Reviewers from the Washington Post highlight that the book is essentially about what money can and cannot buy, and how it drives human behavior and relationships.
The story centers on , a humble medieval history scholar struggling to support her two daughters after her unemployed husband runs off to Kenya with his mistress to start a crocodile farm. In contrast, her sister Iris is wealthy, beautiful, and lives a superficially perfect life in Paris but feels unfulfilled.
The book has sold over in France and been translated into 30 languages. It was also adapted into a major motion picture in 2014. Critics from sites like LitReactor praise Pancol's "sly Gallic humor" and ability to create multi-dimensional characters that resonate with modern life. Los ojos amarillos de los cocodrilos - Amazon.com
The stark contrast between the sisters—one who takes shortcuts (Iris) and one who does the hard work (Joséphine)—is a central point of exploration. Reader & Critical Reception