| Author | Irène Némirovsky |
|---|---|
| Original title | Les Biens de ce monde |
| Translator | Sandra Smith |
| Language | French |
| Publisher | Éditions Albin Michel |
Publication date | 1 January 1947 |
| Publication place | France |
Published in English | 2009 |
| Media type | paperback |
| Pages | 268 |
Les Biens de ce monde (All Our Worldly Goods) is a novel byIrène Némirovsky, published posthumously in 1947 byÉditions Albin Michel.[1] Némirovsky had written the novel before her death in 1942, but it was only after World War II that her works, including this novel, were brought to light and published.[2]
The story is set in the early 20th century and follows the lives of the Hardelot family, who run a paper mill in the small town of Saint-Elme, France. The novel centers on Pierre Hardelot, who is expected to marry Simone, a woman chosen by his family. However, Pierre is in love with Agnès, a girl from a lower social class. Defying his family’s wishes, Pierre marries Agnès, leading to a series of conflicts and challenges. The narrative spans both World Wars, depicting the impact of these tumultuous times on the Hardelot family and their business.
Némirovsky’s writing captures the social dynamics and personal struggles of the characters, offering a poignant look at love, duty, and societal expectations.
AS Byatt ofThe Guardian describedAll Our Worldly Goods as an "extraordinary predecessor" to Némirovsky's later work, the unfinishedSuite Française. He noted that Némirovsky had been influenced by Russian writers, as well as French ones likeFlaubert andMaupassant.[3]
 | This articleneeds additional or more specificcategories. Pleasehelp out byadding categories to it so that it can be listed with similar articles.(August 2024) |
 | This article about a 1940s novel is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it. See guidelines for writing about novels. Further suggestions might be found on the article'stalk page. |