Marguerite

A Novel

De: Marina Kemp

Narrado por: Susan Duerden

In this haunting novel, a young nurse forms an unlikely connection with the elderly man she cares for, and finds herself confronting the guilt she carries from her past

Marguerite Demers is 25 when she leaves Paris for the sleepy southern village of Saint Sulpice to take up a job as a live-in nurse. Her charge is Jerome Lanvier - once one of the most powerful men in the village, now dying alone in his large and secluded house surrounded by rambling neglected gardens. Manipulative and tyrannical, Jerome has scared away all of his previous caretakers.

It's not long before the villagers have formed opinions of Marguerite. Brigitte Brochon, pillar of the community and local busybody, finds her arrogant and mysterious and is desperate to find a reason to have her fired. Glamorous outsider Suki Lacourse sees Marguerite as an ally in a sea of small-minded provincialism. Local farmer Henri Brochon, husband of Brigitte, feels sorry for her and wants to protect her from the villagers' intrusive gossip and speculation (but Henri has a secret of his own that would scandalize his neighbors, if only they knew). The sudden arrival of Jerome's three sons will upend the rhythm of their days, changing their lives forever.

Set among the lush fields and olive groves of southern France, and written in clear prose of luminous beauty, Marguerite is an unforgettable novel that traces the ways in which guilt can be transformed, and how people can unexpectedly find a sense of redemption.

©2020 Marina Kemp (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"[A] stellar debut. Precise, distinctive prose...and well-drawn characters make this satisfying tale all the more memorable. Expect Kemp to make a big splash." (Publishers Weekly, starred)

“Kemp writes with a careful restraint that makes the emotional explosions all the more powerful when they come.” (Kirkus, starred)

"Moody, suspenseful, and altogether absorbing." (Booklist)

A Hidden Gem

This is one of my favorite discoveries for 2024 (even though it was published a few years ago). Written beautifully, this story pulled me right in. The characters were interesting and multi-faceted. Additionally, the well-paced story developed in an unexpected way. I'm really surprised that no one else has read and reviewed this book. There isn't a lot of action or excitement, it's a story of love, trauma, connections, and loss. I hope that Audible offers Ms. Kemp's new release, as well. She's a very talented author!