Mothers, Daughters, and the Supernatural: A Conversation with Marie NDiaye

The French Library is honored to welcome Prix Goncourt-winning author Marie NDiaye for a rare Boston appearance. Blending the uncanny with precise psychological insight, NDiaye’s work has long explored the invisible forces shaping family life, identity, and power. In this conversation, she will reflect on her literary career, her approach to writing across genres, and her exploration of the uncanny within everyday life. The discussion will also explore recurring themes in her work, including intergenerational inheritance,and the complex emotional landscapes between mothers and daughters. Together, NDiaye and Saraswat will discuss writing women who claim agency in worlds structured to silence them, and how elements of the supernatural can illuminate deeply human realities. Praise and Recognition for Vengeance is Min e (Knopf, 2025) National Book Critics Circle Award Finalist • The New York Times Book Review Editors’ Choice A Best Book of the Year: The New Yorker, TIME, The Washington Post, The Guardian, CrimeReads, Words Without Borders “[NDiaye] is a master at agitating, probing, and upending expectations.” — The New York Times Book Review “You won’t be able to put it down.” — Vogue This presentation will be followed by a Q&A, a book signing, and a glass of wine.