No et Moi (french only)

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No's problems do not dissolve even after she finds herself a social worker and temporary shelter. Forced to make a living, she dedicates herself to tireless working hours that eventually drive her over the edge and send her down the path of drink and smoke.

Bound on leaving and finding the life she deserves, No makes grand plans to leave for Ireland where her lover Loïc supposedly waits, and invites Lou to come along. Finally, however, we find out that Loïc was never there. Eventually, it is only No who quietly slips away, leaving No behind, restoring both of them to their 'proper' places and usual lives. It is a heartbreaking ending that throws into light the grand themes of the novel.

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Different worksheets with main quotes from the chapters to analyse or questions that lead your students to analyse On est capable d’ériger des gratte-ciel de six cents mètres de haut, de construire des hôtels sous-marins et des îles artificielles en forme de palmiers, (…) on est capable de créer des aspirateurs autonomes et des lampes qui s’allument toutes seules quand on rentre chez soi. On est capable de laisser des gens vivre au bord du périphérique.

A study of the first 47 chapters of the book with power-point presentations and questions to guide students as well as resources to help you analyse the book. Plenty more resources on the book so please do not hesitate to visit my shop: https://www.tes.com/teaching-resources/shop/MllePierreThe maxim that encapsulates most of the situations in No et Moi and the one that Lou struggles to defeat, is this: les choses sont ce qu’elles sont. Things are what they are. It radiates pessimism and the very fixedness that divides No and Lou and keeps Parisien streets dotted with SDFs. As Lou aptly and poetically puts it, Later, Lou finds No and tells her about the project, getting No’s blessing to share what they discuss. Over time, Lou learns about the reality of life for women who live on the streets: No explains that these women were often abused or lost their jobs. Speaking about this injustice, No tells Lou that she wants her presentation to spread this truth and create compassion for homeless women. No briefly delves into her own story, mentioning that she went into foster care at age twelve. It becomes immediately clear to Lou that the older girl does not have a good relationship with her family, but she does not learn much more, as No refuses to dwell on her life story. Lou and No arrange to meet again after the presentation is finished, so Lou can tell No about how it went. When Lou arrives home, she notices that her mother, Anouk, appears listless and detached, still suffering from the unexpected loss of Lou’s baby sister, Chloe, years before. After Chloe’s death, Anouk spent time in a psychiatric hospital while Lou attended a boarding school. Now that both have returned to Paris, Lou feels compelled to earn her mother’s affection and approval, but Anouk remains distant. At school, Lou gradually makes a friend named Lucas, who seems academically disengaged but is kind-hearted and supportive.