“Life is like a crocodile: it watches you with yellow eyes, waiting for the right moment to strike.”
The novel follows the lives of two sisters, Joséphine and Iris, whose contrasting personalities and choices lead them on unexpected paths. Joséphine, a timid medieval history scholar, struggles with financial instability and a failing marriage, while Iris, a glamorous but shallow socialite, thrives on appearances and manipulation.
When Iris’s husband leaves her for another woman, she panics about losing her luxurious lifestyle. Meanwhile, Joséphine, desperate for income, begins secretly writing a historical novel under Iris’s name after her sister convinces her it will be an easy success. The book becomes a bestseller, but the deception spirals out of control as Iris basks in the fame while Joséphine remains unrecognized.
As tensions rise, Joséphine gains confidence through her secret success, while Iris’s life unravels due to her deceit. Their mother, Henriette, adds to the drama with her judgmental interference, and Joséphine’s daughters, Hortense and Zoé, navigate their own coming-of-age struggles amid the family chaos.
Eventually, the truth about the authorship threatens to surface, forcing both sisters to confront their choices. Joséphine must decide whether to claim her work or remain in the shadows, while Iris faces the consequences of her lies. The story explores themes of identity, ambition, and the complex bonds of sisterhood.
Key Ideas
- The duality of appearances vs. reality in personal and professional lives.
- The transformative power of self-confidence and hidden talents.
- The corrosive effects of deceit on relationships.
- The tension between familial duty and personal ambition.
- The resilience of women navigating societal expectations.
Who should read this book?
- Fans of character-driven family sagas with emotional depth.
- Readers interested in stories about sisterhood and self-reinvention.
- Those who enjoy satirical takes on social status and ambition.