25 pages 50 minutes read

Oscar and the Lady in Pink

Fiction | Novel | Adult | Published in 2002

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Summary and Study Guide

Overview

Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt’s Oscar and the Lady in Pink was published in 2002 as part of Schmitt’s larger Cycle of the Invisible series. Each story in the series stands alone and deals with questions of spirituality from different faith and thought traditions. Oscar and the Lady in Pink explores questions of Christian faith as they relate to death.

Originally written in French, Oscar and the Lady in Pink has been translated in numerous languages and adapted for theater and movie production. This summary is based on the English translation by Adriana Hunter published by Atlantic Books (2002).

Plot Summary

The story is told from the perspective of 10-year-old Oscar through his letters to God. Oscar is dying of cancer and lives at the hospital. His recent bone marrow transplant—his last hope at beating the cancer and extending his life—has proven unsuccessful, leaving Oscar’s parents and doctors hopeless and distant as they avoid the subject of his imminent death. The only person willing to listen to Oscar’s questions about death is Granny Rose, an elderly volunteer at the hospital.

Oscar is given 12 days to live, and Granny Rose encourages him to write to God with his questions.

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