to control them."
See French version of this review at lesliaisonsliteraires.co.uk
Les Faux-Fuyants was published in 1991, 37 years after Bonjour Tristesse, the first and most famous novel by Françoise Sagan. And what development and maturity in her writing, character, plot and style! Her characters are more fully drawn and there’s more satire and humour.
Diane, Loic, Bruno et Luce drive west on leaving Paris in their Chenard Walcker, and reach the region of Beauce when they are machine-gunned by German aircraft. From the moment they take shelter in the farm until just before the end of the book, there is little further mention of the Germans or the war. Why? Perhaps the war is just a pretext her tale.
Nevertheless, the farm is haven of peace, so different to their normal city life, and the encroaching war. “The rats of the town are staying with the rats of the fields”.
The book is as much a comedy, farce and tragedy as a comment on the social divisions of 1940s France; between the upper middle classes and those eeking out a living on their farms, and between Paris and “la France profunde”. We have great fun laughing at these four bourgeois trying to get by in a world totally foreign to them: the countryside, especially the pomposity of Bruno. The book doesn’t really have any deeper levels, other than mocking everyone. But that’s just fine.
"I do not know if you realise, Loïc, but since this morning we have been machine-gunned three or four times, our driver was killed before our eyes, our car demolished and burned, our host was shot in the ankle, his horses started galloping and it's a miracle that I was able to control them."
See French version of this review at lesliaisonsliteraires.co.uk
July 21, 2024
Paru en 1991, les faux fuyants est un roman écrit par Françoise Sagan lors de sa convalescence en bord de mer.
Sur la route de Beauce, dans la campagne loin de Paris, un groupe de 4 mondains fuit la capitale et les Stukas allemands dans l’espoir de rejoindre Lisbonne et de s’enfuir vers New-York.
Mitraillée, la voiture se retrouve vite hors d’usage et le petit groupe n’a d’autres choix que de séjourner chez les Henri, paysants leur offrant le logis.
Mais le gîte n’est pas gratuit et Diane, Luce, Loïc et Bruno vont devoir aider à faire tourner la ferme s’il souhaite rester à bord et en sécurité.
Ce choc de cultures décrit par Françoise Sagant est à la fois hilarant et rafraîchissant. Le grotesque n’a aucune limite a travers la finesse de l’écriture de l’autrice.
Du vrai bonheur !
Sur la route de Beauce, dans la campagne loin de Paris, un groupe de 4 mondains fuit la capitale et les Stukas allemands dans l’espoir de rejoindre Lisbonne et de s’enfuir vers New-York.
Mitraillée, la voiture se retrouve vite hors d’usage et le petit groupe n’a d’autres choix que de séjourner chez les Henri, paysants leur offrant le logis.
Mais le gîte n’est pas gratuit et Diane, Luce, Loïc et Bruno vont devoir aider à faire tourner la ferme s’il souhaite rester à bord et en sécurité.
Ce choc de cultures décrit par Françoise Sagant est à la fois hilarant et rafraîchissant. Le grotesque n’a aucune limite a travers la finesse de l’écriture de l’autrice.
Du vrai bonheur !
June 15, 2017
Я начинала эту книгу слушать в формате радиоспектакля, но голоса читающих отвлекали от главного - ироничного, порой, очень тонкого голоса самого автора. Любопытно, как играя со своими героями, бросая их из огня, да в полымя, автор заставляет нас привязаться и понять каждого из них, чтобы в конце ущипнуть читателя, как бы пробуждая ото сна - окольными путями, так или иначе - от судьбы не уйдёшь.
October 29, 2025
Drôle jusqu’à l’avant dernière page, quelle chute !
On reconnaît bien le style de Sagan (pas certain d’en être un grand fan btw).
« Pour provoquer le chagrin et les larmes il faut des circonstances précises, un décor, des détails que ne demandent pas, Dieu, merci, le plaisir et le bonheur, lesquels s’accommodent d’un canevas plus flou »
On reconnaît bien le style de Sagan (pas certain d’en être un grand fan btw).
« Pour provoquer le chagrin et les larmes il faut des circonstances précises, un décor, des détails que ne demandent pas, Dieu, merci, le plaisir et le bonheur, lesquels s’accommodent d’un canevas plus flou »
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 3, 2025
I decided to add a star for killing these insufferable characters in the end, I hated literally all of them and hated following their train of thought even more. She should kill them at page 20 and let us move on with our lives bc come on….
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 8, 2025
On rentre très facilement dedans grâce a l’ironie mordante de Sagan. Certaines scènes et les personnages sont tellement comiques et absurdes que je suis étonnée que personne n’ai jamais pensé à adapter ce roman en privé de théâtre ou en film.
August 13, 2019
"Φυγή χωρίς επιστροφή". εκδόσεις Λιβάνη.
August 18, 2019
Удивительный бред. ))
September 27, 2020
Coup de coeur. Françoise Sagan se moque ouvertement de ses personnages et parodie les comportements des gens de la ville pour leur donner une bonne leçon.
Très bien écrit.
Très bien écrit.
April 15, 2023
Удивительно светлая и жизнеутвердительная повесть несмотря на концовку и постоянное напоминание о войне
January 23, 2025
Drôle mais un peu "quand les bourgeois se moquent des bourgeois"
November 16, 2025
Η ιστορία διαδραματίζεται σε ένα πολυτελές κρουαζιερόπλοιο που ταξιδεύει από τη Χάβρη προς τον Παναμά. Οι επιβάτες του είναι πλούσιοι, κοσμικοί άνθρωποι, οι οποίοι, παρά την επιφάνεια της χλιδής και της διασκέδασης, κουβαλούν όλοι τους προσωπικά δράματα, ματαιώσεις και υπαρξιακά κενά.
Η Κλάρις, μια γυναίκα που προσπαθεί να διαφύγει από την επερχόμενη τρίτη ηλικία και τη μοναξιά, αναζητώντας απεγνωσμένα ένα τελευταίο, δυνατό πάθος.Ο Έρικ, ένας γοητευτικός άνδρας που προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει από μια ερωτική απογοήτευση. Μια σειρά από άλλους χαρακτήρες (επιχειρηματίες, καλλιτέχνες, κοσμικοί) που όλοι αναζητούν κάτι: αγάπη, λύτρωση, διαφυγή από το παρελθόν ή απλώς επιβεβαίωση.
Κατά τη διάρκεια του ταξιδιού, αναπτύσσονται ερωτικές ίντριγκες, παρεξηγήσεις και ανατροπές. Οι χαρακτήρες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι με τις επιλογές τους, τα ψέματά τους και τη φθορά των σχέσεων τους.
Η "φυγή χωρίς επιστροφή" δεν είναι απλώς το ταξίδι του πλοίου, αλλά η αδυναμία των ηρώων να επιστρέψουν σε μια κατάσταση αθωότητας ή γνήσιας ευτυχίας. Η Σαγκάν αναδεικνύει τη ματαιότητα του κοσμικού τρόπου ζωής και την αναπόφευκτη μελαγχολία που κρύβεται πίσω από τη λαμπερή πρόσοψη.
Σύσταση:Γρήγορη, απλή αφήγηση, ωραίοι χαρακτήρες.
Η Κλάρις, μια γυναίκα που προσπαθεί να διαφύγει από την επερχόμενη τρίτη ηλικία και τη μοναξιά, αναζητώντας απεγνωσμένα ένα τελευταίο, δυνατό πάθος.Ο Έρικ, ένας γοητευτικός άνδρας που προσπαθεί να ξεφύγει από μια ερωτική απογοήτευση. Μια σειρά από άλλους χαρακτήρες (επιχειρηματίες, καλλιτέχνες, κοσμικοί) που όλοι αναζητούν κάτι: αγάπη, λύτρωση, διαφυγή από το παρελθόν ή απλώς επιβεβαίωση.
Κατά τη διάρκεια του ταξιδιού, αναπτύσσονται ερωτικές ίντριγκες, παρεξηγήσεις και ανατροπές. Οι χαρακτήρες έρχονται αντιμέτωποι με τις επιλογές τους, τα ψέματά τους και τη φθορά των σχέσεων τους.
Η "φυγή χωρίς επιστροφή" δεν είναι απλώς το ταξίδι του πλοίου, αλλά η αδυναμία των ηρώων να επιστρέψουν σε μια κατάσταση αθωότητας ή γνήσιας ευτυχίας. Η Σαγκάν αναδεικνύει τη ματαιότητα του κοσμικού τρόπου ζωής και την αναπόφευκτη μελαγχολία που κρύβεται πίσω από τη λαμπερή πρόσοψη.
Σύσταση:Γρήγορη, απλή αφήγηση, ωραίοι χαρακτήρες.
August 21, 2015
Libro tardío de la autora de Bonjour Tristesse, cuando ya estaba arruinada y consumida por las drogas. No está al mismo nivel que su libro más famoso ni de lejos.
La ironía y cinismo que pretende transmitir solo está conseguido en algunos capítulos, que consiguen sacar una sonrisa.
Los personajes principales son todos despreciables e insoportables, esto está hecho a propósito, pero sin llegar a saber si al final debemos sentir pena por ellos o intentar comprenderlos o simplemente alegrarnos de sus desgracias y pensar que el mundo está mejor sin ellos.
Lo mejor del libro es que es corto y la historia es justita para no hacerse pesada del todo aunque no tenga una trama identificable.
La ironía y cinismo que pretende transmitir solo está conseguido en algunos capítulos, que consiguen sacar una sonrisa.
Los personajes principales son todos despreciables e insoportables, esto está hecho a propósito, pero sin llegar a saber si al final debemos sentir pena por ellos o intentar comprenderlos o simplemente alegrarnos de sus desgracias y pensar que el mundo está mejor sin ellos.
Lo mejor del libro es que es corto y la historia es justita para no hacerse pesada del todo aunque no tenga una trama identificable.
December 2, 2011
Да, очень мило, не зря мне её Ирина Александровна её посоветовала. Дополнительный бонус в том, что это ОЧЕНЬ похоже на наш с И.А. третий роман))) сцена со спасением Брюно дурачком Жаном и их разговором на африканском диалекте открывает великолепный, без шуток, комический талант Саган, но... но это опять-таки как Дюморье: для своего времени было нереально свежо и круто, а сейчас... ну, забавно, не более того.
March 24, 2012
Que est ce passe-t'il quand un groupe d'hommes et de femmes, qui n'ont que leurs personnages et prétentions en lieu d'une personnalité, se retrouvent à force des événements, non sans leur implication précédente, dans une situation ou leur images mondaines ne valent rien, où leurs conventions sociales ne sont qu'un mauvais rêve.
August 2, 2012
Got about halfway through, but it's really too annoying to continue with. Two stars because I assume that this, to some extent, is due to the translation.
January 4, 2017
Une chronique très réussie sur la France de juin 1940, où quatre mondains parisiens trouvent refuge dans une ferme de la Beauce pendant leur fuite de la capitale.
February 11, 2013
It's so sad and kind of hopeless:(
November 5, 2013
English version. Not bad, the mockery part is fun - can be turned into a J-L Godard film.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews