In the early 1960s a new 'Star' appeared on the pop music scene and burned brightly in the firmament. This was the enchantingly beautiful, French singer-songwriter ('chanteuse'), Francoise Madeleine Hardy. Today, thanks to the wonders of modern technology, Francoise can be resurrected, at any moment of her singing career, simply with a flick of a switch on the television's remote control. And there she is, the epitome of French elegance and style! With Francoise, unlike with many of the popular musicians of the time, there was no blaring music or wild gesticulations. She had no need of devices such as these. Her songs are captivating in their own right, particularly those which tell of love, loneliness, and loss. In fact, she has been described as 'the patron saint of the dispossessed and heartbroken'. By why this focus on personal sadness? Could it be that this French icon, beloved by millions throughout the world and who apparently had the world at her feet, was permanently troubled? And if there was something troubling Francoise, could it be love, or to be more precise, unrequited love?

Table of Contents:
Introduction 1 Francoise Hardy (born 17 January 1944) 2 Francoise and Her Family 3 Francoise: Feelings of Shame and Inferiority 4 John Bowlby: Child Care and the Growth of Love 5 1966: A Youthful and Seemingly Happy Francoise 6 Music Beckons! 7 The Road to Success! 8 1960: Romance with Jean-Marie Perier and Further Success 9 About Jacques Dutronc 10 1966: Francoise Hardy and Jacques Dutronc 11 Further Success 12 Literature: Some Favourite Authors 13 A Young, Joyful, and Vivacious Francoise 14 1971: An Interview with Jacques Dutronc 15 Getting to Know Jacques Better: Peter McEnery 16 September 1967: Francoise and Jacques - A Serious Relationship Commences 17 Francoise and Jacques: Meltdown! 18 A New Arrival: Thomas Dutronc, 16 June 1973 19 Meanwhile, Life Goes On 20 The Wedding: 30 March 1981 21 With Her Music, Triumph! 22 With Jacques, Disaster! Spiritualism: Health Problems Loom 23 What Francoise Longed For and what was On Offer 24 Francoise and Jacques: An Avoidant Relationship 25 'Commitment Avoidancy' and its Origins 26 What If? 27 Francoise's Incredible Perseverance! 28 How Easy it is to Fall in Love with the Wrong Person! 29 Jacques Expresses Remorse 30 Francoise's Coping Mechanisms: How She Made Sense of the Long Separations that were Imposed Upon Her 31 Francoise Loses Patience: Letting go of the Dream and Summoning the Strength to Walk Away 32 Francoise Reveals Herself through her Own Lyrics 33 Living Alone: Solitude 34 A 'Thank You' to Jacques! 35 Some Help and Guidance for the Avoider 36 Some of Francoise's Other Admirers 37 The Camera Never Lies! 38 Sylvie Duval 39 The Significance of Eye Contact 40 'Falling for Francoise' 41 Illness 42 Faith; Mortality; The Afterlife Epilogue