roman a clef

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The story quoted a few skeptics—among them the writer Harry Monaghan, who’d written a well-received roman à clef five years prior, and who had a regular column in the Post.

From Slate • May 27, 2023

Her third book, “American Wife,” was a darkly shaded roman à clef about a woman very much like First Lady Laura Bush.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2023

Anderson has written, publishing four novels, including "Star," a roman à clef, and three autobiographies — a much larger backlist than the average model/actor.

From Salon • Feb. 5, 2023

She had previously written “A Booklover’s Guide to New York,” and a roman à clef published in France called “Une Famille.”

From New York Times • Oct. 7, 2021

The great charm of Pompey the Little to contemporaries was, of course, the fact that it was supposed to be a roman à clef.

From Gossip in a Library by Gosse, Edmund