Fresh Water for Flowers
OVER 1 MILLION COPIES SOLD
Valérie Perrin author Hildegarde Serle translator
Format:Paperback
Publisher:Europa Editions (UK) Ltd
Published:10th Jun '21
Should be back in stock very soon
A touching story unfolds in Fresh Water for Flowers, where Violette navigates life's complexities amidst love, loss, and unexpected friendships in a cemetery setting.
In Fresh Water for Flowers, we meet Violette Toussaint, the caretaker of a quaint cemetery in Bourgogne. Her life is steeped in the everyday rhythms of the cemetery, where she interacts with a colorful cast of characters, including gravediggers, groundskeepers, and a priest. Each day brings a mix of humor and poignant moments, as Violette listens to the stories and secrets shared by the visitors who come to pay their respects. This unique environment serves as a backdrop for her journey of self-discovery and healing.
The tranquility of Violette's routine is upended when police chief Julien Seul arrives, seeking a place to scatter his mother’s ashes on a stranger's grave. This encounter unearths buried emotions and painful memories, revealing Julien's own family secrets. As Violette and Julien navigate their intertwined pasts, the story delves into themes of loss, love, and the quest for closure. Violette's determination to uncover the truth about her daughter's tragic fate adds a layer of depth to her character, showcasing her resilience and hope.
Fresh Water for Flowers is a beautifully crafted tale that celebrates the extraordinary within the mundane. With its rich narrative and evocative prose, the book invites readers to explore the delicate balance between sorrow and joy, ultimately affirming the power of connection and the beauty of life, even in the face of loss.
“A beautiful, intensely atmospheric bittersweet dream of a book.” * Matt Haig *
"Beautifully written and compelling to read.” * TLS (Book of the Year) *
“Valerie Perrin’s delightful Fresh Water for Flowers is a funny and moving story of one woman’s belief that everything will turn out right.” * Stylist *
"The story fluctuates between extremes with stylish elegance. It is melancholic and yet ebullient...What may on the surface of it appear gloomy and morose, in Perrin's hands is an appealing indulgence in nature, food and drink, and, above all, friendships." * The Guardian *
“A tender and poignant exploration of love, loss, and redemption.” * Publishers Weekly *
“A triumphant celebration of life and love.” * ForeWord Reviews *
“Breathtaking.” * Unidivers *
“A bad, bad, bad case of love at first read. This is a splendid, moving book.” * C'est au programma *
“An insightful novel, a book whose droll and endearing characters will bring you from tears to laughter.” -- Michel Bussi
“The balance between laughter and tears is spot on.” * Lire *
“Thundering applause. And, believe us, the word ‘thunder’ is not too strong.” * La Marseillese *
“A million seller in its native France, Perrin’s novel sees the world through the eyes of Violette, a cemetery caretaker, and the people who pass through her care, living and dead, with their stories and secrets.” * The New European *
“This book is exquisitely composed and utterly devastating in places, packed with meaningful meditations on life, death and love, and may leave you longing to adopt some of Violette’s considered routines – while also hoping to avoid the heartbreak which led her to this more thoughtful way of life... place this right at the top of your wishlist.” * Cambridge Edition Magazine *
“This is a novel set in a place of death, but Violette makes it a place of life, hope and memory.” * The Book Trail *
“Fresh Water For Flowers is a gentle meander through the loves, losses and rebirth of Violette Toussaint ... a very special gem of a book.” * Jeannious *
- Winner of Prix Maison de la Presse 2018 (France)
ISBN: 9781787703117
Dimensions: unknown
Weight: unknown
304 pages