Sebag Clemence - Thank you for this moment: a story of love, power and betrayal

T HIS IS NO ordinary memoir. It tells the story of a love affair that went very wrong. The author bares her soul in a way that is at times painful and searing. It is a story that needs to be read by anyone wishing to understand the personality, character and motivations of the man who rules France, Franois Hollande. But it is no ordinary story Valrie Trierweiler tells. She cannot easily be dismissed as a woman scorned. Yes, she hurts. That much is clear. But in fifteen years of publishing, I have never come across such an honest account of a relationship which was so key to a politician coming to power and then seemingly not having a clue what to do with power once he had achieved it. It is a story of passion and rejection, of power-plays and grandstanding. When I first read it, I read it in one sitting. I found the story and emotion compelling and that is why I wanted to bring it to English-language readers.

This is the first book I have published which doesnt contain any chapters. The original French volume had no chapters, so I felt it should be the same en Anglais. When Valrie explained to me why she had written it in this way, I understood. It is her story and she felt that it should be one continuous text with no artificial interruption. Who am I to disagree?

I want to thank Valrie for having had the courage to put pen to paper when many advised her to remain silent, for her fortitude in the face of onslaughts from a vicious French media, and, above all, for being herself. When I travelled to Paris to meet her, a few weeks before this book was published, I didnt know what to expect. Would the woman whose words I had read bear any relation to the woman I was about to meet? We met over what turned out to be the best meal I have ever eaten, at a restaurant called Itinraires in the Latin Quarter, not far from Notre Dame. Despite my lack of French and her lack of English, I hope she realised that Biteback and I are her perfect publishing partners in the UK. Im very grateful to her for entrusting us with the publication of Thank You for This Moment.

I would also like to thank Clmence Sebag for her excellent work in translating the book having been given a very challenging timetable. She has done an excellent job, and has captured Valries voice in such a brilliant way.

Finally, let me pay tribute to a lady called Anna Jarota. She is Valries literary agent and brought her book to Biteback. Lets just say she has restored my faith in literary agents and has been an absolute pleasure to deal with. I look forward to a continuing working relationship.

Now, over to Valrie

Iain Dale
London, November 2014