Contemporary young Belgian writer Nothomb was the subject of a November 2001 conference in Edinburgh that drew scholars of French literature from across Europe and Canada and the US and Australia. The 17 essays explore such topics as her three autobiographical works, her anoretic beauties, a reading of her angels and monsters, the poetics of excess, and a translator's impression of her narrative voice in Stupeur et tremblements . Also included, on facing pages of French and English, is a January 2002 interview with her by Bainbrigge (French, U. of Edinburgh). There is no index. Annotation (c) Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)