All Our Worldly Goods

All Our Worldly Goods

First edition cover
Author	Irène Némirovsky
Original title	Les Biens de ce monde
Translator	Sandra Smith
Language	French
Publisher	Éditions Albin Michel
Publication date	1 January 1947
Publication place	France
Published in English	2009
Media type	paperback
Pages	268

Les Biens de ce monde (All Our Worldly Goods) is a novel by Irène Némirovsky, published posthumously in 1947 by Éditions Albin Michel. Némirovsky had written the novel before her death in 1942, but it was only after World War II that her works, including this novel, were brought to light and published.

Plot

The story is set in the early 20th century and follows the lives of the Hardelot family, who run a paper mill in the small town of Saint-Elme, France. The novel centers on Pierre Hardelot, who is expected to marry Simone, a woman chosen by his family. However, Pierre is in love with Agnès, a girl from a lower social class. Defying his family’s wishes, Pierre marries Agnès, leading to a series of conflicts and challenges. The narrative spans both World Wars, depicting the impact of these tumultuous times on the Hardelot family and their business.

Némirovsky’s writing captures the social dynamics and personal struggles of the characters, offering a poignant look at love, duty, and societal expectations.

Reception

AS Byatt of The Guardian described All Our Worldly Goods as an "extraordinary predecessor" to Némirovsky's later work, the unfinished Suite Française. He noted that Némirovsky had been influenced by Russian writers, as well as French ones like Flaubert and Maupassant.