The narratives of Patrick Modiano are crossed by female characters as evanescent as unforgettable who play a preponderant role in the development of the plot. According to a poetic marked by reluctance, a few traits are sufficient for the novelist to make (re) live Yvonne Jacquet, Denise Coudreuse, Carmen Blin, Gay Orloff or Dora Bruder. An original and detailed analysis of the attributes and functions of these characters, this book reminds us of the cohesion associating aesthetic form, thematic content and ethical imperatives in Modiano's work and writing.--Part of page 4 of cover translated by Fabula.