To the Friend Who Did Not Save My Life

"The Lover" is a novel by Hervé Guibert that chronicles three months in the penultimate year of the narrator's life after being diagnosed with AIDS. It became a bestseller and catapulted Guibert into notoriety, sealing his reputation as a writer of shocking precision and power.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 05 August 2021
Publisher: Profile Books Ltd

A Novel of Unforgettable Depth and Emotional Resilience




Hervé Guibert's novel, The Lover, is a profound exploration of the human experience, particularly in the face of adversity. Diagnosed with AIDS in the late 1980s, Guibert wrote this devastating, darkly humorous, and personal account of his final year of life.


The novel follows the narrator, a man named Hervé, as he navigates the complexities of his illness and the emotional toll it takes on him and his loved ones. In the wake of his friend Muzil's death, Hervé embarks on a journey of seeking medical treatment and alternative therapies, all in an attempt to prolong his life and defy the inevitable.


Through his vivid and poignant storytelling, Guibert vividly captures the highs and lows of living with AIDS. He explores the profound impact of illness on relationships, sexuality, and personal identity, as well as the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity.


The Lover scandalized French media upon its publication in 1990, as it was quickly identified as a semi-autobiographical account of Guibert's close friend Michel Foucault. The novel became a bestseller, catapulting Guibert into notoriety and sealing his reputation as a writer of shocking precision and power.


Over the years, The Lover has attained a cult following for its tender, fragmented, and beautifully written accounts of illness, friendship, sex, art, and everyday life. Guibert's writing is characterized by his ability to evoke deep emotions and create vivid, unforgettable characters.


In conclusion, The Lover is a masterpiece of contemporary literature that offers a profound and nuanced exploration of the human experience. Through its raw and honest portrayal of illness, love, and loss, Guibert's novel continues to resonate with readers worldwide, reminding us of the power of resilience and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love.


A Foreword by Maggie Nelson




In her foreword to The Lover, Maggie Nelson writes:


"The Lover is a devastating, darkly humorous, and personal novel that chronicles three months in the penultimate year of the narrator's life. In the wake of his friend Muzil's death, he goes from one quack doctor to another, from holidays to test centers, and charts the highs and lows of trying to cheat death. On publication in 1990, the novel scandalized French media, which quickly identified Muzil as Guibert's close friend Michel Foucault. The book became a bestseller, and Guibert a celebrity. The book has since attained a cult following for its tender, fragmented, and beautifully written accounts of illness, friendship, sex, art, and everyday life. It catapulted Guibert into notoriety and sealed his reputation as a writer of shocking precision and power."


An Introduction by Andrew Durbin




Andrew Durbin, editor of Frieze, provides an introduction to The Lover:


"The Lover is a novel of unforgettable depth and emotional resilience. Diagnosed with AIDS in the late 1980s, Hervé Guibert wrote this devastating, darkly humorous, and personal account of his final year of life. The novel follows the narrator, a man named Hervé, as he navigates the complexities of his illness and the emotional toll it takes on him and his loved ones. In the wake of his friend Muzil's death, Hervé embarks on a journey of seeking medical treatment and alternative therapies, all in an attempt to prolong his life and defy the inevitable. Through his vivid and poignant storytelling, Guibert vividly captures the highs and lows of living with AIDS. He explores the profound impact of illness on relationships, sexuality, and personal identity, as well as the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity. On publication in 1990, the novel scandalized French media, as it was quickly identified as a semi-autobiographical account of Guibert's close friend Michel Foucault. The novel became a bestseller, catapulting Guibert into notoriety and sealing his reputation as a writer of shocking precision and power. Over the years, The Lover has attained a cult following for its tender, fragmented, and beautifully written accounts of illness, friendship, sex, art, and everyday life. Guibert's writing is characterized by his ability to evoke deep emotions and create vivid, unforgettable characters. In conclusion, The Lover is a masterpiece of contemporary literature that offers a profound and nuanced exploration of the human experience. Through its raw and honest portrayal of illness, love, and loss, Guibert's novel continues to resonate with readers worldwide, reminding us of the power of resilience and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love."


An Afterword by Edmund White




Edmund White, a renowned author and critic, provides an afterword to The Lover:


"The Lover is a novel of unforgettable depth and emotional resilience. Diagnosed with AIDS in the late 1980s, Hervé Guibert wrote this devastating, darkly humorous, and personal account of his final year of life. The novel follows the narrator, a man named Hervé, as he navigates the complexities of his illness and the emotional toll it takes on him and his loved ones. In the wake of his friend Muzil's death, Hervé embarks on a journey of seeking medical treatment and alternative therapies, all in an attempt to prolong his life and defy the inevitable. Through his vivid and poignant storytelling, Guibert vividly captures the highs and lows of living with AIDS. He explores the profound impact of illness on relationships, sexuality, and personal identity, as well as the resilience and strength that can be found in the face of adversity. On publication in 1990, the novel scandalized French media, as it was quickly identified as a semi-autobiographical account of Guibert's close friend Michel Foucault. The novel became a bestseller, catapulting Guibert into notoriety and sealing his reputation as a writer of shocking precision and power. Over the years, The Lover has attained a cult following for its tender, fragmented, and beautifully written accounts of illness, friendship, sex, art, and everyday life. Guibert's writing is characterized by his ability to evoke deep emotions and create vivid, unforgettable characters. In conclusion, The Lover is a masterpiece of contemporary literature that offers a profound and nuanced exploration of the human experience. Through its raw and honest portrayal of illness, love, and loss, Guibert's novel continues to resonate with readers worldwide, reminding us of the power of resilience and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with those we love."

Weight: 238g
Dimension: 128 x 199 x 22 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781788168397
Edition number: Main - Classic Edition