[Criticism] Based on a true story by Delphine de Vigan, intensity and doubt

In 2015, after her huge success of Rien ne s'opposition à la nuit, Delphine de Vigan returns to the front of the stage with her new novel for which she is expected at the turn. That's when the audience can discover Based on a True Story. 

Based on a true story appears in the logical sequel to Nothing Opposes the Night (opposite).Indeed, in the latter, she told the story of her family and particularly the tragic fate of her mother. The success she met for this (auto)biographical novel is immeasurable. Readers are conquis.es by his words and writing, and also by the fact that it is a real story. Following this, we already have more clues as to the choice of the title of his novel Based on a true story, released four years after Nothing opposes the night. 

Based on a true story tells the story of Delphine, writer, who meets a woman who will turn his life upside down. Delphine met this woman during a major period for her: when she found herself at the center of media attention following the success of her latest novel. 

From this description, we realize that this seems to be the author's life since the situation echoes what she experienced. 

Two linked destinies: Delphine and L. 

This novel is the meeting of two women: Delphine and L., almost living a love at first sight. Only, we will quickly realize the behavior of L. – whose first name will never be known in full – on Delphine. A balance of power is exerted between the two, and L. is convinced that she knows what is good for Delphine, what is necessary for Delphine. 

The two women, disturbingly resembling each other, will quickly live a fusional relationship. 

The title of the book speaks for itself: this novel seems to be drawn from real facts. The author accurately describes the life of Delphine, who lives a life similar to ours: she takes the metro at Porte de Versailles, arrives in Montparnasse, takes line 3 to go to her apartment in the 11th arrondissement of Paris. All this, she describes it to us with a real anchoring in reality. The author even decided to call her main character and narrator Delphine, like her, and all the other characters seem to be also borrowed from her life, such as François, Delphine's spouse in the book, who is also the first name of Delphine's spouse in life, François Busnel. In short, the setting of the novel is totally similar to that of the author in life. 

Then, L. Appears. L., which is the subject of the novel. She is described as a very beautiful woman, as Delphine would like to be. Delphine even states so far that she has never felt sexual desire for a woman, but that L. He may have triggered this sexual desire. L. and Delphine quickly live a relationship of fusional "friendship". However, L. will become very present in Delphine's life, and will even go so far as to take Delphine's place for some of her travels. 

But who really is L. ? 

L., met at a party, is immediately a very enigmatic character. She seems to have a difficult life and a rather tortured past, which Delphine will try to dissect and understand. This woman, who will soon be attached to Delphine, gives her advice about her future novel and thinks she knows for Delphine what she should write. Enter L. and Delphine, there will be a tension about it. Indeed, L. thinks that Delphine should write about the True, and that people don't want to read fiction, and that anyway Delphine won't really know how to write fiction. From there, the relationship between the two women will intensify and deteriorate, eventually escaping the worst. 

Why is According to a True Story so rich? 

Unfortunately, it is difficult to talk about this novel for fear of saying too much and revealing all its secrets. We can still say that the author has masterfully managed to explore the theme of reality and fiction. This is found from a micro point of view, between the characters and their personal stories, as well as from a macro point of view, on the whole story itself and its actions that flow from it. The author has very cleverly constructed a book that makes us ask ourselves a thousand questions about literature, whether it is important to always write about the truth, or whether imagination and fiction are equally important. This love and fight between two women who bond at the same time as they confront each other make us live through the lines a remarkable story, which leaves the reader in a permanent doubt. 

Psychological malaise

Based on a True Story is a psychological novel, which could almost be classified as a thriller. There is a striking resemblance to Stephen King's Misery , especially towards the end of the novel. The book is probably a tribute to Misery, since he is even quoted twice. 

Based on a True Story is a novel in which one feels anguish, fear and fear. We live at the same time as Delphine this rather difficult period of her life and with her, we ask ourselves questions about the true intentions of L.. Based on a True Story is a book that explores the question of our intellectual capacities, and how they can be disturbed. Sometimes by oneself or by someone else. Or sometimes both. It is a book that also explores, of course, the relationships to the Other, and also the relationships we have with ourselves. The book leaves us to reflect on the evil, that others can make us suffer, but also on the harm that we can inflict on ourselves.

With this novel, Delphine De Vigan has been able to make us switch between reality and fiction. How realistic can fiction be, and how far can reality actually be fiction?

It's up to you to discover it in this chilling novel, which will not make you come out indifferent. 

So, do you believe it?