LIE WITH ME

Philippe Besson/ Penguin

Described as stunning and heart- gripping by André Aciman, author of Call Me by Your Name, this is one of the most exciting and seductive foreign- language gay novels. Just outside a hotel in Bordeaux, famous writer Philippe chances upon a young man who bears a striking resemblance to his first love. Flashback to Philippe’s teenage years, to a winter morning in 1984, a small French high school and a carefully timed encounter. It’s the start of a secret, intensely passionate, world- changing love affair between Philippe and his classmate, Thomas. Moving, intense, sad and sensuous, the French edition was a number- one best- seller and won the Maison de la Presse prize. This version was translated by Pretty in Pink actress Molly Ringwald.

Out now