In 1890 in Provence, on a plateau near the Mont Ventoux, lives a family of growers specialized in the cultivation of almond trees. Anna, their daughter, in love with Martin, son of a wealthy confectioner Apt, believes she will marry him. But at the last moment, he abandons her to marry Mathilde, the fiancee of his brother, died after a riding accident. Later, she meets Armand, nougat pastry maker. She marries him and feels happy in her womanhood. But the First World War and the death of Matilda comes to upset the deal. Anna Martin addresses a letter in which he confesses to have always loved and have to reveal a secret ... A moving earth and well-crafted novel, illustrating trades and not necessarily well known techniques such as the exploitation of almond, nougat manufacturing technique or candied fruit and cultivation of lavender. A family saga spanning three generations and more than half a century. If the two families are not too disturbed by the war of 14 (men and parties all back safely, only George will return legged), the 40 will have much more dramatic consequences. Well written, this book is touching and moving even if only by the evocation of the life of ordinary people at once so close and so far away from us. Françoise Bourdon knew well dosed her recipe: a little family, a little sentimental, a little old techniques, thwarted love affairs and an end in dramatic crescendo. A very successful together and finally nice for fans of the genre.
