In this light, only at this point of the day, the silver of the olive leaves was a dark grey – just as only in the searing heat of summer could they appear quite white
Marguerite has come to Saint-Sulpice to nurse Jérôme who is slowly dying in the once-grand house where his sons were brought up. She’s met by the unwelcoming Brigitte, appointed to oversee arrangements at Rossignol. Plain and uneducated, Brigitte is married to handsome, quietly cultured Henri, an odd match made very young. Together they share the running of the Henri’s beloved family farm but little else. Marguerite becomes accustomed to the irascible Jérôme, free with his insults and parsimonious with his praise. She’s lonely but unresponsive to the overtures made by Suki, the Iranian woman who has failed to overcome the villagers’ suspicions despite living in Saint-Sulpice for nearly two decades. When Jérôme’s three sons visit for the first time in years, Marguerite finds herself drawn into their evenings spent joshing and competing but it’s Henri, once his sons’ friend, who Jérôme respects. As the summer wears on, Jérôme softens towards Marguerite but it becomes clear that both she and Henri have secrets whose disclosure may ruin their lives.
But they had been like two children, she thought, like children in Neverland, in some ridiculous made-up world. She of all people knew that world didn’t exist; she’d known it all along
Kemp’s novel switches perspectives between Marguerite and Henri, sketching in their pasts as it slowly builds towards the revelations I’ve avoided making in that synopsis. It’s a story that unfolds luxuriously, full of gorgeous descriptions of the French summer, then brings its readers up short with shocks here and there. Kemp depicts a village riven with gossip, beset with suspicion and prejudice, where difference is viewed sideways rather than embraced. Equally, Jérôme’s thoroughly Parisian sons are characterised as either pleased with themselves or dissolute. Against this backdrop, Kemp explores hidden hurt and the damage it does through both Marguerite and Henri. I liked, rather than loved, this absorbing novel which took me on a welcome visit to France although Saint-Sulpice is a place I think I’d rather pass through than linger for long.
If you want to know which of the five shortlisted titles the shadow judges plumped for, all will be revealed tomorrow but you’ll have to wait another week to hear the judges’ verdict.
4th Estate: London 9780008326463 422 pages Hardback
I would still ‘like’ to read this novel, even if I’m unlikely to ‘love’ it. Do you think the judges were unconsciously picking up on its title – with Nightingale hospitals? 😀
Ha! Now, that hadn’t occurred to me. I read this one straight after Exciting Times with which I was very taken so that may have coloured my opinion. It’s definitely worth a read and you’ll get to enjoy a French summer, too.
It sounds like she captures place very well Susan. It will be interesting to see what wins.
That was the most striking aspect of the novel for me, Cathy. It will – I’ve a feeling in might be one of the poetry collections.
I was reminded of a Tessa Hadley novel when I read this, and of course she is one of the judges this year, so I’m not sure if this might be a point in favour. Also, Sebastian Faulks, another of the judges, has set some of his novels in France, so maybe that influenced the shortlist selection?
That’s an interesting insight! I’ve enjoyed Tessa Hadley’s work and can see why she might be drawn to this. Fell out of love with Sebastain Faulks writing some time ago, sadly.
This sound like a novel with a particularly strong sense of place. How interesting to be reading these young writers who have already come to this kind of notice.
Yes, you’re right about that sense of place, Ali. I do like this prize and the way it spreads across genres.
Isn’t it a nice feeling when you were already planning on a certain read and then, suddenly, you have a reason to move that book to the top of the stack? When one’s TBR is so unwieldly, it’s a bonus to have another way to force some progress isn’t it. On the surface, this sounds a little like Fitzgerald’s Bookshop (come from away, difficulty belonging/connecting) but it seems to go in quite another direction.
It is, indeed. There is some of that but that feeling extends to Henri born into a community in which he feels out of place.
If it leaves me feeling like I’ve actually been there, then I’ll try it. 🙂
It was a welcome trip to the French countryside for me!
Nightingale sounds like quite an interesting and atmospheric read (I tend to be drawn to “hidden secrets” novels). If the TBR pile wasn’t actually a mountain, I’d probably chuck this on board but only after I’ve finished Exciting Times, a copy of which I’ve had for several months now and which remains unread!
You’re right about Nightingale being an atmospheric read, although my favourite of the two was Exciting Times. I’m a sucker for a snarky narrative voice!