Fresh Water For Flowers by Valerie Perrin

Last month I was in Darien, Connecticut eating at an Italian restaurant, in the middle of a summer rainstorm. My sister-in-law's friend Kristine leaned across the table to talk to me. We both have voices that few can hear, and the rain made it even more difficult. But on this night, I heard Kristine clearly say: I have a book for you to read: "Fresh Water for Flowers." I was excited by the recommendation but even more thrilled because I had not heard of the book before. This novel centers around Violette Toussaint, the caretaker at the local cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne. Her co-workers include gravediggers, gardeners and a priest. They engage in lively conversation, around coffee, and sometimes with liquor they receive as thank you gifts from funeral goers. One day Violette gets a surprise visit from a man named Julien, who has special instructions to place his mother's ashes on top of the grave of a complete stranger. Violette and Julien then bond together to unravel the mysterious love story of Julien's mother. The story broadens to include a secret from Violette’s past, that she has been desperate to keep hidden from the world and her heart. A number #1 best seller in France, the novel has been translated for us by Hildegarde Serle. Violette's charm, quirkiness and heavy heart filled with grief, make for a delightful read for a rainy day, or any day at all. To buy this book on Amazon click here.