How to Behave in a Crowd

June 12, 2017
Bordas’s intriguing first novel in English (after two in French) consists of the personal narrative of Isidore (Dory) Mazal from age 11 to 14 as he struggles to understand his family, his hometown in France, and what little he sees of the world. Dory’s quest for understanding is complicated by a tendency to take things literally, as well as by the limitations of his gifted but socially awkward older siblings: Leonard, relentlessly working on his sociology thesis; Jeremie, a talented cellist who refuses to play professionally; Berenice and Aurore, recently minted Ph.D.s adrift outside graduate school; and precocious high schooler Simone, already preparing her own biography. During summer beach vacations, each withdraws into his or her special interest; only Dory and his father go in the water. The father travels so much the rest of the year that his fatal heart attack barely interrupts family routine. To help his widowed mother through each night, Dory talks her to sleep or reads to her. He invites an internet contact to dinner as a possible suitor, but the siblings mock their guest. After multiple attempts to run away from home, Dory finds that the more he gets to know people, the less he understands. His German teacher, Herr Coffin, suggests that intellectual and emotional experience, in art at least, are mutually exclusive. Bordas’s novel, with its humor and sadness, beauty and bluntness, youthful perspective and mature insight, proves otherwise.

Starred review from May 1, 2017
Set in France, Bordas' first novel in English is the story of the coming-of-age of its narrator, 12-year-old Isidore, whose family calls him Dory. One of six brilliant children (his three oldest siblings are on track to receive their PhDs by the age of 24), Dory is something of an odd man out, less gifted, perhaps, than his siblings but with an excellent memory and a talent for noticing things, whichthinking himself phlegmatiche reports in an often-affectless voice, even when he recounts the unexpected death of his father. But there is more here than meets the eyeor ear. As readers come to know more about Dory, they realize he is, perhaps unwittingly, a central figure in his family, even though he attempts to run away from it half a dozen times with little success. On one of these excursions, he has sex for the first time. Meanwhile, at school, he has a growing friendship with Denise, who is both anorexic and clinically depressed. She will be responsible for a show of violent emotion from Dory, one that surprises and emotionally engages the reader, who has become accustomed to a more distant, intellectual involvement with Dory's life. The fusion brings to a conclusion this deeply satisfying work of literary fiction.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2017, American Library Association.)

June 15, 2017

Isidore Mazal, known as Dory, is a charming narrator, average, agreeable, and kindhearted. An extrovert in a family of brilliant introverts, the youngest of six children, he is the only one who hasn't skipped a grade in school. His brother Jeremie is seen as the rebel for getting two masters degrees; in this family, earning a PhD is the norm. Even high schooler Simone has plans for a doctorate. Dory has less academic concerns. His best friend at school is depressed, and Dory's nonjudgmental, unsentimental support of her exemplifies his approach to the world. He treats everyone and their problems equally, without pity but with plenty of empathy. Dory loses his father, his best friend, and his virginity with a steadfast practicality as he negotiates his independence both within and apart from his family. This dramedy won't cause readers to laugh out loud but is refreshing and enjoyable and will make readers nostalgic for the best parts of their awkward childhoods. Although set in France, award-winning French writer Bordas's English-language debut doesn't have a strong sense of place; U.S. readers will find the family and the town relatable. VERDICT Highly recommended for readers interested in coming-of-age and dysfunctional family novels. [See Prepub Alert, 2/20/17.]--Pamela Mann, St. Mary's Coll. Lib., MD

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2017

Award-winning French writer Bordas, who moved here in 2012 with her American husband and began writing in English, debuts her first English-language novel after publishing the story "Most Die Young" in The New Yorker. Her protagonist is 11-year-old Isidore Mazal, whose five older siblings are all astonishingly accomplished. Isadore isn't so precocious, but he's thoughtful and perceptive, and he saves the day when tragedy strikes.

Copyright 2017 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.