Fresh Water for Flowers [B1199]

2021 PB. A #1 best-seller in France and in Italy, where it was dubbed Italy's favorite "lockdown novel," Fresh Water for Flowers is an intimately told story about a woman who defiantly believes in happiness, despite it all. Violette Toussaint is the caretaker at a cemetery in a small town in Bourgogne, France. Traversing the grounds by unicycle, tending to her many gardens-and being present for the intimate, often humorous confidences of visitors-Violette's life follows the predictable rhythms of mourning. But then Violette's routine is disrupted by the arrival of Julien Sole, the local police chief. Julien has come to scatter the ashes of his recently deceased mother on the gravesite of a complete stranger. It soon becomes clear that Julien's inexplicable gesture is intertwined with Violette's own complicated past. "Melancholic and yet ebullient . . . An appealing indulgence in nature, food and drink, and, above all, friendships." -The Guardian, UK.

From recent Amazon/GoodReads reviews: "Oh my goodness...an unforgettable and beautiful story . One I will be rereading again, just to savor the characters and the incredible way in which this was written."; "A wonderful read, surprisingly filled with pleasure on what sustains life in the wake of a child's death. To me it served as a meditation on what it means to love and live well, and what remains after."; "One of the most beautiful books I've ever read. Stunning perfection. I soaked up every word and didn't want it to ever end."; "This is definitely one of my favorites. It is so good, lyrical and a fantastic mystery as well. One of the best reads this year."