L'Exil des Anges by Gilles Legardinier

A new favourite discovered in 2014, Gilles Legardinier is a French writer now known for writing humourous, touching novels, many of them dealing with love stories, most of them with incredibly funny situations reminiscent of the best rom-and-sitcoms. I devoured his four books last year at the suggestion of my wife and loved every single one of them. Before those humouristic books, though, Legardinier had made a name for himself writing thrillers. L’Exil des Anges is one of the better known, an award winner the year it came out. 

Following a small cast of characters caught up in a government conspiracy and dealing with fringe science and reincarnation, L’Exil des Anges was a bit of a disappointment. A world away from the sort of story he tells in his more recent books, L’Exil des Anges also failed to coalesce when it comes to the characters – I didn’t feel particularly interested or invested in either of the three leads. The plotline itself meanders, starting out with the story of two scientists before jumping forward in time. Legardinier’s trademark wit is also lacking and the writing was ponderous, long paragraphs that left the story dragging along. It is probably a good thing that I didn’t start with this or I am not at all sure I would have gone on to read his later, much better works. I’ll probably still have a look at some of his other thrillers, but I am much more interested to see what he writes next instead ! 

I gave L’Exil des Anges two stars.

Et soudain tout change by Gilles Legardinier

Camille et ses amis se connaissent depuis la maternelle. Leur dernière année de lycée les a enfin tous réunis dans la même classe. A quelques mois du bac, en compagnie de sa meilleure amie, Léa, d'Axel, Léo, et toute sa petite bande, la jeune fille découvre joyeusement la vie. Tous se demandent quel chemin ils vont prendre. Ils ignorent encore que d'ici l'été, le destin va leur en faire vivre plus que dans toute une vie.
 
Du meilleur au pire, avec l'énergie de leur âge et leurs espoirs, entre convictions et doutes, entre illusions et réalité, ils vont expérimenter, échanger et affronter. Leur histoire est la nôtre. Bienvenue dans ce que nous partageons de plus beau et qui ne meurt jamais...

In their last year of high school, with the baccalaureat waiting at the end, everything seems to be smiling for Camille, Lea, Axel and their friends. The future is unfolding before them, full of hope and promise. But when tragedy strikes one of them, the group of friends will discover all that life can throw at you and that in a single moment everything can change.

A French writer who started out writing thrillers, in recent years Gilles Legardinier has branched out into writing books about life, books that combine comedy with tragedy, exploring things that speak to all of us and make us what we are: human. In Et soudain tout change... Legardinier has outdone himself, writing a coming-of-age tale that will have you crying and laughing every time you turn the page. Legardinier is one of the best writers I have ever read – and if you know my dislike of reading in French (blame it on my schooling here in France!) you will realise what a compliment that is. His way of getting in to the heads of his characters (whether they be a thirty-something woman, a man in his sixties or a teenage girl on the cusp of adulthood) is nothing short of amazing. I have loved all of his books, but I know that this one will stay with me. If you are lucky enough to be able to read in French, pick it up. Now! You won't regret it. 
 
I gave Et soudain tout change... 5 stars.