Will Ink Suffice?

Will Ink Suffice is the story of a young, gifted university student in Paris during the early 1980s. The beginning of the novel follows Vivienne as she navigates her newfound independence after leaving home to pursue her studies. Vivienne's mother, Marion, owns a small bookstore in their hometown which plays an important role in Vivienne's perception of the world and her aspiration to publish her own novels. During her time at the university, Vivienne's professor (who has a central role later in the novel) takes an interest in her and encourages her to submit her writing. Meanwhile, Vivienne also faces challenges regarding her friendship with one of her classmates, Amelie, as well as trouble navigating her way through a passionate and dysfunctional relationship with love interest, Adrion. Vivienne's mother's cancer diagnosis and eventual death causes her to spiral and seek refuge in her writing and predisposed alcohol issue. This creates further turmoil in her relationships and causes her to become insensitive and reckless in all aspects of her life. This includes having a secret romance and emotional affair with her childhood friend Thomas. Vivienne shuns the world and uses her writing to give purpose to a life that she resents. Eventually, with the help of her Professor, Vivienne lands a deal with a well-known and exclusive publisher, Maison D'Escoffrey, who recognises her talent and decides to publish her novel. After losing everything, Vivienne's book, about the secrets of a maid in an affluent family, gains traction from the literary community and helps unburden her of the guilt that she feels from disregarding her relationships and missing her mother's death. her ambition leads her to attain success, however, at the cost of neglecting herself and her various relationships.