Charles de Gaulle, French military officer/political leader/writer, once famously said, " The graveyards are full of indispensable men." Well, he never met my daughter, so I kindly beg to differ. And, I think Valérie Perrin writes a most moving tribute to graveyards, its residents, and those who care for it. I could never have imagined just how moved I'd become by a story set in a French cemetery. Turns out that me and Violette, the book's MC, are members of the same club: a club we were brutally initiated in to. It's not a club anyone wants to join. Take my word for it. Nevertheless, as dark as the story may seem (and it is), it still has the capability to wrap its arms around the reader and deliver an emotional, comforting hug. It took my breath away and forced me to face my own demons. I NEEDED to read this. Relating to Violette in many ways, I understood her motivation to disconnect.

I don't want to give away much. It's a profoundly sad story about a woman who's lost in life, already not having much to lose. She clings to what is hers, even if these things cause deep pain; at least they're hers. While tragic and heartbreaking, Perrin's words are filled with beauty and meaning. I can't begin to describe how much I loved every word written. Truly one of those books I didn't want to say goodbye to. Characters and settings that, after introduction, become memorable lifelong friends. 

If I could only read one book in 2020, I'd be content to end it with Fresh Water for Flowers. I couldn't have selected a better book. I will forever remember it. Adding to my "All-time Favorites" shelf. I can't give it a better compliment than that. 



*E-copy courtesy of NetGalley.

Fresh Water for Flowers by Valerie Perrin and translated by Hildegarde Serle is that rare book that, for me, touches almost every feeling I could hope for in a novel. To put it simply, I was captivated.

I think the description that is available is sufficient as far as telling you what the book is "about" as far as plot, so I am not even going to repeat or paraphrase a similar description. What is difficult to get across is how this book accomplishes that job. Certainly words like poetic, thoughtful, nuanced, and even humorous can all be used. It is beautifully written and translated.

Perhaps more important than the mechanics of how a book does what it does is how a book affects the reader. I found myself so deeply invested in the characters while also looking at my own world a little different. I looked and thought about more of the little things. I wondered what others might be thinking and, in the case of those from my past, what they might have thought. I rediscovered an aspect of my mental and emotional self that I had almost forgotten about. Namely, the part that can have a strong opinion about someone or something while still feeling some compassion and/or empathy.

While what I took away from the novel may very well be different from what you will, I do believe that the strength, well, one of many, of the novel is that it offers so many ways into the characters and, ultimately, into our own psyches. When we are caring for them we are also caring for ourselves and those around us. And I do think that this book will make most readers take stock of the world around them with experienced but fresh eyes.

I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys character driven novels, particularly one that manages to say so much in a manner that at first seems so matter-of-fact as to appear mundane, but isn't.

Reviewed from a copy made available by the publisher via NetGalley.

This novel just didn't hold my interest so I quit reading around page 100. I won't post a review to Goodreads as I didn't finish however I'm quite sure it will appeal to other readers. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to try the book.

Beautifully written. Poetically penned. Valerie Perrin is an author to keep on your radar. The interwoven characters  and their lives, are described elegantly. It’s a tragic yet hopeful epilogue. Finishing the book left me bereft.  “There’s something stronger than death, and that’s the presence of those absent in the memory of the living.”  A resounding theme throughout the novel. Thank you Netgalley and Europa Editions for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful ARC.

A gorgeously written and profound meditation on life and death, perfect for fans of Elena Ferrante and Europa Edition readers. A fair warning: it's a real tear-jerker! The story follows Violette as she narrates her life as a content cemetery caretaker and remembers her past (unhappy) marriage, motherhood, and other mundane but important events. Her story becomes intertwined with others at her cemetery, especially Julien Sole, a detective trying to solve his mother's peculiar last wish: to have her ashes be deposited on a grave of a complete stranger. Atmospheric, poetic, and remarkable.

This is shockingly more cheery then what I usually read. I mean it's not easy but it's beautiful and soulful. I though it was really worth reading. I can see why it's so loved.

What a magical book. Absolutely loved this and all the people in it. I started this and at first wasn't sure but knew it was more my mood do I put it aside and came to it. So glad I did as this is such a great rest! Magical.

Thanks to the publisher and net galley for an early release of this book.

This book is a classic! I haven’t read a book that I have been so captivated by in a long time. It is much more than a mystery, and a love story (several).  It is dark but always somehow with a ray of sunshine coming through. There are elements of magical realism as well. The author created characters so flawed yet multi-dimensional. Nothing is black and white in this book there is a fluidity that surprises and makes you question human nature. I loved it!