‘No et Moi’ by Delphine De Vigan: A Literary Analysis
Written by: Najom Abriel Tanedo
“If everyone took in a homeless person, if everyone decided to look after just one person, to help them and be with them, perhaps there’d be fewer of them on the streets.” A fictional prose centered around complex themes of social issues anchored specifically on poverty, class, and the search for one’s self-understanding; “No et Moi” is a novel written by the French author Delphine De Vigan and was first published in France in 2007 by Editions Julliard. It was translated into many languages for mass purchases after its initial release in the French market. Upon receiving ratings from highly acclaimed critics, the novel conquered several awards, including the Prix des Libraires (The Booksellers’ Prize) and the Prix Sorcieres in the youth category. Years after the book’s publication, a film adaptation has been taped and was later aired in 2010, and while the book continues to flash its luster, De Vigan became a full-time professional writer — renowned, distinguished, and prominent.
“No et Moi” can be seen as an example of the “coming of age” archetype in literature. This archetype refers to a narrative in which a young protagonist goes through a transformative journey, usually involving self-discovery and personal growth. The protagonist typically starts off as a child or teenager, and through the course of the story, they learn valuable lessons and gain a better understanding of themselves and the world around them.
“No et Moi” primarily takes place in the present time in the city of Paris, France — the wealthy neighborhoods of the 16th arrondissement, where Lou lives and goes to school, and the more working-class neighborhoods of the 10th arrondissement, where No lives on the street. From the setting itself, the readers can already establish an idea in their minds of what the main premise will be. On the surface, we would perceive that the writer wants to highlight the life between the socioeconomic backgrounds of those who are in the upper and lower class, the contradistinction of their lifestyle, the struggles of those who are less fortunate, as well their plethora of stark differences. But as we further immersed ourselves in the story, we would see how the characters of the novel actually exhibit very identical similarities in spite of the vast gap in their social status. In the context of their likeness, both are outsiders in their own way, ironically castaways of society, struggling in search of acceptance and belonging. Nonetheless, it is through that correlation of lost-bound instances that built a genuine lifelong friendship between the two, insinuating a sense of empathy and evoking compassion in the readers.
The story, as narrated, follows a 13-year-old girl named Lou Bertignac who feels disconnected from her privileged life into which struggles with her identity and relationship. She is a gifted student but due to her and her classmates’ two-year age gap, she almost feels like a social outcast at school, on top of that, she endures feelings of isolation and separation from her family, perhaps because she doesn’t feel understood nor valued by them. Throughout the novel, it is shown that her parents were too preoccupied with their careers thus, they don’t have much time to bond with her. Later on, she had her fate intertwined with No who is around her same age. She is an outsider because of her homelessness and status as the “street kid” and is used to the harsh realities of her community. No’s life on the streets is in no way easy and comfortable, she constantly deals with a potential danger that might ambush her anytime; considering that she also deals with her past traumas rooted in physical and sexual abuse, without keen awareness, she is a lamb in the slaughter. When the two, however, crossed paths, life unexpectedly manifested a bright side for them to unfold.
One of the notable aspects of the novel, as described, is its portrayal of characters. Lou is a relatable and complex protagonist, with her own struggles and insecurities. Regardless of her privileged life, the reader is able to empathize with her due to her clear motif which the author’s writing style made possible. On par with Lou, No, who is a homeless girl is also a well-developed character with a tragic backstory that will touch every reader’s heart.
Lou Bertignac, the protagonist, can be seen as an example of the “innocent” archetype. This archetype refers to a character who is pure and untouched by the harsh realities of the world. Lou is a 13-year-old girl who comes from a privileged background and has led a sheltered life, unaware of the poverty and homelessness that exists in the world until she meets No and learns about her difficult life on the streets. Throughout the novel, Lou’s innocence is gradually stripped away as she comes to understand the injustices of the world and becomes more empathetic and compassionate.
No, on the other hand, is a homeless girl, who can be seen as an example of the “outcast” archetype. This archetype refers to a character who is rejected by society and lives on the fringes of it. No is a street girl who is ostracized by the rest of society because of her poverty and homelessness. She is viewed as an outsider and is not welcomed by most people she meets. Despite this, she is a strong and resilient character, who is determined to survive and make a better life for herself.
Apart from the novel’s incredibly written characters is its remarkable exploration of themes, including social problems, poverty and inequality, the transitional phase of adolescence and questions of identity, and the value of empathy and compassion. ‘De Vigan’ has conveyed each realistically in a way that their dynamic connects with one another well-balanced. In addition, each of the said themes brings forth a life-fundamental lesson that one would take into heart.
In conclusion, “No et Moi” is a novel written for young adults with the use of language that is easy to understand, making it accessible to a wide range of readers. It seeks to remind us that even though our struggles are not as heavy, or as proportional to others doesn’t automatically mean it’s invalid. What we feel isn’t measured by a certain wavelength that needs to be surpassed, but rather something to be released, relived, and coped up with. Furthermore, the prose denotes how important it is to develop a friendship, for the companionship and support system that dwells within overcomes many life challenges.
With its complex and diverse characters — relatable and well-written; and socially significant themes — both immersive and insightful; it is something that one should give a try reading.