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.