Sad Tiger by Neige Sinno: A Conversation on Memory, Trauma, and Literature

Friday, April 4, 2025 From 7:00 PM To 8:30 PM Add to Calendar 2025-04-04 19:00:00 2025-04-04 20:30:00 Sad Tiger by Neige Sinno: A Conversation on Memory, Trauma, and Literature Join us off-site at Brookline Booksmith in Coolidge Corner for a powerful and timely conversation with French author Neige Sinno and her translator Natasha Lehrer, joined by writer Nina MacLaughlin, for the release of Sad Tiger, winner of the Prix Femina. Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard Street, Brookline, Massachusetts, United States America/New_York

At Brookline Booksmith Get Directions

Join us off-site at Brookline Booksmith in Coolidge Corner for a powerful and timely conversation with French author Neige Sinno and her translator Natasha Lehrer, joined by writer Nina MacLaughlin, to discuss the U.S. release of Sad Tiger, winner of the Prix Femina.

A literary phenomenon in France and the recipient of numerous prestigious awards, Sad Tiger is an unflinching exploration of sexual violence, memory, trauma, and the act of writing itself. With haunting clarity and literary depth, Neige Sinno confronts the events of her childhood through a fragmented yet poetic narrative, interwoven with reflections on the works of authors such as Nabokov, Woolf, Morrison, Angot, and Despentes.

“Reading Sad Tiger is like descending into an abyss with your eyes open. It forces you to see, to really see, what it means to be a child abused by an adult, for years. Everyone should read it.” — Annie Ernaux

Book Pre-Sales:

Books will be available for purchase at the event, but you can ensure that you get a copy by preordering on this page. You can pick your book up after 6:30PM on the day of the event.

For tickets, please register on Eventbrite

This event will take place in English and include a conversation with the translator about French literature in translation.

Members/Non Members

Free

About the Author:

Neige Sinno is a French writer and translator who has lived in Mexico for over 20 years. She is the author of Le Camionand La Vie des rats. Her 2023 book Triste tigre (Sad Tiger), translated into English by Natasha Lehrer and published by Seven Stories Press, became the literary sensation of the year in France.

About the Translator:

Natasha Lehrer

is an award-winning translator and cultural critic who has translated the works of Chantal Thomas, Vanessa Springora, Amin Maalouf, and more. She contributes regularly to the Times Literary Supplement, The Guardian, and The Observer.

About the Moderator:

Nina MacLaughlin is the author of several acclaimed books, including

Wake, Siren and Hammer Head. Her essays and reviews have appeared in

The New York Times Book Review, The Paris Review Daily , and many other publications.

Upcoming Events

See All Upcoming Events

Kids & Families

L'Heure du Conte

French story time!

Saturday, April 18, 2026

We invite parents and children to gather in the children's room of our library for a magical story time in French!

Social & Community

English Book Club - Émile Zola

In-person, Indoor Event in English

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Join us at the French Library for a conversation on The Belly of Paris by Émile Zola. We invite you to read the book in its entirety and meet us on April 21st, from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.