The Book of Proper Names

<p>From France's 'literary lioness' (<i>Elle</i>), <b>The Book of Proper Names</b> is the story of the hapless orphan girl, Plectrude. Raised by her aunt, and unaware of the dark secret behind her past, she is a troubled but dreamy child who is both blessed and cursed by her intoxicating eyes. Discovered to have enormous gifts as a dancer, she is accepted at Paris's most prestigious ballet school where she devotes herself to artistic perfection, until her body can take no more.</p> <p>In a brilliantly succinct story of haunted adolescence and lost mothers, Nothomb propels the narrative forward until Plectrude is forced to take command of her own fate.</p> <p>Vintage Nothomb, <b>The Book of Proper Names</b> marks the UK debut of one of the most brilliant, ambitious, and idiosyncratic voices to have emerged in years.</p> <p>'Slyly outrageous. [Nothomb] both disturbs and amuses.' <i>New York Times</i></p> <p>'Readers who have yet to discover the feather-ruffling pleasures of reading popular Belgian author Nothomb, winner of the Prix du Roman de l'Acad�mie Fran�aise and other prizes, should jump at the chance.' <i>Kirkus Reviews</i></p>