A young girl navigates the intense social hierarchies and emotional turbulence of a French boarding school. Olivia, the protagonist, arrives at the school with a sense of isolation and curiosity, seeking connection within the rigid structure of the institution. She finds herself drawn to the charismatic headmistress, Mademoiselle Julie, whose influence creates a complex dynamic of admiration and rivalry among the students. The narrative, presented as a memoir-style account, explores the boundaries of authority and the vulnerability of adolescence within a secluded environment.

Readers and critics frequently highlight the subtle, understated prose that defines this short novel. Discussion often centers on the ambiguous nature of the relationships depicted and the author's ability to capture the intensity of adolescent obsession. Many observers note the effectiveness of the boarding school setting in amplifying the emotional stakes of the protagonist's experiences. The work is often studied for its pioneering exploration of same-sex attraction and the complexities of female identity in early twentieth-century literature.