Forgotten on Sunday (Valerie Perrin)

#ForgottenonSunday #NetGalley

I very much enjoyed Valerie Perrin’s novel Fresh Water for Flowers. It was a complex, character driven story. I was therefore excited to learn that Ms. Perrin has a new book out in translation now.

This is the story of two women; one of them has much life ahead while the other is elderly. Each comes with history and even tragedy.

Justine helps to care for Helene who is a resident of the facility where she is employed. As they get to know one another, many confidences are shared. They also face some difficulties over the course of the novel. Someone is making crank calls to the home. Find out what they are saying and how this evolves.

Those looking for a lovely and compassionate read will want to spend time in these pages.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Europa for this title. All opinions are my own.

Pub date: 04 June 2024

Fresh Water for Flowers

My additional thoughts

Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.

Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.

The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.

This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.