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Are you looking for a read or do you want to debate her best work? I'll be honest, I started with *Song of Achilles* like most people, but it's *Adèle* that really got to me. The thing with this book is that it's not just a creepy psychological novel - it's almost a case study on obsession and self-destruction, presented in such a raw and intimate way that you're forced to confront uncomfortable stuff. Slimani's writing in it is more naked, less polished than in *Song of Achilles*, which paradoxically makes it more powerful.
That said, I'm not unbiased - I love books that make me uncomfortable and haunt me for weeks. *Adèle* did that. *Song of Achilles* is brilliant too for sure, especially if you're looking for a well-crafted psychological thriller that'll hook you right away. But *Adèle* is riskier, more experimental, and honestly I liked it more precisely because of that. If you're the type to prefer a classically narrated, well-structured story, you'll probably connect more with *Song of Achilles*. If you want to be shaken up, *Adèle*.
Have you actually read Slimani yourself or are you just looking for a recommendation? Personally, I found *Chanson Douce* (or *The Perfect Nanny*) really captivating, that thing makes you uncomfortable from the start and it doesn't let go. The atmosphere is suffocating, the characters constantly make you want to shake them, and the way she builds tension is just really well done. It's the kind of book that stays with you long after you finish it.
Olivier Girard asker
I've read a few of her novels, thanks for the recommendation! *Chanson douce* really interests me.
I'd say "best" is kind of a trap with Slimani because her novels really work differently depending on what you're looking for. *Song for a Gentle Heart* is definitely hypnotic, but it's almost too accessible, too well-known - everyone's read it and you end up with expectations shaped by the hype. Which is a shame because it sometimes stops you from really getting into it without the baggage.
*Adèle* really hit me differently. The thing is the novel does something more complex with guilt and obsession - it's not a page-turner psychological thriller kind of thing, it's weirder, more internal you know. It disturbs you more because you can't really judge the protagonist the same way. *In the Ogre's Garden* is worth it too, even though fewer people talk about it.
In my opinion the "best" really depends on what you want: if you want dark suspense that's satisfying narrative-wise, *Song for a Gentle Heart* does the job. But if you're looking for something that'll haunt you longer and force you to think about how we tell the story of characters' intimacy, you gotta dig deeper into her bibliography. Just because something's famous doesn't mean it's her masterpiece.
*The Song of the Distressed* won the Prix Goncourt in 2016, which already says something about its reach. But honestly, it's not necessarily the best in her catalog - just the most accessible. It's true that the suffocating atmosphere of the book hits you with a dull dread from the start, and it stays effective. On the other hand, it really works if you're into psychological stuff that loops back on itself.
What people often forget is that Slimani excels at portraits of women in tension with themselves. *Adèle* for example is less of a page-turner than *The Song of the Distressed*, but it's way more ambitious narratively speaking. There's a raw lucidity in it that comes through more than classic suspense. It really depends if you're after an oppressive atmosphere or a real psychological dissection. Both are good, but for different reasons.
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