Gwendoline Delacroix finds herself fleeing Paris in a desperate attempt to escape the memories that haunt her in her French countryside chateau. Following the aftermath of WWII, she had become a widower and desperately missing her husband, Jean. Although her loyal and quirky staff do their best to keep her afloat, Gwendoline eventually takes charge and in a quick turn of events, finds herself at the Hotel de la Belle Paix - the hotel run by her brother and sister-in-law in the Latin Quarter in Paris.
Over the summer, Gwendoline finds work at an animal sanctuary run by an eccentric aristocrat. With new friends, an elderly cat, and a glass of wine in hand, Gwendoline proves to herself and everyone else that there is life after lost love.
Entertaining? Of course! Joyful? Undoubtedly. Champagne? Bien sur! In Paris, nothing is predictable, and everything is extraordinary.
6 reviews
Gwendoline Delacroix sat at the window of the seaside chateau, observing the rise and fall of the coastline. It was almost summer and the buds were just beginning to blossom on the few plants dotting the craggy coastline below her window.
When did it all go so wrong? Gwendoline wondered. Here she was, surrounded by priceless ornate furniture in a magnificent chateau with staff—real staff—to help her. It was a far cry from her humble beginnings. And after all, it had been four years since the war ended. Now, although the war was over, Gwendoline continued to live in the home that she had shared, quite happily in fact, with her husband, Jean Delacroix. He had purchased the property back when they were just newlyweds. Back then, life had been rosy and hopeful. Jean had been planning on taking over his father’s property business. Gwendoline was going to raise their family. They both had wanted a lot of children and envisioned a large, happy family together.
“Priceless,” is what the Realtor and Jean had called the property back when he signed all of the purchasing contracts. The price of my happiness, Gwendoline now found herself thinking bitterly. The stone chateau that once served as a happy home was now a constant reminder of her loneliness. Her remaining family members had initially urged her to sell it.
“Go!” they had insisted after his death. “Find a smaller home. One you can manage on your own. You will be better off.”
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Italian
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Already translated.
Translated by Emiliano Fenzi
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Portuguese
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Translation in progress.
Translated by Pedro Arcela
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Spanish
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Already translated.
Translated by Carlos Malasquez
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Author review: Great job! Thank you. |
