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Petite Mort
Mesdames et Messieurs, presenting La Petite Mort, or, A Little Death ... A silent film, destroyed in a fire in 1913 at the Path? studio, before it was seen even by its director. A lowly seamstress, who makes the costumes she should be wearing, but believes her talent - and the secret she keeps too - will soon get her a dressing room of her own. A beautiful house in Paris, with a curving staircase, a lake, and locked rooms. A famous - and dashing - creator of spectacular cinematic illusions, husband to a beautiful, volatile actress, the most adored icon of the Parisian studios. All fit together, like scenes in a movie. And as you will see, this plot has a twist we beg you not to disclose ...
337 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
September 26, 2014
A Novel Salvaged from the Archives of the Cinema Gaumont Pathétique
I recommend this novel to anybody who shares my interest in Paris, film, photography, letters, screenplays, concubines, sisters, doppelgänger, lesbianism, ménages à trois, petites morts, imposture, revenge, theft, murder, suicide, detection, justice, well-constructed plots, economical prose, short chapters, pattern recognition, post-modernism, memento mori and sub-Proustian narrative.
I recommend this novel to anybody who shares my interest in Paris, film, photography, letters, screenplays, concubines, sisters, doppelgänger, lesbianism, ménages à trois, petites morts, imposture, revenge, theft, murder, suicide, detection, justice, well-constructed plots, economical prose, short chapters, pattern recognition, post-modernism, memento mori and sub-Proustian narrative.
July 9, 2015
Adèle Roux is a girl from a small French town who becomes captivated by a silent movie, starring the beautiful Terpsichore, and sets her heart on becoming a star of the silver screen. It's 1913, and she sets off for Paris to make her name and her fortune: but things don't go quite to plan, and instead of succeeding at her first audition, she's packed off to work in the costume department. An escape is offered by handsome producer André Durand, but rather than making her a star (as Adèle hopes), he sets her up as his wife's personal assistant. Said wife turns out to be Terpsichore - real name Luce - and Adèle is soon installed in the Durands' sumptuous mansion, and unwittingly involved in their complicated relationship. Fifty years later, Adèle is telling her life story to a young journalist, Juliette, and it is obvious from the start that she did end up attaining some kind of notoriety, after all. As the two strands of the plot are brought together, the true consequences of Adèle's relationship with both Durands are made devastatingly clear.
From my holiday notebook: Incredibly entertaining and fast-moving tale set in the silent film industry in Paris, c. early 20th century. The narrative is split between past - a first-person story focused on budding movie star Adèle Roux - and 'present' - in 1967 Adèle tells a journalist about her entanglement with a glamorous couple, the Durands, and how this led to her involvement in a famous trial. I noticed a bit of repetition in the narrative (an odd amount of emphasis on thumbs - ?! - and a lot of 'mutinous looks') but this was probably just because I read it quickly. Great background to each part of the plot, it was all fleshed out just enough without getting bogged down in lots of characters' histories. The final twist was interesting but I honestly felt the story was good enough on its own that this wasn't needed. Also, my only real problem with the plot was that it was surely unrealistic that ...? Don't know if I possibly missed something here but it struck me as odd.
Additional notes: Although I must confess this story hasn't lingered in my memory in much detail at all, I really enjoyed reading it. Fantastic characterisation and a lot of developments I didn't expect, and it evoked the setting and era brilliantly. I think I'd have to read it again to give the plot the detailed breakdown it probably deserves, but I remember enough to be certain I would recommend it.
From my holiday notebook: Incredibly entertaining and fast-moving tale set in the silent film industry in Paris, c. early 20th century. The narrative is split between past - a first-person story focused on budding movie star Adèle Roux - and 'present' - in 1967 Adèle tells a journalist about her entanglement with a glamorous couple, the Durands, and how this led to her involvement in a famous trial. I noticed a bit of repetition in the narrative (an odd amount of emphasis on thumbs - ?! - and a lot of 'mutinous looks') but this was probably just because I read it quickly. Great background to each part of the plot, it was all fleshed out just enough without getting bogged down in lots of characters' histories. The final twist was interesting but I honestly felt the story was good enough on its own that this wasn't needed. Also, my only real problem with the plot was that it was surely unrealistic that ...? Don't know if I possibly missed something here but it struck me as odd.
Additional notes: Although I must confess this story hasn't lingered in my memory in much detail at all, I really enjoyed reading it. Fantastic characterisation and a lot of developments I didn't expect, and it evoked the setting and era brilliantly. I think I'd have to read it again to give the plot the detailed breakdown it probably deserves, but I remember enough to be certain I would recommend it.
March 6, 2013
I’ve recently learned that there’s a single sentence which, when used, compels me to read a book better than any other sales pitch, incantation or bribe ever could: ‘This plot has a twist we beg you not to disclose . . .’ Hello? I thought.
No spoilers here, I assure you. Beatrice Hitchman’s secret is safe with me.
Petite Mort is set in the silent film industry of early twentieth century Paris, and is told from the point of view of Adèle, an aspiring actress. She escapes her drear and parochial village to pursue her dream, only to find herself sharing digs with a prostitute, and scraping together a living as a seamstress in the Pathé studio costume department. Adèle is tormented by the opulence of garments she makes and cannot wear. However, her fortunes appear to change when she catches the eye of André, an influential producer: what he offers, instead of a starring role, is a job as his wife’s personal assistant.
The title alone gives the reader a suggestion of what could be in store, like a lady’s ankle on display in a salon. Added to the mix is the mystery of a film lost in a factory fire; the peculiar personal habits of Terpsichore, Pathé’s leading lady; and an infamous murder case. In fact there are several rather tasty twists in this novel, more than enough to keep you guessing until the end.
It’s difficult to tease out comparisons with other books, or movies for that matter, because Hitchman is leading us into relatively unexplored territory. At different times I was reminded of Moulin Rouge, The Prestige and (with my admittedly limited knowledge of silent film history) Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger.
Like the silver screen world Hitchman portrays, her writing shimmers, drawing you in with glamour and trickery. A fascinating, beguiling and wily debut. What will she do next?
No spoilers here, I assure you. Beatrice Hitchman’s secret is safe with me.
Petite Mort is set in the silent film industry of early twentieth century Paris, and is told from the point of view of Adèle, an aspiring actress. She escapes her drear and parochial village to pursue her dream, only to find herself sharing digs with a prostitute, and scraping together a living as a seamstress in the Pathé studio costume department. Adèle is tormented by the opulence of garments she makes and cannot wear. However, her fortunes appear to change when she catches the eye of André, an influential producer: what he offers, instead of a starring role, is a job as his wife’s personal assistant.
The title alone gives the reader a suggestion of what could be in store, like a lady’s ankle on display in a salon. Added to the mix is the mystery of a film lost in a factory fire; the peculiar personal habits of Terpsichore, Pathé’s leading lady; and an infamous murder case. In fact there are several rather tasty twists in this novel, more than enough to keep you guessing until the end.
It’s difficult to tease out comparisons with other books, or movies for that matter, because Hitchman is leading us into relatively unexplored territory. At different times I was reminded of Moulin Rouge, The Prestige and (with my admittedly limited knowledge of silent film history) Alfred Hitchcock’s The Lodger.
Like the silver screen world Hitchman portrays, her writing shimmers, drawing you in with glamour and trickery. A fascinating, beguiling and wily debut. What will she do next?
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August 3, 2016I feel like I should have liked this more than I did… I mean, I did enjoy it, I romped through it on a bus journey to London, but it hasn’t particularly stayed with me.
Also apparently we’re not meant to give spoilers, so I won’t – except it’s kind of blatantly obvious what’s going on, because it’s the only possible thing that could be going on. And while I wasn’t disappointed to learn that the only thing that could be going on was, in fact, going on – I think expecting the reader to have their tiny mind blown is pushing it.
And, apologies, if that sounds uncharitable but while the book pacey, intriguing and tightly plotted, I tend to find plot twists a bit less impactful when you get the sense that somebody is standing behind you going “omg, did you see mah plot twist.”
Anyway: the book kicks off in 1967 with a young reporter, Juliette Blanc, investigating the rediscovery of a silent movie from 1913 which was assumed lost in a studio fire. Enter Adele Roux, the lead actress of the piece, who slowly reveals to Juliette the history (and the shocking truth!) of the film, and the events that took place in 1913. Sex! Scandal! Cinema! Lesbianism! Betrayal! Yay!
It’s a very cinematic book, and employs a lot of narrative tricks, to deceive and dazzle the reader, splicing together timelines and viewpoints, and occasionally doubling back on itself to reveal, and conceal, different perspectives and pieces of information. It’s clever stuff, although it’s more intellectually than emotionally engaging. Adele’s journey from self-serving ambition to all-consuming love, particularly, I initially found a bit unconvincing, but then she is seventeen at the time so that probably goes some way to explain the slightly unfinished edge to her character. Well, that and The Thing. But, then, Andre’s journey from powerless to power to convenient balls-to-the-wall villainy was equally ragged. However, the fact that I didn’t feel particularly sympathetic to anyone wasn’t necessarily a problem, as I was sufficiently drawn in to keep reading regardless.
In short, I think I admired the style of this, more than the substance, but I did admire the hell out of the style. Also I deeply loved the portrayal of pre-WWI Paris in all its cruelty and decadence.
Also apparently we’re not meant to give spoilers, so I won’t – except it’s kind of blatantly obvious what’s going on, because it’s the only possible thing that could be going on. And while I wasn’t disappointed to learn that the only thing that could be going on was, in fact, going on – I think expecting the reader to have their tiny mind blown is pushing it.
And, apologies, if that sounds uncharitable but while the book pacey, intriguing and tightly plotted, I tend to find plot twists a bit less impactful when you get the sense that somebody is standing behind you going “omg, did you see mah plot twist.”
Anyway: the book kicks off in 1967 with a young reporter, Juliette Blanc, investigating the rediscovery of a silent movie from 1913 which was assumed lost in a studio fire. Enter Adele Roux, the lead actress of the piece, who slowly reveals to Juliette the history (and the shocking truth!) of the film, and the events that took place in 1913. Sex! Scandal! Cinema! Lesbianism! Betrayal! Yay!
It’s a very cinematic book, and employs a lot of narrative tricks, to deceive and dazzle the reader, splicing together timelines and viewpoints, and occasionally doubling back on itself to reveal, and conceal, different perspectives and pieces of information. It’s clever stuff, although it’s more intellectually than emotionally engaging. Adele’s journey from self-serving ambition to all-consuming love, particularly, I initially found a bit unconvincing, but then she is seventeen at the time so that probably goes some way to explain the slightly unfinished edge to her character. Well, that and The Thing. But, then, Andre’s journey from powerless to power to convenient balls-to-the-wall villainy was equally ragged. However, the fact that I didn’t feel particularly sympathetic to anyone wasn’t necessarily a problem, as I was sufficiently drawn in to keep reading regardless.
In short, I think I admired the style of this, more than the substance, but I did admire the hell out of the style. Also I deeply loved the portrayal of pre-WWI Paris in all its cruelty and decadence.
December 4, 2013
The intriguing blurb that sold me this novel urges the reader not to spoil, so I shan’t. Suffice to say that this is an exquisitely readable, engaging, surprisingly compelling novel, set in Paris 1913, where Adèle is desperately trying to break into the movies by means of sleeping with an important and influential producer at the Pathé studios. Ostensibly about Petite Mort, a silent film with a veneer of great mystique because it was destroyed in a fire before it was ever seen, he story commences in 1967, when a print of the long lost film has been discovered – badly edited by an amateur hand.
And this is just the start. The meat of the tale takes place in 1913, where ambitious Adèle has been engaged by her lover to act as companion to his wife, the beautiful, much-loved but emotionally fragile Pathé leading lady, Terpsichore. The story is beautifully told. The writing is wonderful: smooth and very readable, constantly understated, never showy. There is more than one twist – not all of them ARE entirely unexpected, but each one is very enjoyable.
And this is just the start. The meat of the tale takes place in 1913, where ambitious Adèle has been engaged by her lover to act as companion to his wife, the beautiful, much-loved but emotionally fragile Pathé leading lady, Terpsichore. The story is beautifully told. The writing is wonderful: smooth and very readable, constantly understated, never showy. There is more than one twist – not all of them ARE entirely unexpected, but each one is very enjoyable.
March 6, 2014
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2016
From BBC Radio 4 - 15 Minute Drama:
Honor Blackman, Shelley Conn, Mariah Gale and Samantha Spiro star in Beatrice Hitchman's thrilling debut, adapted by Miranda Davies. A 1914 silent film called Petite Mort holds the key to an infamous murder trial.
Honor Blackman, Shelley Conn, Mariah Gale and Samantha Spiro star in Beatrice Hitchman's thrilling debut, adapted by Miranda Davies. A 1914 silent film called Petite Mort holds the key to an infamous murder trial.
September 21, 2020
What fun. Easy reading, great characters, and a secret revealed I did not see coming!
December 7, 2015
When a book's quoted praise describes it as "Moulin Rouge meets Alfred Hitchcock," I know I've found the book for me. What Atmosphere!: from once-grande-dame plantations of the South, to the exciting streets of pre-war Paris, this novel brings its reader to times and places with such convincing elegance as I've rarely enjoyed. The structure of the novel mimics a film script - a choice that only elevates the author's appreciation for silent film, which she so lovingly expresses through much of the story's side characters and setting descriptions. The cast is essential, not superfluous, and this allows the author and the reader to more fully understand and feel connection with the principal players. It has the intrigue of a century-old scandal mixed with the modernness of a world on the brink of startling change, and every bit of it feels so very, very real. Electrifying and twisted, this book has made my list of all-time favorites.
January 7, 2018
Gosh, what to say about this book. Okay, I want to say it propelled me along easily. It was an averagely entertaining novel. The problems weren’t in the storyline but maybe more so in the flow. At times it felt clunky and needed some oiling in the transitions. I felt there were some poetic moments but I cannot put my finger on it exactly but it just didn’t feel period enough. It felt too modern for the 1910’s in Paris. Then again I love Sarah Waters and she has period drama down pat!! There was a surprise ending. Eehhh. Anti-climatic really for what I believe there was potential for. Maybe if there was more time spent on character development and cinematic details and less time on the wealthy waiving loaded guns at all of their inconveniences, it could have been a real winner.
December 3, 2017
I wasn’t a big fan of Petit Mort, but hate to not finish something when I start reading.
I was drawn in by the chiaroscuro front cover - dark, and brooding, but I don’t feel the book lived up to its cover’s promos. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I’d read it quicker - but then, as I didn’t really like it, it became more of a burden.
The Daily Mail’s back cover quote “Movie junkies will love this...” makes me think it Petit Mort would make a better film than it does a novel.
I was drawn in by the chiaroscuro front cover - dark, and brooding, but I don’t feel the book lived up to its cover’s promos. I would probably have enjoyed it more if I’d read it quicker - but then, as I didn’t really like it, it became more of a burden.
The Daily Mail’s back cover quote “Movie junkies will love this...” makes me think it Petit Mort would make a better film than it does a novel.
October 26, 2016
Usually Plot Twists are fairly obvious, even the good ones. But this one had me re-reading the book in search of the very carefully hidden clues that would piece the story together. Even without the plot twist, the narrative pulls you in and you can't help but feel for each character. A great read, just go slowly and keep your eyes open.
November 25, 2014
This was such a gorgeous book to read. It was rich with plot, descriptive, mysterious and beautiful woven.
March 10, 2023
Petite Mort is about a journalist in the late 60’s looking back to the 1910’s to discover the truth about a missing scene in a silent film that was recently discovered not to be destroyed in a fire in 1913 as was originally thought. There was also a murder investigation that shrouded the silent film in mystery. This book has a twist at the end that I really didn’t see coming - to the point where I would be interested in re-reading the book knowing what’s coming. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it’s consolidated Hitchman as a favourite author of mine. This was a tough one to rate - another example of a time I wish Goodreads used a 10-star rating system. I read this book because last year I read another of Hitchman’s novels “All of You Every Single One” which I rated 4 stars. I think it was more of a 4.5 and looking back now I think I could boost it to a 5, but at the time I’d come off a good run of solid 5-star reads for me. Anyway all of this is to say that while I have rated this the same, I think I enjoyed AOYESO more. However this book is simply not a 3 star read so …. take from that what you will. Similar to AOYESO this book was at times beautifully written but to me it makes sense that this book was published a while prior to AOYESO as I can see the improvement in her writing.
March 22, 2021
I bought this for my late wife when it came out, but I don't think she had chance to read it. I picked it up when sorting some things recently and I can't think for the life of me why I bought it for her. Having read it, it is more my sort of thing. Set in the early days of the French film industry and around the Pathe studios, it covers a lot of ground. While reading, I was conscious that a the primary story takes place the year before the First World War, and the secondary before 1968 and student riots in Paris, the cancelled Cannes Film Festival. It seemed that this was significant. However, Hitchman never sends a message, but provides fragments and allows the reader to build their own story. I often get irritated by alternating narratives, but here it serves a purpose. It was a journey of discovery and understanding. Clearly well researched with a strong sense of period detail where needed, without hitting you over the head with it. A bit of a surprise, an enjoyable one. Hitchman has her second novel out in autumn 2021. I'll be curious to see where she goes.
August 12, 2021
The thing I loved most about this book was the feel of it. I am a kinaesthetic kind of person and this book had such a drowsy, languid, dream like feel to it. The descriptions of people, places and things often had a cinematic feel as no doubt intended. Beatrice Hitchman manages to translate the strange pleasures of early cinema to the printed page. The plot is complex and rewards going with the flow of the writing to enjoy the sensory feast. Doubles and duplicity abound, from the multiple plotlines to the bold double entendre of a title and Adèle’s bisexual affairs. I will say no more as the twist at the ending is worth the discovery.
July 1, 2018
I did not see that twist coming, I probably should have done, but I thought it was going to be very different. A gentle and enjoyable time slip story of silent film stars, affairs and murders.
April 13, 2013
Adèle Roux is a 17-year-old aspiring silent film actress who runs away from her provincial town in the south of France to Paris, with dreams of taking up at Pathé and emulating the beguiling Terpsichore. Unfortunately for Adèle, such high aspirations aren't as easy to achieve as she'd hoped, and instead of walking into a starring role she finds herself embarking on an affair with Terpsichore's film inventor husband to advance her fledgling film career.
Installed as a concubine and personal assistant in Terpsichore's home, Adèle begins to care less for her dreams of a film career and more for the beautiful, brittle Terpsichore, whose own history is seemingly pitted with mystery and secrets...
It's so difficult to review a book with a big twist - I don't want to ruin the mystery of the story and that really fantastic big reveal at the end! So briefly,
Petite Mort is a story delicately woven and unlike anything I've read previously. The characters are complex and intriguing to learn about. Indeed, Hitchman seems to know exactly when and exactly how much character history to introduce - in tantalising flashes - so that the story and the mystery unfolds without being either illogical or predictable.
It was also a joy to read a great novel with queer characters in a sensitive affair. The title does hint at this; the 'petite mort' being an euphemistic term for 'orgasm'; the sexual exploits of the characters are critical to the book, and are handled wonderfully and in a way that isn't sensationalist or smutty.
I would reccommend Petite Mort to fans of Margaret Atwood and Sara Gruen, and to anyone who enjoys fiction with a queer historical angle, or anyone who loves a good 'whodunnit'.
Installed as a concubine and personal assistant in Terpsichore's home, Adèle begins to care less for her dreams of a film career and more for the beautiful, brittle Terpsichore, whose own history is seemingly pitted with mystery and secrets...
It's so difficult to review a book with a big twist - I don't want to ruin the mystery of the story and that really fantastic big reveal at the end! So briefly,
Petite Mort is a story delicately woven and unlike anything I've read previously. The characters are complex and intriguing to learn about. Indeed, Hitchman seems to know exactly when and exactly how much character history to introduce - in tantalising flashes - so that the story and the mystery unfolds without being either illogical or predictable.
It was also a joy to read a great novel with queer characters in a sensitive affair. The title does hint at this; the 'petite mort' being an euphemistic term for 'orgasm'; the sexual exploits of the characters are critical to the book, and are handled wonderfully and in a way that isn't sensationalist or smutty.
I would reccommend Petite Mort to fans of Margaret Atwood and Sara Gruen, and to anyone who enjoys fiction with a queer historical angle, or anyone who loves a good 'whodunnit'.
November 3, 2020
Oh WHAT FUN!.. Did not see the secret!. All my usual likes: past faced, cinematic, rhythmic, wonderfully drawn characters et al.
April 28, 2013
Lovely, deftly written story set in the silent film industry of 1910-20s Paris. Adele is a great protagonist: alternately venal and sympathetic, terrible and lovely. Interspersed with surprising forays into backstories that lend the book a fuller, more sumptuous feel. Hitchman does some smart things with alternating perspectives, allowing readers to experience particular scenes or moments from differently illuminating angles without losing the fundamental sense of human complexity, of motivations both deep and mysterious but meaningful. Definitely worth reading, especially if you are *mild spoiler* interested in queering up your historical fiction, and who isn't really?
September 28, 2014
I don't know why this book isn't more widely known. Waterstones promoted it and Radio 4 dramatised it, yet it's hardly got a mention on Goodreads. I found it an enjoyable, quick read. The plot twist,is obvious - there are enough clues- if you stop and think. This didn't spoil the enjoyment for me. It's stylishly written and I didn't pick up any anachronisms, which I find irritating in period pieces.
November 4, 2015
Picked up on a whim after reading the cover and so glad I did. Hitchman writes beautifully, and evocatively. Her work is luxurious yet lean, opulence never overdone. Her style alone would make this a page turner, but so does a tantalizing and expertly constructed plot.
This book is a true pleasure to experience. I eagerly look forward to more.
This book is a true pleasure to experience. I eagerly look forward to more.
July 24, 2014
Passion! Betrayal! Forbidden love! Murder! Mystery!
What more could you ask for? Well, perhaps an unexpected twist. Oh wait...
I cannot recommend this book high enough. What a debut, Ms Hitchman! I for one look forward to follow your future work.
What more could you ask for? Well, perhaps an unexpected twist. Oh wait...
I cannot recommend this book high enough. What a debut, Ms Hitchman! I for one look forward to follow your future work.
February 2, 2017
Absolutely outstanding. A sort of Gothic Hitchcock type story. Just read it; the less you know going in, the better.
January 20, 2015
Wow! A fiendishly original, completely captivating page turner of a book. Loved, loved loved.
September 7, 2019
I went into Petite Mort not knowing what to expect, and the reviews seem a bit mixed. But I enjoyed it enough that I had trouble putting it down. It's set in France during the early 1900s, about a young woman who wants to be a star of silent films and the mystery around the reappearance of a film she was in that was thought to be destroyed. She's not always the most likable of protagonists in the beginning and sometimes I was unsure of her motivations, but it didn't bother me. I am likely not doing it a great justice by describing it like this but it's hard not to get too into the plot without spoiling it. For me it was definitely worth the read.
March 13, 2019
An interesting look at an imagined past. The book is set primarily in 1913 and 1914, before the first world war. The Well of Lonliness deals with much the same setting, Paris, but from some fourteen years later, and written, not with a century's hindsight, but contemporaneously. When I compare the images of Sapphic society in Paris, I wonder how truly anyone from today can portray that era.
At any rate, a lovely little mystery, though I am not at all certain that I entirely understand the ending.
At any rate, a lovely little mystery, though I am not at all certain that I entirely understand the ending.
December 13, 2017
Another book I wish there were half stars for! I don’t remember how or why I bought this book, but it has been on my nightstand for a while. It’s quite slowly paced with quite a few twists in the last dozen pages. Also bisexual main character for the win! A good read for being curled up by the fire.
January 17, 2019
A mystery, a tale with a twist, a twisted tale...has a Gothic quality that makes you feel like it should be in black and white.
The writing is hypnotic, it captures, if not a sense of time and place, a sense of time and place as it would be in a movie. It's a shame everyone is so awful, but hey - they're entertaining and devious which redeems them somewhat.
The writing is hypnotic, it captures, if not a sense of time and place, a sense of time and place as it would be in a movie. It's a shame everyone is so awful, but hey - they're entertaining and devious which redeems them somewhat.
February 8, 2021
4.5 stars. Intriguing. Gripping. Mysterious. Weird. Sensual and sensuous. Frightening. In any other book, I'd have found the tense changes within one piece of action off-putting and annoying, but here they are absolutely appropriate and act as point and counterpoint, and heighten the sense of tension and mystery. So glad I stumbled across this. A great read.
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