The End of Eddy by Édouard Louis
About the event
As usual, we will be meeting upstairs at The Shakepeare Hotel, 200 Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, on Thursday 12 November 2026.
*The End of Eddy* is a semi-autobiographical novel about a gay boy growing up in a poor, working-class village in northern France. It follows Eddy, as he struggles against a violent culture of poverty and social exclusion. It was orginally titled *En finir avec Eddy Bellegueule* (2014)
Growing up in a very rough environment, Eddy is mocked for his effeminate voice, mannerisms and interests. He gets bullied at school and treated with contempt at home. A central theme is Eddy’s attempt to escape the identity imposed on him. Education is his escape, where he leaves his village and constructs a new identity. The book ends not with a simple triumph but with the painful recognition that escaping poverty and prejudice also means distancing himself from his family and origins.
It is a relatively short book, and easily available online and through the inter-library loan service of local libraries. Copies available from our friend Anna. Contact Dale for a pdf on dalemills@cantab.net
We meet upstairs. Look for the sign or ask at the bar. We are a friendly lot and welcome newcomers.
