I picked up this old novel expecting a dusty historical piece, but it grabbed me in the first chapter. Pierre La Mazière writes about a time just before everything changed with World War I, and you can feel that quiet tension on every page.

The Story

In the village of Saint-Savin, old Monsieur Valois runs a respected vineyard. His daughter, Clémence, moved to Paris years ago after a family fight. One day, a woman arrives at his door. She calls herself Mireille, says she is Clémence, and has come home. She knows details only a daughter would know. The sickly Monsieur Valois welcomes her with open arms, and the village embraces her. When the real Clémence finally hears the news and rushes back, she finds her place in the family and the community already filled. The battle isn't with guns, but with words, memories, and the heart of an old man.

Why You Should Read It

This book is so much more than its plot. La Mazière builds a whole world in this village. You get the gossip at the bakery, the politics of the harvest, and the weight of tradition. The characters feel real. I found myself frustrated with the villagers for being so easily fooled, but also understood their desire for a happy story. The real Clémence is a fantastic, prickly character—she's not perfectly likable, which makes her struggle to prove she's herself all the more powerful.

Final Verdict

Perfect for readers who love character-driven stories and a slow-burn psychological puzzle over fast-paced action. If you enjoy novels about small-town life, family secrets, and questions of truth and belonging, you'll fall into this world. It's a forgotten gem that feels surprisingly modern in its central question: In the end, who gets to tell your story?