The young Ramuntcho lives with his mother in the Basque country, near the Spanish border. His time is dedicated, like many of his comrades, with little land and smuggling Pelotepartien. And he is in love with the beautiful and pious Gracieuse who returns his love, while her devout mother also feels the young mountaineers as not good enough. The plans of the mother despite the two young people decide to get married and move to Ramuntchos uncle to America, but only after Ramuntcho had served his three-year military service. Three years go by very quickly, but on his return to the Basque finds nothing so ago, as it was before. His mother on the brink of death, and his mistress in a monastery. He sets out to bring her back, not knowing how they will decide ... This novel by Pierre Loti is the second, which I read and slowly started growing really close to my heart. The somehow sad love stories in conjunction with the really exceptionally beautiful, detailed descriptions of nature created an atmosphere which the reader does not know to escape. In this novel, it is the Basque country with its nature, its customs and practices at the end of the 19th century, which draws one into its spell and although the novel was published in 1896, it can be but reasonably light read, if you have the necessary knowledge of French , In this edition also find a detailed curriculum vitae Lotis, and additional information about the novel and word explanations, especially when it comes to terms and Basque customs. Who likes to read novels in French and a bit romantic soul should be quiet even embark on this adventure, and perhaps also for himself discovering Pierre Loti.
