Do What They Say Or Else

Originally published in 1977, Do What They Say or Else is the second novel by French author Annie Ernaux

“In this, her second published novel, Annie Ernaux writes the psycho-biology of being fifteen years old with perfect recall. Do What They Say or Else conveys the cost of upward mobility & the desire to just throw it all away. Ernaux is in perfect control of her narrator’s wildness. The result is vivid and tough.” — Chris Kraus, author of After Kathy Acker: A Literary Biography

Set in a small town in Normandy, France, the novel tells the story of a fifteen-year-old girl named Anne, who lives with her working-class parents. The story, which takes place during the summer & fall of Anne’s transition from middle school to high school, is narrated in a stream-of-consciousness style from her point of view. Ernaux captures Anne’s adolescent voice, through which she expresses her keen observations in a highly colloquial style.

“Annie Ernaux is often celebrated for her minimalist & documentary style. Yet this second novel, very funny at times, is narrated from the perspective of a teenage girl, with a vindictive & self-deprecating tone that ranges from the colloquial to the outright vulgar. This translation is a true tour de force!” — Bruno Thibault, author of Danièle Sallenave et le don des morts

As the novel progresses & Anne’s feelings about her parents, her education, & her sexual encounters evolve, she grows into a more mature but also more conflicted & unhappy character, leaving behind the innocence of her middle school years. Not only must she navigate the often-confusing signals she receives from boys, but she also finds herself moving further & further away from her parents as she surpasses their educational level & worldview.