Literature in France seems to be undergoing a crisis now, and nothing comes immediately to mind.
Simone de BeauvoirThe misfortune is that although everyone must come to [death], each experiences the adventure in solitude. We never left Maman during those last days... and yet we were profoundly separated from her.
Simone de BeauvoirAll the opportunities you let slip by! The idea, the inspiration just doesnยดt come fast enough. Instead of being open, youยดre closed up tight. Thatยดs the worst sin of all - the sin of omission.
Simone de BeauvoirThe renewed use of lobotomy today is particularly applicable to women: Because they do routine things, it is possible to take away their spirit of revolt, of debate, of criticism, and still leave them perfectly capable of making stews or washing dishes. It's terrible, this tendency to consider women something dangerous to society.
Simone de Beauvoir