3 posts tagged “france”
Jean-Marque Montjean is a new qualified Doctor, working in Salies, France, in 1914, under the management of the bumptious Doctor Gros. Jean-Marque’s first patient of his own is the sardonic and mercurial Paul Treville. When Jean-Marque meets Paul’s sister Katya, the attraction is instant and undeniable. Montjean is enchanted by Katya’s enthusiasm for life, in contrast to her twin brother’s cynical outlook and disdain for others. Paul constantly warns Jean-Marque to stay away from Katya and it becomes clear that the Trevilles are hiding and running from a dark secret in their past. When Jean-Marque is informed that the Trevilles are planning to leave Salies, he insists on one last meeting with Katya, to see if he can persuade her to stay with him…
I enjoyed this book almost all of the way through. It was a very easy read, with an easy to follow storyline, and I found myself not wanting to put the book down. However, the ending was something of a let down, because it felt confusing and over-written. For the first time since starting the book, I found myself having to look back at parts I had read in order to make sure I understood what was happening.
Katya and Paul are both very well drawn characters, and Paul in particular was a character I enjoyed reading about, although he is not portrayed in a particularly sympathetic light. The minor character of Doctor Gros was also great fun. However, Jean-Marque himself is not so easy to care for one way or the other. Although he is the narrator of the story, I found that he was actually the least well rounded out of all of the ‘cast’. I suspect that had he been easier to empathise with, the ending would have been more exciting and enjoyable.
All in all though, this is a mostly enjoyable book, and perfect if you fancy a bit of mystery, but nothing too heavy.
One February day, Vianne Rocher finds herself with her 6 year old daughter Anouk, in Lansquenet, a small French village. Having lived in many places and never having settled, Vianne decides to stay. She opens a chocolaterie opposite the local Catholic Church, and in doing so, encounters the disapproval of the Priest, Reynaud.
Reynaud - a cold man, who suffers with his own guilt and anger - believes that the chocolate which Vianne sells is encouraging his 'flock' to indulge in excess and sin. He watches with dismay as the townspeople start to come to Vianne's shop, drawn in by her almost instinctive understanding of their lives and thoughts.
When a group of river gypsies, led by the enigmatic Roux come to Lansquenet, Reynaud is further distressed as Vianne's acceptance of them leads to the other people also accepting them. She helps people discover their inner strength - aiding a woman to escape her abusive woman and comforting a man who has to face the truth about his beloved pet's illness.
As Reynaud tries to think of a way to stop his flock abandoning him for the pleasures of Vianne's creations, events come to a climax at Easter time.
I really enjoyed this book. Quite apart from anything else, the descriptions of the chocolates are mouth watering, and made me hungry!
Vianne is an interesting character, and throughout the entire book, I cheered along with her small victories. Reynaud is deliberately without charisma or warmth. He is not a nice man, and neither is supposed to be. However, he is portrayed with just enough sympathy to make him a believable 'villain' of sorts.
There are several other characters, all of whom play their own part in the book...Armande Voizin, Vianne's friend; Josephine Muscat, an outcast in who Vianne sees something with even Josephine is not aware she possesses; and Roux, the tough but fair leader of the gypsies. Each and every character in the book is distinctive and realistic.
This is an ideal book to curl up with on a lazy afternoon (with a big mug of hot chocolate)! I will certainly be seeking out the sequel.
What a lovely book this is. The main character is Claude Reynaud, a French dressmaker and designer, who lives in Senlis, about 30 miles outside Paris. Claude is a man born years too late - he has not embraced modern design methods, or refuses to use computers or other modern conveniences in his work. However, his attention to detail and his ability to intuit exactly what will suit his clients means that he is incredibly sought after dressmakers.
Claude is not a passionate man - indeed his passion seems restricted purely to his work, and to his four adored nephews. However, he is unprepared for the day that his latest client, Valentine de Verlay arrives in his salon, for almost immediately, he knows that he will love this woman. There is only one problem - he has to design and make Valentine’s wedding dress.
Suddenly the serious and mild manner Claude finds his own life - and that of Valetine’s - unravelling at the seams….
The writing in this book is beautifully descriptive and luscious. Claude is a believable and sympathetic character, and while I found myself occasionally becoming angry with Valentine, I could really feel why Claude would love her.
I am a cynic when it comes to romantic books, and often deliberately avoid them. This book however, is unashamedly romantic, but it is seductive and immensely readable, although I would add that while not it would probably appeal more to a female audience. Claude may not be a typical hero type, but he is certainly a character who the reader can admire and root for.
Recommended!
(This is the 47th book I have read this year. I may have to set myself a 60 in 365 challenge for next year)!
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