Was Brigitte Bardot just a ‘Sex kitten’?

BRIGITTE BARDOT &HER BOOKS

Brigitte Bardot proved her mettle in writing as well and her career gave rise to a fecund corpus of literature. She was the subject of philosopher Simone de Beauvoir's 1959 essay The Lolita Syndrome, which described her as a "locomotive of women's history" and built upon existentialist themes to declare her the most liberated woman of France.

With her peerless appeal, Brigitte was not reduced to a bimbette but turned out a prolific French author with her candid, albeit controversial as it is bound to be when critiquing society, autobiographical works detailing her glamorous film career, tumultuous life, and profound shift to animal rights activism, with key books like "Initiales B.B." (Memoirs) and "Tears of Battle" (Animal Rights Memoir) sharing intimate aspects of her celebrity and deep commitment to animal welfare through her foundation.

Key Themes in Her Writing:

Celebrity & Fame: She often reflects on the emptiness and unhappiness fame brought, contrasting it with her true self.

Animal Rights Advocacy: Her later works focus heavily on her lifelong passion for animals and her efforts with the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.

Personal Life: Her books delve into her relationships, including her marriages, and her early rebellious nature.

Notable Books:

Initiales B.B. (Memoirs): Her first major autobiography, offering insights into her rise as a sex symbol.

Tears of Battle: An Animal Rights Memoir (2018): An Animal Rights Memoir: Focuses on her transition to animal activism and the founding of her foundation.

Un cri dans le silence (A Cry in the Silence): (2003): Another memoir reflecting on her life and fame.

Le carre de Pluton (Pluto's Square)

Pourquoi? (Why?)

Répliques et piques & Moi je joue: More personal reflections, including witty "replies" and reflections on her acting.

Books like Le carre de Pluton and her public letters fiercely advocate for animal welfare but also express nationalist and anti-immigration views, resulting in legal issues in France.

Beyond Her Own Works:

While Bardot is an author herself, she is also the subject of numerous books and biographies that explore her iconic status, fashion influence, and activism, often featuring her insights and rare interviews.