And Paulette

When we met Ferdinand at the beginning of the book, grandfather a bit gruff, lonely forced sore grandchildren son, nothing suggests that the real revolution will operate in his daily life and that of his family. Because we understand very quickly that if he dedicated his life to his farm and his work, he has a less regret to have missed feelings.

Married to a woman who did not love him (and vice versa), father of two son with whom he never really communicated, he had finally found his "little Lulus" the joy of his old age. After their move in the city center, he found himself lonely and lives for the moments he spent with them.

That's not counting the surprises of life, those chances that lead us suddenly in an unknown direction and will make Ferdinand the founder of a strange colony!

Driven by circumstances (and a heart more and more), it will gradually settle with him all those who need it, the penniless neighbor whose roof collapsed in the nursing student almost to the street but ideal for providing care to older residents, through childhood friend in full mourning for his beloved wife. The community life is set up over the arrivals, often causing one another without pre-established program.

There has been some jubilant times when the leading trio Ferdinand-Marceline-Guy échaffaude plans to "convince" the new tenants or when Guy proposes to manage the use of time his famous "Organivioc '' Added to that the right words children, malicious Observers big bang, and the adventures of various animals of the community, Chamalo the kitten (you?) or smart ass Cornelius strong character.

Then of course there is the cliché in all those good feelings. Sometimes there are inconsistencies, things that seem too good to be true. One wonders how small provincial town is big enough to have its agricultural college and nursing school, while being small enough that everyone knows and finds himself on the same central place! Sometimes we say that human relationships are not so easy and that any "pin" too well, the rhythm unbridled chapters of just 5 or 6 pages.

But never mind!

Because if things were a little more like that in real life, the world would be better off 'Because you smiled at almost every page and that was moved at the same time. Because we're in a good mood as he closed the book, and because we want to meet these mamys-grandpas of a new kind, for whom roommate comes in retiree mode.

This is also the highlight of Barbara Constantine, which is unparalleled to make its strong and endearing characters. We love them despite their flaws, as we already loved the improbable transgenerational couple Tom, Tom small, very small man, Tom, his previous novel.

There is an air of Gavalda in these pages, and this story could also be called Ensemble c'est tout. Which prevents no address many social issues are much are topical, such as poor housing, the elderly dependency, grand-parenting, grief management, and even organic farming or denial of pregnancy!

The housemates will even create their website, [...] (usually searchable, they let you try). The revenge of a generation in a way, and ideas to dig in times of crisis'

SL