Agnès Moreau

The narrator of The Book of Goose is Agnès Moreau, a Frenchwoman who—after a brief career as a child author—moves to the United States. Agnès’ recollection of her childhood friendship with Fabienne takes up the bulk of the novel. Agnès describes herself through juxtaposition with Fabienne; she notes, “I could read and write better. I was taller and my body had begun to fill out a little, not as bony as hers… In general I had a more pleasant look” (25). While Fabienne is bold, independent, and often cruel, Agnès is more mild-mannered. In her relationship with Fabienne, she is particularly passive. She perpetually allows Fabienne to make decisions for both of them. Early in the novel, she openly states, “I lived through her. What was left behind was only my shell” (46).

The novel opens with Agnès as an adult...