All Our Worldly Goods

Les Biens de ce monde is a novel by Irène Némirovsky, published posthumously in 1947 by Éditions Albin Michel. 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.

Plot

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.

Reception

AS Byatt of The Guardian described All Our Worldly Goods as an "extraordinary predecessor" to Némirovsky's later work, the unfinished Suite Française. He noted that Némirovsky had been influenced by Russian writers, as well as French ones like Flaubert and Maupassant.