Translator and Professor Emerita of French and Gender, Women, and Sexuality Studies, Stephanie Schechner will join us for a presentation and discussion on the work of French author Mireille Best

Stephanie will talk about her research on Mireille Best's novels and how she came about translating some of her work. She will explain the translation process from French into English and how a translation is, in many aspects, an interpretation of someone else's writing and thinking. She will also read extracts from the books Camille in October (2019) and Hymn to Moray Eels (2025). Following the presentation, Philippe Poirier, Executive Director of the Alliance Française de Philadelphie, will lead a discussion and Q&A session with Stephanie. After, linger for refreshments and to purchase signed copies of the presented books.

Book summaries

Hymn to Moray Eels (2025) Seagull Books distributed in the US by University of Chicago Press

“If only you were a boy..."

”Mila is a young lesbian being treated for a mysterious illness in a single-sex sanatorium in 1950s France. Separated from her mother, younger brothers Jan and Tristan and a never-ending series of temporary “Paters”,Mila finds friends of all sorts in the chaotic world of the sanatorium. A lively, funny ensemble cast will enchant readers and keep them laughing. Among them, we find Paule, a staff member, who takes a romantic interest in Mila then later turns cold. Marie, a boy-crazy teen obsessed with losing her virginity, remarks that she would be interested in Mila “if only you were a boy”. The two Nicoles, best friends forever weeping over being separated as roommates, add drama to the regular room changing rituals enacted by the sanatorium director who is afraid the girls will develop “bad habits” if they room together with anyone for too long. The accordion-playing Josette regales them all with her music which recalls the rich, musical backdrop of 1950s France.

The central drama of Mila and Paule’s relationship comes to a head with the arrival of Little Odile, a cute younger girl who Paule takes an interest in. Will Mila withdraw in the face of romantic competition? Or will she rise to the challenge and figure out a creative way to come through the emotional storm? In this quirky tale of a sensitive young woman’s search for her own place in the world, the reader will recall their own experiences of teen lust, love, and friendship. Throughout, Best’s signature sense of humor and fine eye for emotional nuance is in evidence.

Camille in October (2019) Seagull Books distributed in the US by University of Chicago Press

‘My father is dead, I just killed him.’

Camille struggles to figure out who she is and where she fits in the world. She is a young lesbian woman coming of age in a coastal, working-class neighbourhood in 1950s France. Her mother holds the family together. Her father, a war veteran, is largely silent except when his inner rage erupts in violence. Her sister, Ariane, provides comic relief, while her brother, Abel, a construction worker, is a lost soul who suffers from severe seizures. Camille herself can usually be found curled up with a book taking it all in. But an intellectual and sexual relationship with her dentist’s wife opens a world of new possibilities to Camille. Where will this lead her? Suicide, murder, accidental death—all are possible in this unconventional narrative. As a young adult, Camille is not always the most reliable narrator, but she is one that charms with her intelligence, her lack of pretention and her strong sense of connection to her roots. With her, we readers embark on a fundamental—and universal—quest to balance where we come from with who we need to become.

About Stephanie Schechner

Stephanie Schechner is a Professor Emerita of French at Widener University, Pennsylvania and has published extensive works on Mireille Best as well as on other French and Francophone women writers including Jovette Marchessault, Colette, Nathalie Sarraute, Rachilde, Marguerite Duras, and Jocelyne François. She has published a translation of Mireille Best’s novel Camille in October.

About Mireille Best

Mireille Best is the pseudonym of Mireille Lemarchand (1943-2005), who was born and raised in a working-class family in Le Havre, France. Unable to pursue university studies due to health problems, Best worked in a plastics factory after high school and later as a civil servant. Published by the prestigious French press Gallimard, Best wrote four volumes of short stories and three novels.

Books in French : Camille en Octobre (published in France in 1988) Hymne aux murènes (published in France in 1986).
Copies of the books will be available to buy at the event. Participants are also encouraged to pre-order books in French or in English through the links above.
Please note that this event will be held in English and French.

Event Information

Date: Friday, June 5, 2026
Time: 6:30-7:30pm
Duration: 2 hours
Location: Alliance Française de Philadelphie, 1420 Walnut St, Suite 700, Philadelphia
Language: English, French
Cost: Pay what you wish. Suggested donation is $10.

Please submit your donation here: Alliance Française de Philadelphie - Donate

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