Award-winning author, Lola Lafon continues her exploration of the psyches of young girls–their fragility, their resilience.

Fontenay, a Parisian suburb, 1984. Cléo is 12 when her parents prod her into taking ballet classes. She drops out after a long year of feeling lost, not classy nor graceful enough, and undoubtedly not as rich as the other kids.

By chance, she signs up for Modern Jazz class at a MJC–a state funded organization whose mission is to provide access to art and culture to all children.

Modern Jazz is her calling, and soon Cléo is transformed, working out constantly, dreaming of becoming a professional dancer. That’s when she catches the attention of Cathy, an elegant middle-aged woman, who is a talent scout for Galatée–a foundation that gives fellowships to exceptionally gifted teenagers.

Fascinated by Cathy and the many gifts with which this providential “godmother” is showering her, Cléo introduces her to her parents, receiving their blessing to spend more and more time with her, ultimately falling prey to Galatée’s trap.

Lola Lafon
Lola Lafon was raised in Bucharest, Sofia, and Paris. Tackling ideological themes such as capitalism, antifascism, utopia or feminism, her novels have been finalists for several French literary awards.

• Nov 30 2021
  “Layered and disquieting.”
  — Kirkus Reviews