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constantreader471's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
3.5 stars rounded down for a historical/literary fiction book that moves very slowly for the first half. There are 3 timelines; 1933-1950, 1996 and present day. The book opens with Justine as narrator. Justine is a nurse's aide at a retirement(nursing) home in a small town in France. Justine talks to the residents and listens to their stories. She becomes attached to Helene, who is 96 years old. Justine buys a blue notebook and begins to write down Helene's story.
Helene's story is both sad and happy and Justine's story is the same. Both plot lines are resolved. There are surprises at the end. This book was a bestseller in France. The translation was excellent.
Amazon Vine book.
Helene's story is both sad and happy and Justine's story is the same. Both plot lines are resolved. There are surprises at the end. This book was a bestseller in France. The translation was excellent.
Amazon Vine book.
dibookchronicles's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mtomchek's review against another edition
5.0
"We're all someone's Michelangelo; the trouble is, we have to meet them."
"I heard what one hears inside a seashell: what one wants to hear."
"I'd give my life to drown inside him."
"When an old person dies - a library burns to the ground."
"Why do things always happen when we no longer expect them to? Why does it all come down to a moment?"
A beautiful and remarkable love story. But so much more than just a love story. Exquisitely written by the wonderful Valérie Perrin, this French tale will enchant and leave you hungry for more.
We follow Justine, a young woman working at a retirement home, living with her grandparents and cousin, Jules. She is mesmerized with Hélène, an older woman telling her story at her beach, with her seagull. We then learn about each of their stories, so intricate and touching. I cried, I was touched, I felt the pulse of the seagull, I was in shock, cried again...a truly special novel. It felt like I was whisked away to France, living this story. Unexpectedly adored this French tale. Showed me what REAL and TRUE love is.
"I heard what one hears inside a seashell: what one wants to hear."
"I'd give my life to drown inside him."
"When an old person dies - a library burns to the ground."
"Why do things always happen when we no longer expect them to? Why does it all come down to a moment?"
A beautiful and remarkable love story. But so much more than just a love story. Exquisitely written by the wonderful Valérie Perrin, this French tale will enchant and leave you hungry for more.
We follow Justine, a young woman working at a retirement home, living with her grandparents and cousin, Jules. She is mesmerized with Hélène, an older woman telling her story at her beach, with her seagull. We then learn about each of their stories, so intricate and touching. I cried, I was touched, I felt the pulse of the seagull, I was in shock, cried again...a truly special novel. It felt like I was whisked away to France, living this story. Unexpectedly adored this French tale. Showed me what REAL and TRUE love is.
jmkummer's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
amavia91's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Valerie Perrin has been one of the best literary discoveries I have made through the Europa Editions imprint, and "Forgotten on Sunday" was one of my most anticipated reads of 2024. This is actually Perrin's debut novel and is vividly translated by Hildegarde Serle who also translated both "Fresh Water for Flowers" and "Three". This novel follows Justine, a 21 year old nursing assistant in a senior's care home who is caring for 100 year old Hélène. Justine begins writing the story of Hélène's incredible life and in doing so comes to many realizations about the nature of secrets, love and deep grief, and help to begin healing Justine's own family trauma. Ultimately, this was an incredible journey into the themes of self discovery, acceptance and human connection and compassion. Perrin has such a deft writing style and pace, where it seems like the words and events are flowing through the pages like a beautiful creek, but then there is such surprising depth and insight that emerges with every page turn. I'm honestly at a loss for words on how to describe the reading experience-- it just pulls you in, and then you emerge from reading it with a much different perspective. Valerie is an automatic purchase author for me and I highly recommend any of her novels to everyone.
askatknits's review against another edition
4.0
It took me a few "pages" to get into the rhythm of how Perrin is telling these two stories... back and forth between Justine and Hélène. At first the stories are years apart, but they begin to draw closer together on the timeline. The story telling is beautiful and the translation is perfection!
As I settled into the rhythm, I just let the story unfold. I felt no need to race through this book! The writing is so beautiful... and though the story is very compelling it felt better to let it come together slowly rather than race though. I loved how Perrin reveals what the title means (no spoilers, sorry) but it is so poignantly beautiful!
If you loved Fresh Water for Flowers, you will love Forgotten on Sunday! I highly recommend this book!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Europa Editions for this digital copy of Forgotten on Sunday. It will be published June 4, 2024.
As I settled into the rhythm, I just let the story unfold. I felt no need to race through this book! The writing is so beautiful... and though the story is very compelling it felt better to let it come together slowly rather than race though. I loved how Perrin reveals what the title means (no spoilers, sorry) but it is so poignantly beautiful!
If you loved Fresh Water for Flowers, you will love Forgotten on Sunday! I highly recommend this book!
I would like to thank Netgalley and Europa Editions for this digital copy of Forgotten on Sunday. It will be published June 4, 2024.
kari13's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25