She Came to Stay

She Came to Stay is the first novel by Simone de Beauvoir, the writer also known for her relationship with director/philosopher/everything Jean Paul Satre. The plot is based on the true story of the couple's relationship with another woman and how it tore them apart.

This one took a long time for me to finish as I read in it at least three waves. I'd pick it up, be engrossed for a week, then put it down in disgust and frustration, only to pick it up again a month later. Simone's character, Francoise, is endlessly frustrating.. always acting the angel.. setting rules for herself and following them rigidly despite how obvious it is that this behavior will lead to her depression and demise. If only she would stick up for her true feelings from the beginning, the novel would not need to last 380+ pages. It's torturous to watch her convince herself that she must act a certain way. And it is equally torturous to watch Pierre (Jean Paul's character) not act to save his dying relationship with Francoise sooner. He surely realizes what is to come, but he is too entranced with this other woman.

And the ending! Perhaps it is the curse of the first novel that the author is compelled to make the ending over-the-top dramatic. Unfortunately, it doesn't suit the characters and it left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

Of course, the fact that the book disturbs me so must mean that it is not entirely bad. The reader can't help but become introspective upon reading it as the characters are constantly philosophizing about life and their relationships. Of course it is this constant introspection that makes the book difficult to continuously read.. I wanted to shout at the characters to relax for one day .. just one day to enjoy life and leave the drama behind.