Lili Is Crying, Hélène Bessette’s debut novel, explores the fraughtness and depth of the troubling relationship between Lili and her mother Charlotte. With a near-mythic quality, Bessette’s stripped-back prose evokes at once the pain of thwarted love—of desire run cold—and the promise of renewal. Lauded by critics on its initial publication in 1953 for its boundary-pushing style,
Lili Is Crying transformed Bessette into a cult author in France. Moving and maddening in turns, the characters are so trapped in their own cruelty and sorrows, but in its spareness it feels true: “Show me a woman who has actually chosen something.” Championed by Raymond Queneau, then an editor at Gallimard, Bessette’s novels were hailed for their experimentation, unusual economy of expression, rarity, strange humor, and their sheer vivacity.
This book title, Lili Is Crying, ISBN: 9780811239660, by Hélène Bessette, Kate Briggs, Eimear McBride, published by New Directions (June 3, 2025) is available in paperback. Our minimum order quantity is 25 copies. All standard bulk book orders ship FREE in the continental USA and delivered in 4-10 business days.
Unlike Amazon and other retailers who may also offer Lili Is Crying books on their website, we specialize in large quantities and provide personal service, from trusted, experienced, friendly people in Portland, Oregon. We offer a Price Match Guarantee, and QuickQuote form, to make purchasing quick and easy.
Prefer to work with a human being when you order Lili Is Crying books in bulk? Our Book Specialists are standing by Monday-Friday 8-5 PST, ready to help!
