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No Touching
A story of liberation and a heartrending portrayal of a woman’s sense of self, Ketty Rouf’s extraordinary debut shatters tired prejudices about sex, women, and society.
Josephine teaches philosophy in a high school in Drancy, a suburb of Paris. Her life is a balancing act between Xanax, Propranolol and Tupperware lunches in the staff room. The directives of the National Education Board are increasingly absurd and intolerable and she follows them with playfulness at times and derision at others.
When, one evening, Josephine walks into a strip club on the Champs-Elysée, her life is completely overturned. There she learns a secret nocturnal code of conduct; she discovers camaraderie and the joys of female company; and she thrills at the sensation of men’s desire directed toward her. Josephine, a teacher by day, begins to lead a secret existence by night that ultimately allows her to regain control of her life. This delicate balance is shattered one evening by an unexpected visitor to the club where she dances.
Josephine teaches philosophy in a high school in Drancy, a suburb of Paris. Her life is a balancing act between Xanax, Propranolol and Tupperware lunches in the staff room. The directives of the National Education Board are increasingly absurd and intolerable and she follows them with playfulness at times and derision at others.
When, one evening, Josephine walks into a strip club on the Champs-Elysée, her life is completely overturned. There she learns a secret nocturnal code of conduct; she discovers camaraderie and the joys of female company; and she thrills at the sensation of men’s desire directed toward her. Josephine, a teacher by day, begins to lead a secret existence by night that ultimately allows her to regain control of her life. This delicate balance is shattered one evening by an unexpected visitor to the club where she dances.
172 pages, Paperback
First published August 19, 2020
16 people are currently reading
2354 people want to read
About the author
Ketty Rouf
3 books7 followersKetty Rouf has a master’s degree in philosophy, is a passionate ballet dancer, and after years working for the French National Education Board is now a full-time translator, interpreter, and writer. No Touching is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
May 31, 2021
When the woman dances, it's always herself she's dancing with. That pleasure can't be shared; it's hers alone, untransmittable. But he thinks, out there in the audience, that she's dancing for him.
This is undoubtedly provocative and deliberately so as the book takes as its source Descartes' mind/body division and plays it out via the life of a contemporary French woman who teaches philosophy in a school by day and slips into being a pole/lap-dancer by night.
Does it romanticise sex-working? Jo isn't a prostitute, the eponymous 'no touching' rule applies in the bar where she works, though she does do naked lap dances. What is striking is that it's her day job that constricts and oppresses her sense of self; her night job that liberates her both mentally and physically, which enables her to fall in love with her own body, to live fully inside it for the first time, to experience its power and to celebrate its potent agency. Problematic, huh?
I still don't quite know how I feel about this book, and I'm not even sure we're supposed to come down on the side of either mind or body - but I love the complex questions this book is posing for women, especially women whose sense of identity is bound up with their intellectual capabilities.
Bold, provocative and stimulating - this is one I want to discuss with all my friends.
Many thanks to Europa Editions for an ARC via NetGalley.
June 5, 2021
You can hold a master’s degree in philosophy, and have cellulite and stretch marks, and dream of being a nude dancer. You have to cling to something, and what better to cling to than yourself? The body is weightier than an idea.
No Touching is Tina Kover's translation of Ketty Rouf's 2020 Prix du Premier Roman winning On ne touche pas.
Our first person narrator Joséphine teaches philosophy to largely disinterested 17 year-olds in a rather sub-standard school in Paris. But at night she performs as Rose Lee in a lap-dancing club having rather stumbled into that world, and increasingly she finds more mental satisfaction and stimulation in her night-life than her day career.
I need Rose Lee, her perfume that envelops me like a magical charm, my new inner life that’s like music I can dance to. The night is my brightest day, a perpetual present of brilliance and well-being. It’s life without classes and meetings and the worries that crush my spirit, where the world and my fellow humans have a presence like nothing I’ve ever known. It’s almost a kind of perfection, where there’s no longer any need to ask the metaphysical question Why? The truest luxury— the truest happiness, maybe— is to exist without sorrow, without limits: to linger around a drink, a game, an encounter in order to prolong the night and go to bed later and later until it circles back around to early, when the faceless masses are leaving for the office, or are already there.
In a side-story Joséphine also helps one pupil grow as a person as he starts to understand the choices he faces through a philosophical lens.
The novel is deliberately provocative and poses some interesting questions, and would be a good bookclub / Goodreads readalong choice.
But it felt that the set-up made Joséphine's choice rather easier by emphasising the rather meaningless nature of her teaching role given the pupils, the school and the frustrations of the system (school inspectors are constantly telling the teachers to dumb things down, and the school administration turn a blind eye to the pupils disrespectful and even aggressive behaviour). And at its low points the novel can rather resemble a mash-up of Sophie's World, Grange Hill and Showgirls.
2.5 stars
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC
No Touching is Tina Kover's translation of Ketty Rouf's 2020 Prix du Premier Roman winning On ne touche pas.
Our first person narrator Joséphine teaches philosophy to largely disinterested 17 year-olds in a rather sub-standard school in Paris. But at night she performs as Rose Lee in a lap-dancing club having rather stumbled into that world, and increasingly she finds more mental satisfaction and stimulation in her night-life than her day career.
I need Rose Lee, her perfume that envelops me like a magical charm, my new inner life that’s like music I can dance to. The night is my brightest day, a perpetual present of brilliance and well-being. It’s life without classes and meetings and the worries that crush my spirit, where the world and my fellow humans have a presence like nothing I’ve ever known. It’s almost a kind of perfection, where there’s no longer any need to ask the metaphysical question Why? The truest luxury— the truest happiness, maybe— is to exist without sorrow, without limits: to linger around a drink, a game, an encounter in order to prolong the night and go to bed later and later until it circles back around to early, when the faceless masses are leaving for the office, or are already there.
In a side-story Joséphine also helps one pupil grow as a person as he starts to understand the choices he faces through a philosophical lens.
The novel is deliberately provocative and poses some interesting questions, and would be a good bookclub / Goodreads readalong choice.
But it felt that the set-up made Joséphine's choice rather easier by emphasising the rather meaningless nature of her teaching role given the pupils, the school and the frustrations of the system (school inspectors are constantly telling the teachers to dumb things down, and the school administration turn a blind eye to the pupils disrespectful and even aggressive behaviour). And at its low points the novel can rather resemble a mash-up of Sophie's World, Grange Hill and Showgirls.
2.5 stars
Thanks to the publisher via Netgalley for the ARC
August 1, 2021
“Living means acting as if we aren’t born to die.”
Many books have been written about women leading stultifying lives who break free from the boredom—usually through torrid affairs. But Ketty Rouf’s Josephine is a whole different woman entirely, a 30-ish philosophy teacher who breaks free from her boring life each night as an exotic pole dancer. It’s a fascinating view of a woman who crashes through boundaries in her attempt to inhabit all the women who live within her.
Working as a civil servant by day, Josephine is quickly losing herself in an environment where a love of learning is subjugated to a “playing by the rules and whatever you do, don’t ever push a student to actually learn” mentality. In the highly sexualized school, she dresses in drab attire, never wears accessories perceived as flashy, and moves through an endless cycle of days where she merely exists.
Then she takes a pole-dancing course on a whim. Not long after, she goes from granny panties to a lace G-string, stiletto heels and stockings, and from spitballs and endless essay correction to being an object of worship for many nameless men who worship her body and celebrate her as an idealized woman.
A teacher named Josephine by day, an exotic dancer named Rose Lee at night, and never the twain shall meet. Until one night, they do.
This book is a special read for a few reasons. First, there is the philosophy underpinnings that bring us to an understanding of why Josephine chooses to do what she does (“knowing how to live means choosing the ideas that won’t run us”). In an absurd existence, with all of us headed towards death, what is it that saves us? And second, Ketty Rouf’s portrayal of the exotic dancer’s life—the sisterhood of the dancers, the freedom of revealing oneself, the sometimes therapeutic role that exotic dancers play—is downright fascinating.
Thanks to an excellent translation from the French by Tina Kover, the book comes alive as both an erotic narrative as well as a mind-based one. Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with an advance reader’s galley in exchange for an honest review.
Many books have been written about women leading stultifying lives who break free from the boredom—usually through torrid affairs. But Ketty Rouf’s Josephine is a whole different woman entirely, a 30-ish philosophy teacher who breaks free from her boring life each night as an exotic pole dancer. It’s a fascinating view of a woman who crashes through boundaries in her attempt to inhabit all the women who live within her.
Working as a civil servant by day, Josephine is quickly losing herself in an environment where a love of learning is subjugated to a “playing by the rules and whatever you do, don’t ever push a student to actually learn” mentality. In the highly sexualized school, she dresses in drab attire, never wears accessories perceived as flashy, and moves through an endless cycle of days where she merely exists.
Then she takes a pole-dancing course on a whim. Not long after, she goes from granny panties to a lace G-string, stiletto heels and stockings, and from spitballs and endless essay correction to being an object of worship for many nameless men who worship her body and celebrate her as an idealized woman.
A teacher named Josephine by day, an exotic dancer named Rose Lee at night, and never the twain shall meet. Until one night, they do.
This book is a special read for a few reasons. First, there is the philosophy underpinnings that bring us to an understanding of why Josephine chooses to do what she does (“knowing how to live means choosing the ideas that won’t run us”). In an absurd existence, with all of us headed towards death, what is it that saves us? And second, Ketty Rouf’s portrayal of the exotic dancer’s life—the sisterhood of the dancers, the freedom of revealing oneself, the sometimes therapeutic role that exotic dancers play—is downright fascinating.
Thanks to an excellent translation from the French by Tina Kover, the book comes alive as both an erotic narrative as well as a mind-based one. Thank you to Europa Editions for providing me with an advance reader’s galley in exchange for an honest review.
January 26, 2022
“Every woman, young and old, beautiful and less beautiful, should do this job. For one evening, or a month, or for their whole lives. They would really see men, know what they’re made of; it might save them a lot of suffering.”
Synsopsis:
Our heroine Josephine is a philosophy teacher who is burnt out, fatigued and heavily disillusioned by life. After fainting on her first day back in school, prompting forced sick leave, she wanders into a strip club. Soon, she finds herself auditioning and becomes Rose Lee by night which are now filled with dancing, companionship with the other girls and basking in the new power she feels. That is until someone she knows visits the club one night and changes everything.
This was so, so good.
Extremely literary, beautifully written and falling very firmly in the disillusioned, sad woman who doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life (see My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Boy Parts) I really really enjoyed this.
It’s a combination of philosophical debate, commentary on sex and society and a celebration of womanhood. The club our main character works at is female-managed and shows a different side to stripping then is often portrayed in media; the beauty in feeling powerful, the culture of female friendships that are fostered and the confidence these things can inspire. I just thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book.
Rating: 4.5
Synsopsis:
Our heroine Josephine is a philosophy teacher who is burnt out, fatigued and heavily disillusioned by life. After fainting on her first day back in school, prompting forced sick leave, she wanders into a strip club. Soon, she finds herself auditioning and becomes Rose Lee by night which are now filled with dancing, companionship with the other girls and basking in the new power she feels. That is until someone she knows visits the club one night and changes everything.
This was so, so good.
Extremely literary, beautifully written and falling very firmly in the disillusioned, sad woman who doesn’t know what she’s doing with her life (see My Year of Rest and Relaxation, Boy Parts) I really really enjoyed this.
It’s a combination of philosophical debate, commentary on sex and society and a celebration of womanhood. The club our main character works at is female-managed and shows a different side to stripping then is often portrayed in media; the beauty in feeling powerful, the culture of female friendships that are fostered and the confidence these things can inspire. I just thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of this book.
Rating: 4.5
March 8, 2022
It was nearly impossible for both the narrator and the reader to tease out the earnest and the satirical, the pride and the shame, the feminine and the masculine, the real and the fake, the sex and the death. Yet we both end up seeing that each of these pairs is inextricably bound, leading into each other like a snake eating its own tail.
Rouf details sexuality with the objectivity and grace of a dancing philosopher. She creates a narrator who is effectively Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (if Mr. Hyde were a stripper) but we begin to realize that the two roles are reversed, if not imperceptibly blurred. My main criticism is that there were too many male characters and they got too close to Jo. I would have appreciated more elaboration on the other dancers, more of how they reached her, the only ones she allows to touch.
“On my knees… entwined with a man, letting myself be penetrated by his eyes, begging, passionate, almost tearful sometimes, I know I will never feel what they do. A kind of crazed ardor that women simply lack. I dance naked around that lack, that empty space.” 76
Rouf details sexuality with the objectivity and grace of a dancing philosopher. She creates a narrator who is effectively Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (if Mr. Hyde were a stripper) but we begin to realize that the two roles are reversed, if not imperceptibly blurred. My main criticism is that there were too many male characters and they got too close to Jo. I would have appreciated more elaboration on the other dancers, more of how they reached her, the only ones she allows to touch.
“On my knees… entwined with a man, letting myself be penetrated by his eyes, begging, passionate, almost tearful sometimes, I know I will never feel what they do. A kind of crazed ardor that women simply lack. I dance naked around that lack, that empty space.” 76
September 10, 2023
maybe dancing in a strip club would make my nightmarish life of a teacher exciting too
January 12, 2024
everyone needs to read this!
September 19, 2021
NO TOUCHING by Ketty Rouf translated from the French by Tina Kover is my last read and it’s a great debut novel! It follows Joséphine, a high school philosophy teacher, as she begins a secret nighttime job as a stripper. Throughout the book Joséphine discovers her love of her body, makes some intense female friendships and enjoys the thrill of her power over men. It’s interesting how this book explores the duality of a woman as an intellectual and seductress. Joséphine finds joy in her teaching when a student seeks out her advice and yet also finds joy in showing off her naked body. I really enjoyed the central theme of how a person isn’t only one thing especially from the perspective of someone else.
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Thank you to PGC Books for my gifted review copy!
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Thank you to PGC Books for my gifted review copy!
January 11, 2023
This book tried to be a revolutionary empowering book about women and their role in sec work, but it fell flat. It felt like it was written from the male gaze and was not relatable as a woman. It was a book club choice and yielded good conversation but overall was boring and lifeless
October 28, 2024
Might be my favorite read of the year. Womanhood, philosophy, sex, humor, grief, and more.
September 2, 2021
No Touching by Ketty Rouf was published August 10th with Europa Editions with the translation from French to English by Tina Kover. No Touching is described as ‘a moving story of liberation that shatters tired prejudices about womanhood, sex, and society' and is a book that packs a seriously unexpected punch at less than 200 pages. It is always very important for me to read books that are outside the norm for me. Stepping out of my comfort zone into the unknown offers a wonderful experience allowing me the opportunity to delve into worlds that would never normally be open to me.
Europa Editions offers an extremely diverse array of books as an independent publisher of international fiction. Its objective is ‘to bring fresh international voices to the American and British markets and to provide quality editions that have a distinct look and consistently high levels of editorial standards. The Europa catalogue is eclectic, reflecting the founders’ belief that dialogue between nations and cultures is of vital importance and that this exchange is facilitated by literature chosen not only for its ability to entertain and fascinate but also to inform and enlighten.' Many readers are now very familiar with The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante (published by Europa Editions) but Europa Editions offers so much more.
No Touching was originally published in French and, through the excellent translation by Tina Kover, the reader is taken on a very provocative journey into the lives of women working in the strip clubs of the French capital. Josephine is a philosophy teacher in a high-school in the suburb of Drancy in Paris. Her daily commute is long and dreary. Her pupils are inattentive, indifferent to her classes. Josephine is losing herself to the mundanity of her life unsure of her future and extremely frustrated with her present.
In her younger years she never felt attractive. As a late developer she was cast aside in school and buried herself in books. Now Josephine survives on Xanax to get her through the day. A decision to attend a striptease dance class has an unexpected impact on Josephine and she finds herself signing up for a year.
“You can hold a master’s degree in philosophy, and have cellulite and stretch marks, and dream of being a nude dancer. You have to cling to something, and what better to cling to than yourself?”
These classes are the only thing keeping Josephine sane – “An hour and a half when I feel alive”. All week she only survives but on a Friday she comes alive, she becomes someone else, someone she could learn to love. A chance visit to a Champs Elyséé strip club opens up a new world of possibilities for Josephine and, without giving it too much thought, she jumps in at the deep-end: a teacher by day, a strip club dancer by night.
Entering the world of the strip club was a fascinating exploration of the lives of the women involved. These women hold the power over the men who visit, tantalising and teasing, but no touching. Strong bonds are formed and, for the first time in her life, Josephine feels connected to people, part of something bigger.
No Touching contains multiple erotic scenes, as one would expect in a book set in a strip club, but it would be wrong to think that this is just a titillating tale. No Touching explores the importance of not losing yourself in the everyday. It is all about the possibility of a different way of living, of grabbing life and enjoying every moment. It’s very easy to get lost in the humdrum of daily living where every day blends into the next. We all need a spark to jolt us out of our comfort zones. Josephine chose a strip club but for you it could be something as simple as picking up a paint brush, learning to jive or to finally take that first exercise class you have been promising yourself forever. The message is strong in No Touching – DO NOT LEAVE IT TOO LATE.
No Touching is a sensual, profound and, at times, philosophical read, due to the nature of the subject, but it is also uplifting and hopeful. Translated work has, yet again, taken me on a wonderful journey into the unknown and I would like to thank Europa Editions for giving me this unique opportunity.
Europa Editions offers an extremely diverse array of books as an independent publisher of international fiction. Its objective is ‘to bring fresh international voices to the American and British markets and to provide quality editions that have a distinct look and consistently high levels of editorial standards. The Europa catalogue is eclectic, reflecting the founders’ belief that dialogue between nations and cultures is of vital importance and that this exchange is facilitated by literature chosen not only for its ability to entertain and fascinate but also to inform and enlighten.' Many readers are now very familiar with The Neapolitan Novels by Elena Ferrante (published by Europa Editions) but Europa Editions offers so much more.
No Touching was originally published in French and, through the excellent translation by Tina Kover, the reader is taken on a very provocative journey into the lives of women working in the strip clubs of the French capital. Josephine is a philosophy teacher in a high-school in the suburb of Drancy in Paris. Her daily commute is long and dreary. Her pupils are inattentive, indifferent to her classes. Josephine is losing herself to the mundanity of her life unsure of her future and extremely frustrated with her present.
In her younger years she never felt attractive. As a late developer she was cast aside in school and buried herself in books. Now Josephine survives on Xanax to get her through the day. A decision to attend a striptease dance class has an unexpected impact on Josephine and she finds herself signing up for a year.
“You can hold a master’s degree in philosophy, and have cellulite and stretch marks, and dream of being a nude dancer. You have to cling to something, and what better to cling to than yourself?”
These classes are the only thing keeping Josephine sane – “An hour and a half when I feel alive”. All week she only survives but on a Friday she comes alive, she becomes someone else, someone she could learn to love. A chance visit to a Champs Elyséé strip club opens up a new world of possibilities for Josephine and, without giving it too much thought, she jumps in at the deep-end: a teacher by day, a strip club dancer by night.
Entering the world of the strip club was a fascinating exploration of the lives of the women involved. These women hold the power over the men who visit, tantalising and teasing, but no touching. Strong bonds are formed and, for the first time in her life, Josephine feels connected to people, part of something bigger.
No Touching contains multiple erotic scenes, as one would expect in a book set in a strip club, but it would be wrong to think that this is just a titillating tale. No Touching explores the importance of not losing yourself in the everyday. It is all about the possibility of a different way of living, of grabbing life and enjoying every moment. It’s very easy to get lost in the humdrum of daily living where every day blends into the next. We all need a spark to jolt us out of our comfort zones. Josephine chose a strip club but for you it could be something as simple as picking up a paint brush, learning to jive or to finally take that first exercise class you have been promising yourself forever. The message is strong in No Touching – DO NOT LEAVE IT TOO LATE.
No Touching is a sensual, profound and, at times, philosophical read, due to the nature of the subject, but it is also uplifting and hopeful. Translated work has, yet again, taken me on a wonderful journey into the unknown and I would like to thank Europa Editions for giving me this unique opportunity.
August 28, 2021
Right after finishing this book, I looked briefly into the author’s short bio. Ketty Rouf has a master’s degree in philosophy and is a passionate ballet dancer. I was wondering for a while if this book is indeed a roman á clef, derived from the author’s own experience which is moulded into the character of Josephine. In the first part of the book, Josephine asks herself this question: what can a master’s degree in philosophy do for your life? She has spent several years teaching philosophy in a high school in Drancy, a suburb of Paris. Her life consists of balancing between Xanax, Propranolol, and Tupperware lunches in the staff room. One night, the Xanax won’t just put her to sleep, and that’s when she decided to roam around Paris with no goal, no destination, no watch, no phone, only to lose herself.
That night, Josephine is christened with a new name as she entered a striptease club and joined the team. Rose Lee is the name she had chosen for herself, the one for whom the word ‘striptease’ was invented in the forties, a burlesque legend. After thirty-five years, four months, and sixty days, Rose Lee has been born. The alter ego has been awakened, and after that night Josephine leads a double life as a striptease dancer by night and a philosophy high school teacher by day. And this is when things get interesting, as Josephine begins to realise the problem with modern life and philosophy in general.
As a philosophy teacher, Josephine often feels that her life is unfulfilled and boring with so many unruly students who could not seem to appreciate the beauty of philosophy. She begins to have some conflicting feelings, as philosophy is meant to help us understanding life, but it was as though her own life itself is refusing to be understood by way of applying philosophy. She happens to find her fulfilment through her job as Rose Lee at night, utilising her insomnia to fill a new role in society as a striptease dancer, to make more customers get hard and give them their fantasies. Yet it’s during this time that one of her students, Hadrien, finally awaken Josephine about how philosophy could be applied in daily life through his letters, thanking Josephine for her lessons and asking for advice.
It seems as though this brave debut novel is all about the conflict between the body and the mind. As a philosophy teacher who has learned so many ideas from various philosophers since antiquity, Josephine frequently uses her mind to make her decision in life. Whereas during her striptease career, Rose Lee encounters the fact that the body cannot lie and sometimes does not even require any negotiation with the mind to act. Her customers get hard, even without feeling any emotions towards her. Our existence begins with the act of two bodies being put into one, and there are some limits for the mind to explain things.
Josephine has been living in ignorance, through her bookish knowledge. Ignorance of real experience, of deep emotion, and of understanding the human condition and of herself. Her ignorance is cured as she becomes Rose Lee by night, even though French Law does not allow a public servant teacher like her to engage in an act labelled as shameful by society. After all, her purpose in life seems to be simple, to experience the happiest moments of her life as she wears nothing and dances in front of her customers, fulfilling their fantasies. As Albert Camus said, “You cannot create an experience, you must undergo it.”
That night, Josephine is christened with a new name as she entered a striptease club and joined the team. Rose Lee is the name she had chosen for herself, the one for whom the word ‘striptease’ was invented in the forties, a burlesque legend. After thirty-five years, four months, and sixty days, Rose Lee has been born. The alter ego has been awakened, and after that night Josephine leads a double life as a striptease dancer by night and a philosophy high school teacher by day. And this is when things get interesting, as Josephine begins to realise the problem with modern life and philosophy in general.
As a philosophy teacher, Josephine often feels that her life is unfulfilled and boring with so many unruly students who could not seem to appreciate the beauty of philosophy. She begins to have some conflicting feelings, as philosophy is meant to help us understanding life, but it was as though her own life itself is refusing to be understood by way of applying philosophy. She happens to find her fulfilment through her job as Rose Lee at night, utilising her insomnia to fill a new role in society as a striptease dancer, to make more customers get hard and give them their fantasies. Yet it’s during this time that one of her students, Hadrien, finally awaken Josephine about how philosophy could be applied in daily life through his letters, thanking Josephine for her lessons and asking for advice.
It seems as though this brave debut novel is all about the conflict between the body and the mind. As a philosophy teacher who has learned so many ideas from various philosophers since antiquity, Josephine frequently uses her mind to make her decision in life. Whereas during her striptease career, Rose Lee encounters the fact that the body cannot lie and sometimes does not even require any negotiation with the mind to act. Her customers get hard, even without feeling any emotions towards her. Our existence begins with the act of two bodies being put into one, and there are some limits for the mind to explain things.
Josephine has been living in ignorance, through her bookish knowledge. Ignorance of real experience, of deep emotion, and of understanding the human condition and of herself. Her ignorance is cured as she becomes Rose Lee by night, even though French Law does not allow a public servant teacher like her to engage in an act labelled as shameful by society. After all, her purpose in life seems to be simple, to experience the happiest moments of her life as she wears nothing and dances in front of her customers, fulfilling their fantasies. As Albert Camus said, “You cannot create an experience, you must undergo it.”
August 24, 2021
General Impressions
In all honesty, I started this book fully prepared to DNF it within 50 pages - the moment this became about seeing women being abused or degraded as a fantasy for the reader/or writer, I was gone. Luckily, in this case, my fears couldn't have been further from the truth and I never read a French book so fast or passionately in my life.
Even though I started this book really afraid of what I might read and with not many expectations beyond that, it took me less than two chapters to realize that this is one of those books that I will never forget and will come back to every few years.
More than about sex work or dancing this is a book about a teacher and particularly a woman, screaming into the void and if you are paying attention, there will be quite a few of those in the next few months. That can only mean great things right?
If you liked the movie Hustlers, I think you will like "No Touching" because a lot of the themes in it overlap: sex work as a way to overcome the class divide, the failure of modern sexual policing, the gender divide, the sense of empowerment and shame that comes with the job and many more.
The major differences are that while "Hustlers" focuses on the darker parts of the clubs such as the dancer's exploitation by the owners of the clubs, the women in no "No Touching" work in an exclusive club in France where the management is not only female but puts the security of the dancers at the forefront. The women are the ones that pick the men, have a lot of control over what they wear and how they look and know that there are always eyes on them, not to police them and their work but to keep them safe and make sure no one goes too far.
With one single exception, all of the most violent, disrespectful and graphic scenes in this book happen to the main character not when she is dancing but when she is working as a teacher. Jo finds the self-respect she lost teaching while dancing. While I doubt that is the experience of everyone that dances, I liked seeing it portrayed with anything other than shame or a tragedy.
Conclusions
I was a bit confused if not let down by the ending but that doesn't eclipse how much I enjoyed the entire book, particularly whenever men tried to justify themselves and their presence and actions inside said clubs.
Thank you to Europa Editions for sending me this copy.
Rating: 4/5
In all honesty, I started this book fully prepared to DNF it within 50 pages - the moment this became about seeing women being abused or degraded as a fantasy for the reader/or writer, I was gone. Luckily, in this case, my fears couldn't have been further from the truth and I never read a French book so fast or passionately in my life.
Even though I started this book really afraid of what I might read and with not many expectations beyond that, it took me less than two chapters to realize that this is one of those books that I will never forget and will come back to every few years.
More than about sex work or dancing this is a book about a teacher and particularly a woman, screaming into the void and if you are paying attention, there will be quite a few of those in the next few months. That can only mean great things right?
If you liked the movie Hustlers, I think you will like "No Touching" because a lot of the themes in it overlap: sex work as a way to overcome the class divide, the failure of modern sexual policing, the gender divide, the sense of empowerment and shame that comes with the job and many more.
The major differences are that while "Hustlers" focuses on the darker parts of the clubs such as the dancer's exploitation by the owners of the clubs, the women in no "No Touching" work in an exclusive club in France where the management is not only female but puts the security of the dancers at the forefront. The women are the ones that pick the men, have a lot of control over what they wear and how they look and know that there are always eyes on them, not to police them and their work but to keep them safe and make sure no one goes too far.
With one single exception, all of the most violent, disrespectful and graphic scenes in this book happen to the main character not when she is dancing but when she is working as a teacher. Jo finds the self-respect she lost teaching while dancing. While I doubt that is the experience of everyone that dances, I liked seeing it portrayed with anything other than shame or a tragedy.
Conclusions
I was a bit confused if not let down by the ending but that doesn't eclipse how much I enjoyed the entire book, particularly whenever men tried to justify themselves and their presence and actions inside said clubs.
Thank you to Europa Editions for sending me this copy.
Rating: 4/5
January 30, 2022
I was described the plot as, « unfulfilled teacher gives stripping a go. » Naturally, being a teacher myself, I had to read it. I enjoyed that the author didn’t glorify teaching. It was real and relatable.
Joséphine taught philosophy to high school students and felt she was at a dead end. Her work situation sucked - I felt bad for her. She wanted an escape and actually did something about it.
After succeeding in a stripping audition, she becomes nervous, as expected, but decides to give it a try and ends up loving it. It brings her confidence and adds excitement to her rather dreary life. The author divulges pieces of Jo’s childhood throughout the novel, being ugly and overweight, being « boyish » and not being liked by the boys. It made the story so much more likeable seeing her grow to appreciate her body.
As the story unfolds, the reader kind of gets an insider view to the life of stripping. By no means do I feel it was totally real as I felt it was a bit too positive - no abuse, lots of high paying nights - but it was cool to read.
The book flip flops between teaching and her nights as Rose Lee. One may dislike the teaching bits but I really enjoyed them. It allowed the reader to reflect on what was taught in her lessons, or at least I did.
I won’t give away what fully happens but the story had its ups and downs of emotions. There were a lot of highlights and I actually can’t name any letdowns! It was a quick read that I’d recommend to someone if they found the plot as intriguing as I did! 4 stars.
Joséphine taught philosophy to high school students and felt she was at a dead end. Her work situation sucked - I felt bad for her. She wanted an escape and actually did something about it.
After succeeding in a stripping audition, she becomes nervous, as expected, but decides to give it a try and ends up loving it. It brings her confidence and adds excitement to her rather dreary life. The author divulges pieces of Jo’s childhood throughout the novel, being ugly and overweight, being « boyish » and not being liked by the boys. It made the story so much more likeable seeing her grow to appreciate her body.
As the story unfolds, the reader kind of gets an insider view to the life of stripping. By no means do I feel it was totally real as I felt it was a bit too positive - no abuse, lots of high paying nights - but it was cool to read.
The book flip flops between teaching and her nights as Rose Lee. One may dislike the teaching bits but I really enjoyed them. It allowed the reader to reflect on what was taught in her lessons, or at least I did.
I won’t give away what fully happens but the story had its ups and downs of emotions. There were a lot of highlights and I actually can’t name any letdowns! It was a quick read that I’d recommend to someone if they found the plot as intriguing as I did! 4 stars.
November 22, 2025
A book that had me constantly reevaluating my life in uncomfortable ways. No Touching is an incredibly moving story about the meaning the life told through the story of Jo, a high school philosophy teacher who turns to stripping to feel something again. A wonderfully feminist paean to living for the physical over the mental: what's the use of degrees and books when true living is done through experiences? Explores female relationships (both platonic and romantic) in the sex trade with complexity and passion.
February 14, 2023
This is an interesting little novel translated from French to English. It’s odd, but touching and has a couple of really powerful one liners. A quick read if you’re looking for something a little off beat and kinda racy at moments.
Read
August 28, 2021In a month dedicated to women in translation Italian-born author, Ketty Rouf’s debut novel not only underlines the importance of translations, but also challenges preconceived ideas about being a woman.
Josephine is a philosophy teacher in a suburb of France. The world’s noblest profession is no longer respected, especially not by the students in Josephine’s class. Trapped in a situation she has no control over, which no longer brings her any joy and contentment, she is gradually being worn down by the monotony and soullessness of her everyday life and routine.
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
Josephine is a philosophy teacher in a suburb of France. The world’s noblest profession is no longer respected, especially not by the students in Josephine’s class. Trapped in a situation she has no control over, which no longer brings her any joy and contentment, she is gradually being worn down by the monotony and soullessness of her everyday life and routine.
Full review: https://westwordsreviews.wordpress.co...
January 29, 2022
helluva book. big ottessa moshfegh vibes in this one. and it really hit home, as a teacher.
April 16, 2021
J'ai adoré ce livre et découvrir l'intersection entre monde de la nuit et philosophie, l'empouvoirement par le contrôle du désir de l'autre. 4 étoiles, une de moins pour le slutshaming occasionnel.
January 26, 2022
Probably more of a 3.5 rating, but I'll round up for Goodreads.
I liked that this book was very body positive (at least in regards to the type of bodies one might find in a "Gentlemans" club), and I liked the glimpses of teacher life in France, and the inner workings of the night club life. The plot didn't go where it probably would have gone if it were an American novel, which I am very thankful for.
It was a short and easy read, but the shortness means you don't get enough of the side characters- and there are so many that it was hard to remember all of them (like the student that shows up at the club with his dad), and I read this in two days so I feel like they should have stuck with me more.
Looking forward to discussing this with book club tonight!
I liked that this book was very body positive (at least in regards to the type of bodies one might find in a "Gentlemans" club), and I liked the glimpses of teacher life in France, and the inner workings of the night club life. The plot didn't go where it probably would have gone if it were an American novel, which I am very thankful for.
It was a short and easy read, but the shortness means you don't get enough of the side characters- and there are so many that it was hard to remember all of them (like the student that shows up at the club with his dad), and I read this in two days so I feel like they should have stuck with me more.
Looking forward to discussing this with book club tonight!
January 23, 2022
No Touching by @kettyrouf is extricating and it is the journey of the protagonist of liberating herself from a life that was stifling her. Josephine, a philosophy teacher in her mid 30s had given upon the idea of making a difference in the lives of her teenage students who had the attention span of a goldfish. Living in Paris, a city that screams freedom Josephine was dying a little every day in a job that was constantly moderated and didn't give her the space to grow.
One night, a visit to a strip club changes the course of Josephine's life forever. The air inside smelled like freedom and on a whim, she joined the dancing classes. Eventually, she found herself working in the club and she emerged as whole new person now. Josephine was now Rose Lee, she was composed of teasing lingerie, perfect makeup, high heels and a self-confidence that Josephine could never have. She found solace in the strong female amity amongst the girls in the club, the strange power that she held on men that came to her. Rose Lee had the world at her feet.
The alteration that the protagonist made in her life, to truly experience living in it's rawest form is stunning. A person with a master's degree in philosophy would usually hold the life of a stripper ignominious, but this is the story of a woman consciously making a choice to celebrate her mental and physical self. This book is about giving women choices, she may find herself without the restraint of the society's strict domains of a sense of identity. It is bold and provocative and it questions the parts of life that truly makes us free.
No Touching is a powerful debut, highly feminist in it's nature. It is an ode to women and to freedom.
Thank you @europaeditionsuk for the e-ARC!
One night, a visit to a strip club changes the course of Josephine's life forever. The air inside smelled like freedom and on a whim, she joined the dancing classes. Eventually, she found herself working in the club and she emerged as whole new person now. Josephine was now Rose Lee, she was composed of teasing lingerie, perfect makeup, high heels and a self-confidence that Josephine could never have. She found solace in the strong female amity amongst the girls in the club, the strange power that she held on men that came to her. Rose Lee had the world at her feet.
The alteration that the protagonist made in her life, to truly experience living in it's rawest form is stunning. A person with a master's degree in philosophy would usually hold the life of a stripper ignominious, but this is the story of a woman consciously making a choice to celebrate her mental and physical self. This book is about giving women choices, she may find herself without the restraint of the society's strict domains of a sense of identity. It is bold and provocative and it questions the parts of life that truly makes us free.
No Touching is a powerful debut, highly feminist in it's nature. It is an ode to women and to freedom.
Thank you @europaeditionsuk for the e-ARC!
February 11, 2022
I am going to start this review with some notable quotes from the book that I enjoyed
"Every woman, young and old, beautiful and less beautiful should do this job. For one evening, or a month, or for their whole lives. They would really see men, know what they're made up; it might spare the, a lot of suffering"
"School is where you first learn to take delight in the suffering of others, and we've never really left the playground and it's dirty games."
"Don't forget that a poorly understood desire is one that pushes us toward what seems to be good for us, but is bad in reality"
"What a waste existence is, when you're just waiting for it to be over with."
This book was okay, but that is partially because contemporary literature tends to bore me. I think it was well written and the story and examination of society was good. It defines the art of stripping in such a magnificent light and it was eye-opening. It also revealed the tragedy that can be teaching when failed by administration. There is a cultural block in terms of this being based off of a French education system compared to American, except some things are comparable. It makes you learn to love your own body and find the beauty within yourself. It is definitely a great feminist prose and shows that beauty is at any age, and it can be when you find something you love.
The rating is low because I was bored. It could have been a short story or even just fifty pages. I think the progression of teaching was okay I just found myself getting bored and not being able to read it for extended periods of time. I would only recommend to a select few.
"Every woman, young and old, beautiful and less beautiful should do this job. For one evening, or a month, or for their whole lives. They would really see men, know what they're made up; it might spare the, a lot of suffering"
"School is where you first learn to take delight in the suffering of others, and we've never really left the playground and it's dirty games."
"Don't forget that a poorly understood desire is one that pushes us toward what seems to be good for us, but is bad in reality"
"What a waste existence is, when you're just waiting for it to be over with."
This book was okay, but that is partially because contemporary literature tends to bore me. I think it was well written and the story and examination of society was good. It defines the art of stripping in such a magnificent light and it was eye-opening. It also revealed the tragedy that can be teaching when failed by administration. There is a cultural block in terms of this being based off of a French education system compared to American, except some things are comparable. It makes you learn to love your own body and find the beauty within yourself. It is definitely a great feminist prose and shows that beauty is at any age, and it can be when you find something you love.
The rating is low because I was bored. It could have been a short story or even just fifty pages. I think the progression of teaching was okay I just found myself getting bored and not being able to read it for extended periods of time. I would only recommend to a select few.
September 4, 2021
This look at human nature, all parts of it was exquisite!
January 3, 2021
Joséphine est prof de philosophie dans un lycée de Drancy, elle traîne la grisaille de sa fonction d'enseignante tout comme elle s'enlise dans le gris de sa vie. Tout lui ôte le sentiment d'exister.
Le quotidien de la classe n'est qu'insatisfaction et désillusion : tout est vain, tout est morne, tout est désespérant jusqu'au jour où elle décide prendre des cours d'effeuillage chaque vendredi.
Elle passe une audition dans un club de strip-tease de bonne tenue et est embauchée tout de suite. Elle devient Rose Lee lorsque le monde de la nuit s'éveille.
Habillée de tenues sexy, maquillée comme une Diva de la nuit, elle danse et s'effeuille chaque nuit pour le plaisir des hommes mais aussi pour le sien, celui de se savoir belle et désirable dans le regard masculin. Une seule règle : le client ne touche pas.
Commence pour Joséphine une double vie entre sa vie rangée de professeure de philosophie et sa vie nocturne où elle devient fantasme masculin.
Elle navigue entre la misère d'une profession décriée et le monde des paillettes, du luxe et du fantasme vendu au rythme des danses.
Le grand écart entre les deux mondes peut devenir risqué et brûler les ailes de Rose Lee.
J'ai dévoré "On ne touche pas", j'ai suivi la métamorphose de Joséphine en papillon de nuit Rose Lee, un merveilleux papillon empreint d'humanité : le monde de la nuit regorge de misères silencieuses, sourdes douleurs des adultes, miroir des misères de l'adolescence en plein désarroi face à un avenir incertain, la saveur amère laissée par la capitulation d'une Education Nationale qui ne souhaite qu'alléger les programmes pour qu'ils deviennent peau de chagrin. Pour survivre entre chaque vacances, Joséphine se perd dans la danse, dans la nuit qui glorifie le corps, qui le fait aimer, qui le fait onduler et danser.
J'ai aimé la relation sincère entre Joséphine, professeure de philo, et un de ses élèves, Hadrien, qu'elle guide en répondant à ses lettres : la philosophie permet de comprendre la vie, de mettre des mots sur des concepts qui eux permettront la mise en place d'une réflexion essentielle pour devenir un être autonome. Par petites touches, elle dispense les pensées de Marc-Aurèle, des Stoïciens, de Descartes ou de Spinoza.
Autant Joséphine a peu de relations avec ses collègues du lycée, autant elle tisse des liens forts avec les filles de la nuit... Coquelicot, Fleur, Andrea. Elle danse pour oublier qu'elle est impuissante en classe, pour mettre de côté les défaites quotidiennes et l'absurdité d'un métier en désespérance, nié par le rouleau-compresseur appelé Education Nationale. Ce dernier broie autant les enseignants que les élèves pour faire accepter le concept de l'égalitarisme, pipé d'avance.
Le luxe de Joséphine est d'aimer être admirée par des inconnus dans la pénombre du club, d'être désirée, d'être le fantasme qu'on ne peut atteindre. Le corps et sa sensualité, les deux mamelles d'une véritable liberté d'être.
J'ai été touchée par l'histoire et par l'héroïne narratrice qui se dévoile pour tout simplement vivre, avoir le sentiment si précieux d'exister.
Je danse, je m'effeuille donc je suis. « Je est le même »
Le quotidien de la classe n'est qu'insatisfaction et désillusion : tout est vain, tout est morne, tout est désespérant jusqu'au jour où elle décide prendre des cours d'effeuillage chaque vendredi.
Elle passe une audition dans un club de strip-tease de bonne tenue et est embauchée tout de suite. Elle devient Rose Lee lorsque le monde de la nuit s'éveille.
Habillée de tenues sexy, maquillée comme une Diva de la nuit, elle danse et s'effeuille chaque nuit pour le plaisir des hommes mais aussi pour le sien, celui de se savoir belle et désirable dans le regard masculin. Une seule règle : le client ne touche pas.
Commence pour Joséphine une double vie entre sa vie rangée de professeure de philosophie et sa vie nocturne où elle devient fantasme masculin.
Elle navigue entre la misère d'une profession décriée et le monde des paillettes, du luxe et du fantasme vendu au rythme des danses.
Le grand écart entre les deux mondes peut devenir risqué et brûler les ailes de Rose Lee.
J'ai dévoré "On ne touche pas", j'ai suivi la métamorphose de Joséphine en papillon de nuit Rose Lee, un merveilleux papillon empreint d'humanité : le monde de la nuit regorge de misères silencieuses, sourdes douleurs des adultes, miroir des misères de l'adolescence en plein désarroi face à un avenir incertain, la saveur amère laissée par la capitulation d'une Education Nationale qui ne souhaite qu'alléger les programmes pour qu'ils deviennent peau de chagrin. Pour survivre entre chaque vacances, Joséphine se perd dans la danse, dans la nuit qui glorifie le corps, qui le fait aimer, qui le fait onduler et danser.
J'ai aimé la relation sincère entre Joséphine, professeure de philo, et un de ses élèves, Hadrien, qu'elle guide en répondant à ses lettres : la philosophie permet de comprendre la vie, de mettre des mots sur des concepts qui eux permettront la mise en place d'une réflexion essentielle pour devenir un être autonome. Par petites touches, elle dispense les pensées de Marc-Aurèle, des Stoïciens, de Descartes ou de Spinoza.
Autant Joséphine a peu de relations avec ses collègues du lycée, autant elle tisse des liens forts avec les filles de la nuit... Coquelicot, Fleur, Andrea. Elle danse pour oublier qu'elle est impuissante en classe, pour mettre de côté les défaites quotidiennes et l'absurdité d'un métier en désespérance, nié par le rouleau-compresseur appelé Education Nationale. Ce dernier broie autant les enseignants que les élèves pour faire accepter le concept de l'égalitarisme, pipé d'avance.
Le luxe de Joséphine est d'aimer être admirée par des inconnus dans la pénombre du club, d'être désirée, d'être le fantasme qu'on ne peut atteindre. Le corps et sa sensualité, les deux mamelles d'une véritable liberté d'être.
J'ai été touchée par l'histoire et par l'héroïne narratrice qui se dévoile pour tout simplement vivre, avoir le sentiment si précieux d'exister.
Je danse, je m'effeuille donc je suis. « Je est le même »
July 6, 2021
This book has been described as “A moving story of liberation that shatters tired prejudices about womanhood, sex, and society” so I was intrigued to give it a go. Its the story of Josephine a teacher of philosophy in a school in the suburbs of Paris. Her teenage students are bored and disinterested and she appears to be disillusioned with the sheer mundanity of her day to day existence. All this changes when she walks into a strip club in the Champs-Elysée. Josephine initially decides to become a stripper/dancer almost to see if she can do it, as its a world away from her humdrum daily life. Soon she’s buying seductive lingerie, high heels and make up for her nighttime job as Rose Lee. During her time at the club Rose Lee comes across an A-Z of male customers, and meets an array of strippers/dancers who befriend her. She enjoys the female camaraderie and develops a growing confidence in her ability to inspire desire in her customers. Josephine/Rose Lee maintains a delicate balance although her night job threatens to destabilise her daytime occupation when one evening a customer appears who is a little too close to home.
What I liked about this book was the portrayal of how easy it was for Josephine to be sucked into another life - a life few women would willingly choose; and how it increased her self confidence and self worth. She did not see the job as demeaning and although she enjoyed the financial rewards these did not seem her primary motivation. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of her teaching role and how despite being a vocation, the regimented nature of the job and lack of personal choice could make it tiresome. I found some of the stripping/dancing sections of the book far less appealing but I understand the need for them as a contrast. It made me challenge my own preconceptions.
The author, Ketty Rouf has a Masters in philosophy which is evident in her debut novel - some of the philosophical principles went over my head but I enjoyed them nevertheless. I did enjoy this book but am not sure who I would recommend it to as its an unsettling read.
Well worth a read if you’re a fan of modern European literature and I’m intrigued to see what Ketty Rouf will write next.
Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher Europa Editions UK for the opportunity to read the e-arc in return for an honest review.
What I liked about this book was the portrayal of how easy it was for Josephine to be sucked into another life - a life few women would willingly choose; and how it increased her self confidence and self worth. She did not see the job as demeaning and although she enjoyed the financial rewards these did not seem her primary motivation. I particularly enjoyed the depictions of her teaching role and how despite being a vocation, the regimented nature of the job and lack of personal choice could make it tiresome. I found some of the stripping/dancing sections of the book far less appealing but I understand the need for them as a contrast. It made me challenge my own preconceptions.
The author, Ketty Rouf has a Masters in philosophy which is evident in her debut novel - some of the philosophical principles went over my head but I enjoyed them nevertheless. I did enjoy this book but am not sure who I would recommend it to as its an unsettling read.
Well worth a read if you’re a fan of modern European literature and I’m intrigued to see what Ketty Rouf will write next.
Thanks to the author, NetGalley and the publisher Europa Editions UK for the opportunity to read the e-arc in return for an honest review.
October 20, 2024
3.5/5 – October Book Club: Literary Fiction
“Did it really take me thirty years to be born? Yes, maybe… And at the end of the day, thirty-five really isn’t old at all.”
This book had so, so much potential and it's disappointing how it lacked in many ways. I loved the writing style (or translation style, whichever it is) and level of description at times and found so many beautifully profound one-liners throughout the book, I loved the femininity and connection of female friendships, and I so appreciated the internal conflict between body and mind. I wish I knew French and could read it untranslated.
That being said, I felt so many plotlines, characters, and relationships were underdeveloped. So many aspects of this book felt like, "This is very important to the story! It's crucial to the plot and Josephine's character! Okay, moving on." Things fell flat, and there wasn't enough explanation or development on why it was important. I wish for development on her teaching life, her childhood, her relationship with her mother, on Fleur and so much more. I've seen some people say this could've been a short story; I agree in one sense, if it was to be cut down to only the most important details, but I also believe it would have made a beautifully in-depth, tragic exploration of life and the self if Ketty Rouf had an extra 100-200 pages and developed everything more.
An additional critique: there were too many men with too little to add. Martin was one dimensional and interactions were shallow, Thomas was odd and added little value, Hadrien had potential but, again, fell short. (A surface-level gripe, without thinking about it; analysis would bring about an interesting opinion on misogyny's presence in such a feminist-presenting book.)
At the end, it felt unfinished. Intentional, maybe, given the role of philosophy and how life doesn't always give you closure, but unsatisfying nonetheless. A book about everything and nothing, life and love and death, and a sort of coming-of-age later in life, leaving much to be desired.
“Did it really take me thirty years to be born? Yes, maybe… And at the end of the day, thirty-five really isn’t old at all.”
This book had so, so much potential and it's disappointing how it lacked in many ways. I loved the writing style (or translation style, whichever it is) and level of description at times and found so many beautifully profound one-liners throughout the book, I loved the femininity and connection of female friendships, and I so appreciated the internal conflict between body and mind. I wish I knew French and could read it untranslated.
That being said, I felt so many plotlines, characters, and relationships were underdeveloped. So many aspects of this book felt like, "This is very important to the story! It's crucial to the plot and Josephine's character! Okay, moving on." Things fell flat, and there wasn't enough explanation or development on why it was important. I wish for development on her teaching life, her childhood, her relationship with her mother, on Fleur and so much more. I've seen some people say this could've been a short story; I agree in one sense, if it was to be cut down to only the most important details, but I also believe it would have made a beautifully in-depth, tragic exploration of life and the self if Ketty Rouf had an extra 100-200 pages and developed everything more.
An additional critique: there were too many men with too little to add. Martin was one dimensional and interactions were shallow, Thomas was odd and added little value, Hadrien had potential but, again, fell short. (A surface-level gripe, without thinking about it; analysis would bring about an interesting opinion on misogyny's presence in such a feminist-presenting book.)
At the end, it felt unfinished. Intentional, maybe, given the role of philosophy and how life doesn't always give you closure, but unsatisfying nonetheless. A book about everything and nothing, life and love and death, and a sort of coming-of-age later in life, leaving much to be desired.
July 3, 2021
Genre: Literary Fiction
Release Date: Expected 12th August 2021
Publisher: Europa Editions
Translated from French by Tina Kover
No Touching is a re-release of 'On ne touche pas', originally released in French in 2020 and winner of prix du premier roman 2020, or the Premier Novel Awards.
Following Josephine, a philosophy teacher in the suburbs of Paris. Her daily life is a tedious, never-ending repetition of working and anxiety medication, and ocassionaly reading erotic novels to break the monotony. But at night, she becomes Rose Lee, a glamourous, desired dancer that breaks the grey of her daily life and fills it with colour.
But living a lie is a dangerous game, and soon Josephine realises she's going to have to make a decision between her stable, safe career and her passion before it all slips from her fingertips.
"You have to cling to something and what better to cling to than yourself?"
No Touching is a story about self-love, freedom, pleasure and passion, about the way women are taught to look at themselves and how they're seen through everyone elses eyes.
The writing was beautiful - the harsh juxtaposition of the dreariness of her daily life to the explosion of colour and life she feels as she learns to own her happiness and sexuality was crafted masterfully. The world building was otherworldly in a way, making everything seem just slightly magical in a very boring world. At times I felt the prose was somewhat stiff and kept me slightly at an arms length from Josephine and her journey, but I was still able to connect with her as a character on a personal level.
This was a story about the journey itself - I had guessed early on where the road would take Josephine but watching her as she learned and grew was a pleasure to read.
RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Thank you to Ketty Rouf, Europa Editions and Netgalley for this ARC in return for an honest review.
August 26, 2021
ONE SENTENCE SUMMARY: A story about a woman who needs something more in life and finds excitement in a new line of work.
BRIEF REVIEW: Josephine is a 30 year old woman who teaches philosophy in a high school in Drancy. She's in a rut, suffers from anxiety and has mostly unmotivated students, except for perhaps Hadrien. She dreads going to work and does not feel supported by the powers that be in her school system. Isn't there more to life she wonders?
One evening while on leave from her school job she walks into a strip club along the Champs-Elysee and feels something awaken in her. On a whim she takes an exotic dancing class and before long Josephine (A.K.A. Rosa Lee) becomes a stripper by night. What happens when her lives intersect?
The story may sound somewhat odd and at least certainly different but, Josephine is a complex character. She goes from being a plain Jane teacher to her secret life with sexy lingerie, makeup and high heels and a provocative allure that gives her a new sense of empowerment. She also loves the unexpected joy and of bonding with the new women she works with at the club. She also loves the power she feels she has over the customers. I found Josephine's story rather fascinating but, I just never connected with her. I know it's fiction but just how does a woman suffering from anxiety so easily take on such a drastic transformation. It does appear as if the author has done quite a bit of research about the darker side of strip clubs and what goes on there.
This novella doesn't have a complicated plot and it is just 113 pages. It is definitely not not a story all readers will appreciate but, if you like to change your reading up a bit - I say go for it.
Thanks go to Europa Books and Edelweiss for allowing me access to this book in exchange for my unbiased review. The book was translated from French by Tina Kover who did an excellent job.
RATING: 3.5/5
BRIEF REVIEW: Josephine is a 30 year old woman who teaches philosophy in a high school in Drancy. She's in a rut, suffers from anxiety and has mostly unmotivated students, except for perhaps Hadrien. She dreads going to work and does not feel supported by the powers that be in her school system. Isn't there more to life she wonders?
One evening while on leave from her school job she walks into a strip club along the Champs-Elysee and feels something awaken in her. On a whim she takes an exotic dancing class and before long Josephine (A.K.A. Rosa Lee) becomes a stripper by night. What happens when her lives intersect?
The story may sound somewhat odd and at least certainly different but, Josephine is a complex character. She goes from being a plain Jane teacher to her secret life with sexy lingerie, makeup and high heels and a provocative allure that gives her a new sense of empowerment. She also loves the unexpected joy and of bonding with the new women she works with at the club. She also loves the power she feels she has over the customers. I found Josephine's story rather fascinating but, I just never connected with her. I know it's fiction but just how does a woman suffering from anxiety so easily take on such a drastic transformation. It does appear as if the author has done quite a bit of research about the darker side of strip clubs and what goes on there.
This novella doesn't have a complicated plot and it is just 113 pages. It is definitely not not a story all readers will appreciate but, if you like to change your reading up a bit - I say go for it.
Thanks go to Europa Books and Edelweiss for allowing me access to this book in exchange for my unbiased review. The book was translated from French by Tina Kover who did an excellent job.
RATING: 3.5/5
July 6, 2022
Let me start off with being completely honest, I picked this book up from the library because it was under 200 pages and well, my Goodreads challenge was looking a bit slim. Having also picked up "Hotel Iris" by Yoko Ogawa in the same trip (another translated novel w/ themes surrounding sex with a blue cover), I was pleasantly surprised as to how much I enjoyed "No Touching".
In a simplified manner, the plot revolves around Josephine, a philosopher teacher who has been stuck in the same lackluster teaching job and her gradual foray into club dancing as Rose Lee, a stunning epitome of a sensual woman. Rouf does an excellent job contrasting the daytime chapters of teaching with the nighttime chapters at the club. And without any means are the teaching chapters any less dull than the club ones, while I personally don't have any philosophy background, I was able to appreciate some of the touches Rouf took to weave them throughout the story. The subplot with Hadrian didn't take the ending I expected and I appreciated it so much more so.
The overarching topics that this novel tackled were the Madonna-whore complex and human sexuality. I found Martin and Thomas to be interesting foils but what really made the story was the relationship between all the women at the club, especially Fleur (the scene with her abortion and all the symbolism! I had to reread that chapter). That being said, one might say there is too much lewdness and objectification in the book, however I would argue it is completely justified in its purpose of reclaiming the body and becoming comfortable with it, which was Josephine's original reason for taking dance classes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the symbolism and plain sort of language Rouf used to delve deeper into the expectations of being a woman. Highly recommend and as a read that's under 200 pages, it won't take long to be immersed.
In a simplified manner, the plot revolves around Josephine, a philosopher teacher who has been stuck in the same lackluster teaching job and her gradual foray into club dancing as Rose Lee, a stunning epitome of a sensual woman. Rouf does an excellent job contrasting the daytime chapters of teaching with the nighttime chapters at the club. And without any means are the teaching chapters any less dull than the club ones, while I personally don't have any philosophy background, I was able to appreciate some of the touches Rouf took to weave them throughout the story. The subplot with Hadrian didn't take the ending I expected and I appreciated it so much more so.
The overarching topics that this novel tackled were the Madonna-whore complex and human sexuality. I found Martin and Thomas to be interesting foils but what really made the story was the relationship between all the women at the club, especially Fleur (the scene with her abortion and all the symbolism! I had to reread that chapter). That being said, one might say there is too much lewdness and objectification in the book, however I would argue it is completely justified in its purpose of reclaiming the body and becoming comfortable with it, which was Josephine's original reason for taking dance classes.
Overall, I really enjoyed the symbolism and plain sort of language Rouf used to delve deeper into the expectations of being a woman. Highly recommend and as a read that's under 200 pages, it won't take long to be immersed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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April 3, 2025A short, very French novel about a high school philosophy teacher (we’ve barely started the premise and we’re already into “very French”) who, depressed and demoralised by her job teaching boisterous and disinterested teenagers in a working-class suburb, starts taking exotic dancing classes, then begins working nights at a stripclub. Parts of this I liked a lot: the balance of Joséphine’s new confidence and satisfaction with her too-slow awareness of the drug problems that plague some of her new colleagues, for example. Her growing relationship of mutual respect with a pupil is also good, demonstrating how much better she is as a teacher when it isn’t the only part of her identity. Other parts I found alienating; she’s often unkind about other women, their bodies, their sexualities and choices, in a way that seems unexamined by the author, although perhaps something is missing in translation. As well, Joséphine is one of those literary heroines who seems not to have family members, non-work friends, or outside interests; I’m sure those people do exist, but I don’t enjoy reading about them. If your only activities are “teach” and “strip”, you’re not that interesting a character. There’s explicit comparison of Joséphine’s “life of the mind” and her “life of the body”, but frankly she doesn’t seem to use her mind in a particularly exciting or productive way, and so her use of her body feels oddly sterile, too. Maybe that was the point, that stripping isn’t the quick fix for all of her problems that she thinks it is? Anyway, interesting, but a little too short and opaque and vaguely self-pitying for me to entirely like it. Source: bought new with gift cards
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