Title: Fresh Water for Flowers
Author: Valérie Perrin
Publisher: Europa Editions
Date of Publication: February 28, 2018
Format Read: Kindle (Libby)
Genre: Literary Fiction/Contemporary Fiction/Translated Fiction
Even in a cemetery, there’s room for sunlight—and for second chances.
Fresh Water for Flowers by Valérie Perrin is the story of Violette Toussaint’s three greatest loves. It’s a tale of great love and great loss. A novel that reminds the reader that life, love, and hope can all be found in the bleakest of places.
Perrin crafts complex characters, nuanced and full of both flaws and virtues. Even the minor figures feel fully realized. I immediately clicked with our main character and narrator for most of the book, Violette. Some of the others were harder to connect with at first, but later in the novel Perrin lets a few of them speak for themselves. Those shifting perspectives were a smart touch that humanized characters I’d initially written off.
The themes of love, life, loss, and hope are explored in distinct and tender ways, written with lyrical prose and a beautifully subtle touch. I highlighted countless lines for their beauty and quiet wisdom. Ordinary days and small events gradually shape Violette’s life, from first love to the deepest loss (I cried too), and they guide the reader gently along her journey.
All of the above is well done. However, it comes at the expense of a slow pace. Even though I was invested, and increasingly so, the story drags its heels at times, which soured what should have been a lovely experience. Perhaps this is a result of the book’s original French and the nuances of translation. It might also be a cultural difference. Either way, I have to admit that I struggled with the pacing.
The slow pacing is worth it to experience the events and lessons held within these pages. I recommend this to readers of literary fiction, especially those who enjoy translated works. Parts of this story land with real force, so go in with tissues and take the time to savor the gorgeous writing.
Nerd Rating: 🤓🤓🤓— A beautifully written meditation on love and loss that blooms slowly but memorably.
Let’s Discuss: What makes a book unforgettable for you: the characters, the writing, or the emotions it leaves behind?
Find out more about Fresh Water for Flowers at Europa Editions.