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Description edit
In a silent valley stands an isolated stone farmhouse, the Mas Lunel. Its owner is Aramon Lunel, an alcoholic so haunted by his violent past that he's become incapable of all meaningful action, letting his hunting dogs starve and his land go to ruin. Meanwhile, his sister, Audrun, alone in her... read more
Ridiculously Simplified Synopsis edit
Characters/People edit
- Veronica: A plump woman who designs gardens.
- Anthony Verey: A smarmy, self-obsessed antique dealer who becomes obsessed with the need to find a new life away from his old one that is falling apart around him.
- Audrun: An unfortunate character, she suffers greatly at the hands of her family, in unthinkable ways, and plans a perfect revenge.
- Madame Besson: A snooty estate agent who acts as the facilitator between Anthony and Aramon.
- Bernadette: The mother of Aramon and Audrun Lunel, and a woman who was clearly loved by both. She was haunted by the silk worms that were kept in the attics of her house.
- Marianne Viala: The friend of Audrun and mother of Jeanne, the teacher, she judges Audrun somewhat unfairly for her actions, but is there for her nonetheless.
- Serge: The father of Aramon and Audrun.
- Jeanne Viala: The primary school teacher who forms a close bond with Melodie.
- Kitty: The lover and house-mate of Veronica, she has little talent in her chosen field of water colours.
- Raoul Molezon: The builder who works on the Mas Lunel.
- Mas Lunel: The family home of the Lunels.
- Lal: The cruel South-African mother of Anthony and Veronica Verey. She withholds affection, yet this is not how it is always portrayed.
- Aramon: The disgusting brother of Audrun, he is plagued by self-pity and loathing, but is eventually punished.
- Monsieur Lunel: Add a description of this character.
- Monsieur Verey
- Susan: The pony belonging to Veronica when she was a child, with whom she formed a very close bond.
- Mélodie: The young girl from Paris who is bullied by the other children. She becomes a character of great significance.
- Ruasse: The town around which La Callune, the Mas Lunel, and Les Glaniques are centred. Also the location for Madame Besson's estate agents.
- Mrs Brigstock: The cook who prepares the picnic for young Anthony Verey and his mother Lal in his tree-house.
- Marie-ange
- Lise
- Benita
- Fatima: The young woman Aramon loved.
- Enzo
- Travier
- Mademoiselle Viala
- Michou
- Caroline
- Magali: A young boy in Melodie's class.
- Les Glaniques: The home of Veronica Verey and Kitty Meadows, where Anthony stays on his visit to France.
- Lloyd
- Yusuf
- Monsieur Dalbert
- Nicolas: The young man about whom Anthony fantasises, returning some of his waning virility.
First Sentence edit
The child's name is Mélodie.
Series & Lists edit
This book is in Woman and Home's Top 30 Books of 2010. (authoritative list)
Authors & Contributors edit
- Rose Tremain (Author)
First Edition edit
Original Language: English
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: Add the page count.
Publisher: W. W. Norton
Country: United Kingdom
Publication Date: 2010
ISBN: Add the ISBN.
Page Count: Add the page count.
Awards edit
- Man Booker Prize (Finalist, 2010, Longlist)
Classification edit
- Library of Congress: Add the Library of Congress Classification.
- Dewey: 813
Subjects edit
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