The magical quality of the writing in this novel, evident on the first page, presages the vivid nature of the protagonist’s voice which is engaging, charming and warm. This is a refreshing and reassuring application of language, with an emphasis on the remarkably apt translation. Perrin is truly a master of the craft. If the reader has been languishing in mediocre or even “good” books and yearns for something transcendent, this is the one to read.
Incredibly complex and nuanced, the plot flies over decades and landscapes. To say this tale is character driven is a pale statement. The character of the protagonist is examined in minute detail but no less than those of the supporting players. Layer upon layer of relationships are revealed until it is clear that the lives of numerous people in this most satisfying book are inextricably linked. There seems to be a surprise around every corner.
Agnes Dugain is the daughter of world-famous musicians, a pianist father and a violinist mother. She is herself famous as a film director married to a heartthrob leading man but now, sadly, divorced. Her aunt Collette is a cobbler who repairs the shoes of the citizens of a small French city. Agnes is informed of her “Tata’s” demise, but she is shocked since it has been believed that she died some years before. Who died and when? Who is in the grave marked with Collette’s name? These and other mysteries drive Agnes to delve into her family’s past where she finds myriad tragic and puzzling facts. A complex web of relationships, betrayals, failures and triumphs a revealed bit by bit in a masterful way, maintaining the reader’s interest fully.
Lovers of mysteries will love this one, but it is so much more than a whodunit. It is an examination of human frailty, heroic loyalty, depravity and kindness. This reader can recommend without reservation this lovely, finely crafted novel.
