Celina

'Living in exile in the Channel Islands, the irrepressibly philandering author of Les Miserables went through what is called his "Chambermaid Period". In this moving short novel, Catherine Axelrad gives us the great man and his retinue, his house and his mania for Gothic decor, the island and the threatening sea, all through the eyes of a chambermaid-not a fantasy maid, but the real girl from Alderney whose death in 1861 saddened the whole Hugolian establishment. In this lively translation by Philip Terry, Axelrad's portrait of a normal yet unique Victorian household seen from "downstairs" is a true gem.' - David Bellos, author of The Novel of the Century. The Extraordinary Adventure of Les Miserables; ‘Seen through Celina’s eyes, told with her curiosity, her wonder, her sharp observations, what we witness unfolding here is not so much Victor Hugo’s life as that of the young narrator. We see the intelligence she brings to bear, playing her few cards just so in a time which may be the most patriarchal in our history: the nineteenth century. Catherine Axelrad describes a quiet young woman who nevertheless hears everything, sees everything, silently appraises her lovers, picks and chooses, and escapes submission in her own way. It’s a joyful read.’ - Colombe Schneck, author of The Paris Trilogy; 'Pitch-perfect, and so light yet so profound. All of Axelrad's books have at their centre a silent, vulnerable young woman, but also one who is tough and resilient, totally unsentimental but deeply responsive and actually very intelligent. How such a person emerges out of such apparent silence is the wonder of her work. Celina is as quiet and devastating a novel as I have read in a long time. Unforgettable.' - Gabriel Josipovici, author of 100 Days; 'What an unsettling of the statue of father Hugo! Refreshing.' - Elisabeth Lequeret, La vie; 'A tender, melancholic tale where Catherine Axelrad has managed to avoid all pitfalls. Neither the story of the poor servant; nor that of the great discontent; nor that of the lascivious old man handing out two francs - scrupulously accounted for in his notebook - in return for special favours. No - only the true and touching voice of young Celina Henry, perfectly captured and wondrously restored, which the fine phrases overheard at Hauteville House have, if nothing else, helped liberate from those last sorry days.' - Mona Ozouf, L'Obs; 'A Victor Hugo whom we do not know, for never had he been presented against this backdrop, nor indeed as part of the banal unfolding of daily life. A discovery, in fact, especially because he is not the book's main character. This is well and truly the story of Celina Henry, the maid, who discovers - and thereby enables us to discover - a man ultimately like so many others, with his ordinary share of qualities and flaws.' - Clement Borgal, La Republique du Centre