BOOK REVIEW - Consent

by Fran Hauser
Guest Editor

Consent: A Memoir by Vanessa Springora

Consent is a deeply disturbing memoir that examines Vanessa Springora's relationship with renowned French author, Gabriel Matzneff. The two met at a party (when she was 14 and he was 50) and quickly began an affair that became an open secret in Paris.

It’s difficult to comprehend how many adults (including her mother) knew about the relationship and looked the other way. Her adolescence was basically taken away from her. She was consumed into her “groomer’s” world and isolated from her friends and family. This book made me so mad that I almost stopped reading it. 

Springora became a muse for Matzneff, with their sexual relationship being written about in his books.  Their relationship continued to haunt her as she got older and, in writing this book, she takes the power back.  

Consent is explosive and vulnerable at the same time. This one will be staying with me for a while. 

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Fran Hauser is a bestselling author, startup investor and champion of women. For more of her book recommendations, follow @fransbookshelf on Instagram.

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