Book Signing Event - Stephanie Schechner : Mireille Best’s translator

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

Stephanie will talk of 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,  how a translation is in many aspects an interpretation of someone else's writing and thinking.

She will also read extracts from the books.

Following the presentation, Philippe Poirier, Executive Director of the Alliance, will lead a conversation with our guest for that special event and facilitate a live Q&A 

Enjoy refreshments and purchase signed copies of both books presented, Camille in October (2019) and Hymn to Moray Eels (2025), both Seagull Books distributed in the US by University of Chicago Press summaries

Book summaries - Hymn to Moray Eels

“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

Translator bio

Stephanie Schechner is a Professor Emerita of French at Widener University, Pennsylvania, and has published extensively 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 previously published a translation of Mireille Best’s novel Camille in October.

Author bio

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 but participants are also encouraged to pre-order them in French or in English at the links above

Note that this event will be held in English and French.

Event Information

Day: 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