Hier encore, c'était l'été ("Yesterday, it was still summer")
Just a book that looked cute and was on sale in the Kobo bookstore. It was a good time, since summer is here.
Summary
This is the story of a group of teenagers/adults who have known each other since they were little. They come from two different families who became friends because they were vacationing in the neighboring cottage. The original couple had several children, who in turn had several children, which makes a not so bad gang. The parents have always dreamed of seeing a couple among their offspring, but alas, there is no indication that this is about to happen.
From this group, we choose to follow Alexandre, who falls in love with Marie, who is a good friend of Sophie. He becomes quite crazy, which causes some discomfort because at the age of 16, Alexander dated Sophie briefly. But he reassures everyone that it's in the past, it was brief, and Sophie no longer has feelings for him. Which is true.
So he pursues Marie like a fool. Marie is independent, strong, determined, she puts all her energy into social causes, and does not let herself be caught easily, but after several months, she gives in to his advances. They will spend 5 years together, beautiful but tumultuous.
Then, misfortunes follow one after the other: break-ups, deaths, friendships that are lost sight of... How will these young people who are now nearly 30 years old and who see their youth slipping away?
Review
For a light summer read, it's perfect. Rarely do I read something so easily; I never had to reread a sentence, it flowed, and everything was crystal clear. Moreover, the story is not complicated: the characters live their lives, they experience the usual joys, sorrows and disappointments, we can all identify with them.
These young people experience breakups and deaths, which are told with just enough perspective to realize that these events simply end up being part of the big picture of life. Everybody have several loves, and they hurt until you find peace. Friends can be lost, but sometimes you just have to open up a little and everything comes back to normal. Loved ones grow old and die, but sometimes it shows us that the living have to get on with life.
At first glance, this novel has nothing exceptional, it is a slice of life like any other. But it's simple, unpretentious: that's what makes its charm. I read it in two days, I was touched, and I will keep a good memory of it.
Buy it. $3 is really cheap.
Hier encore, c'était l'été ("Yesterday, it was still summer")
Julie de l’Estrange
2.99 in digital format
Saltimbanques
