["Those Without Shadows"] holds little in common with the uncommon gifts that rightfully contributed to the glowing reputation of the young author of "Bonjour Tristesse" and "A Certain Smile." Lacking the spark of life, her nine characters, awkwardly and ineffectively molded, become puppets in search of a plot and, more seriously, in search of their author….

In French, ["Those Without Shadows"] is called Dans Un Mois, Dans Un An, and refers to the month or the year when lovers cease to be in love. This is the theme that shapes the affairs of Miss Sagan's cast. Members of a tightly knit group of sophisticated Parisians …, they tangentially touch each other in a series of emotional partnerships. Almost, the events assume the choreographical outlines of a dance with partners changing as the music and the tempo of their desire change….

While she quickly flits back and forth over these...