Sophie Buchaillard is a freelance writer, poet and essayist, and the author of two novels: Assimilation, which explores the impact of family secrets and what it means to belong, through three generations of women; and This is Not Who We Are, the story of two-teenage pen-friends during the 1994 genocide in Rwanda. Sophie has been shortlisted for the Bridport Poetry Prize and the Wales Book of the Year. Her debut poetry pamphlet is due in October 2025. She is currently working on her third novel.
One family's story set against the backdrop of some of the biggest political and humanitarian events of the century.
A tale of unravelling family secrets, belonging, betrayal and inherited trauma, Assimilation will transport readers in time and place through one family’s history and struggle.
Charlotte, young and fiercely independent, desperately needs to escape the confines of her mother, Marianne’s expectations and a dreadful trauma. She leaves France and arrives in Wales, hoping to find peace and somewhere to rebuild her life.
Marianne, a mother with a colourful past, keeping a terrible secret, tries her best to conform to French middle class expectations.
In this stunning new novel, Buchaillard takes us on an adventure pursuing spies, drug dealers and even a talking bear.
Assimilation / Honno
Reviews
Assimilation is a perceptive and compelling novel that invites the reader to seek out new ways of negotiating the labyrinth of personal and cultural identity. Sophie Buchaillard weaves her tale with skill and acumen, offering rare insights into migration, foreignness, family, and much else besides.
Richard Gwyn, The Colour of a Dog Running Away
The propulsive writing style is a joy to read in this easy-to-devour yet nourishing novel with its spartan yet incisive language and thoroughly engrossing multi-layered storylines of family, memory, and immigration—highly recommended!
O. Uyanik, Amazon
This is Not Who We Are / Seren Books
Shortlisted for the Wales Book of the Year 2023
In 1994 a young Rwandan woman and her brothers are caught up in the violent chaos that follows the assassination of the President. Meanwhile, in the present day, Iris – a journalist with a young family – searches obsessively for traces of Victoria, the pen-friend who disappeared during the Rwandan genocide thirty years before. As their lives interweave, both women have ghosts and secrets to confront, and must decide how to take responsibility for the past.
This is Not Who We Are blends elements of fiction and autobiography to explore vastly different perspectives on the tragedy of Rwanda and the experience of migration. The book is deeply compassionate and clear-sighted, and asks uncomfortable questions about European culpability for the violence while never losing sight of the human complexities of its characters.
Reviews
“There is no doubt that This is Not Who We Are will resonate with anyone who is interested in exploring topics such as identity, otherness, and the power of language, as well as those simply seeking a poignant and thought-provoking novel.”
Aline Moura, The Cardiff Review
Workshops
Whether you are new to writing or on your way to the next novel, memoir or poetry pamphlet, I offer creative writing workshops to suit you. If you cannot find what you are after, do get in touch. I also offer one-to-one support.
Writing services
Sophie offers a ranges of services for both writers and publishers/editors. Services include:
Services for writers
Mentoring
Editing
Writer support (Access to Work)
Services for publishers
Editing
Translation
Book reviews
Talks, Panels and Interviews
