ajcousins's review
5.0
This is a short novel by the French author who wrote The Horseman on the Roof. I gave it four stars at first, and then upgraded to five when I opened it at random towards the end and reread a dozen pages. Giono is a terrific writer, Hemingway-like in his simplicity, and this book is wonderful. The tone, and the main character, change completely during the course of the novel from dark and almost menacing to bursting with life and quiet joy. The story of a remote village that comes near to dying out and madness, this is a great book. Highly recommended.
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