An emotionally engrossing novel that exposes the ways losses sustained by two French women, born generations apart, come to define their lives.
An unlikely friendship
is forged between two women, born generations, apart in Forgotten
on Sunday, a profound, emotionally complex novel written by Valérie
Perrin and translated from the French by Hildegard Serle.
For years, 21-year-old
Justine Neige has lived in Milly, a small French village, while happily working
as a nursing assistant at the Hydrangeas, the local retirement home. There,
Justine is most intrigued by Hélène, an enigmatic, 96-year-old nicknamed “The Beach
Lady.” Drawn to Hélène and her stories, Justine willingly collects and record
her remembrances in a notebook at the behest of Hélène’s grandson. In doing so,
Justine uncovers details of Hélène’s long, fascinating life that include
romantic passions; a bistro job where she catered to the poet Baudelaire; and
the harrowing atrocities of World War II. These incredibly moving stories of
love, loss, and forgiveness awaken Justine’s desires: “I feel nostalgic,
nostalgic for what I’ve not yet lived.” These feelings deepen when anonymous,
mysterious phone calls are made from the Hydrangeas that falsely notify
relatives that their loved ones have died. The contacts have either forgotten
or refused to keep in touch with the geriatrics; the calls finally force folks
to visit. As a police investigation ensues, Justine probes the history of
her own family—and questions are suddenly raised regarding the long-ago, tragic
car, accident that claimed her parents’ lives.
Perrin (Freshwater
for Flowers) skillfully juggles the storylines of Justine and Hélène,
heightening the drama of each with unexpected revelations. Delicate plot points--infused
with elements of historical fiction juxtaposed against contemporary themes--will
keep readers, charmed and deeply engrossed.
Forgotten
on a Sunday by Valérie Perrin (translated from the French by Hildegarde Serle)
Europa
Editions, $28, hardcover, 304 p., 9798889660187
Publishing Date: June 4, 2024
To order this book on INDIEBOUND/Bookshop.Org, link HERE
NOTE:
This review is a reprint and is being posted with the permission of Shelf Awareness. To
read this review as originally published on Shelf Awareness (June
14, 2024), link HERE
To read a longer form of this review as published on Shelf Awareness for the Book Trade (April 4, 2024), link HERE