Today marks the release of Nicolas Mathieu's novel, Connemara. How exciting! I know I was thrilled to get my hands on a copy - I couldn't wait to read it! I loved the book's cover and the detached demeanor of the woman - makes me curious about her and her world. Plus, the summary of the book had me wanting to dive into the book ASAP - I love stories about second chances and everyday life.
So, what is Connemara about?
A breathtaking story of unfulfilled dreams, unexpected second chances, and love in a present-day France turning against itself, from the Goncourt Prize–winning author of And Their Children After Them.
Hélène is approaching 40. Born in a small town in the east of France, she worked hard to leave it behind and achieve a life worthy of the glossy magazines she pored over as a teen. But now that she seemingly has it all—a husband and two daughters, a successful career, and a custom-designed house near Nancy—she feels unfulfilled, as though the years have passed her by.
Christophe just turned 40 and has never left his little corner of France, where he grew up with Hélène. No longer as handsome as he used to be, he’s led an unassuming life, preferring to party with friends than to apply himself. These days, he’s selling dog food, dreaming of playing hockey again like he did when he was 16, and living with his father and son—a quiet, indecisive existence, which could be seen as failure. And yet he fully believes that anything is still possible.
Through the story of how their two disparate lives intersect once more, Connemara beautifully evokes the complex pain and joy of returning to your roots, and trying to make a relationship last in a rapidly changing, increasingly divided country.
Doesn't that sound soooo good? It sounds like a must-read to me. So, I read it as soon as I received my copy. And, lucky for me, Other Press sent me an early copy of the book - hurrah!
When I think of this story, the following words come to mind: beautiful, nostalgia, intimate, contemporary, age and humanness. I think of these two characters who grew up together and whose lives diverged and then merged again. They were each at a place in their life where they needed something, or someone to wake them up. Talk about a fascinating relationship.
Mathieu's writing is top notch - evokes all the feels, paints a vivid picture of everyday life, and showcases the beauty and the ugliness of growing up while middle-aged. I found myself easy immersed in the story and the character's lives, wanting to know more and less at the same time. Connemara was a definite treat to read. What a gem of a book!
I would happily recommend Connemara to anyone and everyone looking for their next great read - you are going to LOVE this book! In fact, any book you find on Other Press's catalog is a must-read - make sure to check them out!
Thank you to Other Press for providing me with a copy of this book!
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