Li's initial inspiration for the novel was the discovery of a review of several books about French prodigies, published in the mid-20th century.

[5] Li conducted historical research about France after World War II, the period during which portions of the novel takes place.

[4] However, Li chose not to center the novel on the facts and information she discovered, as she did not feel the narrator, Agnes, needed to provide the readers overt verisimilitude.

[7][8][9] Writing for The Atlantic, Sarah Chihaya referred to comparisons between the novel and the series by Ferrante as "too-easy" and "only helpful in orienting the reader toward the themes of desire and self-determination shared by the works.

[8] Megan O'Grady wrote in a review for The New York Times that the comparisons were valid at the outset of the book, but as the novel evolved and the setting changed it instead reminded her of writing by Swiss author Fleur Jaeggy and Scottish writer Muriel Spark.