Lead Review (A Northern Light in Provence)
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Ilse Erlund is in her mid 30s. She lives in a dilapidated house on a cliff top in Greenland. It is damp and it is cold (as, indeed, is most of Greeland). She has family and friends, but no real romantic attachment (although there was a long term relationship in the past). By trade she is a translator of books. She was brought up trilingual (Greenlandic, Danish – though her father’s family, and English – through her mother’s family). She learnt French from an inspiring school teacher. Much of her work is translating French novels into English (though she has never been to France). Ilse believes (as indeed do I) that a translator is the co-creator with the author of a work in a language other than that of the author. She is not a human Google Translate.
She is approached by a Parisian publishing house (for whom she has previously done some well received work) to translate the folio of an aging Provençal poet / troubadour into English. Not a simple French to English translation, as the poet in question often writes in the Provençal dialect which she will have to learn. As a ‘reward’ for her past work and an incentive to perform well in this new task (and also because she asked) the publishing house arranges an expenses paid trip from Greenland to Provence for her to meet and work with the poet. When she arrives she is completely bowled over by Provence – the warmth, the light, the colours, the food are unlike anything she has ever experienced in Greenland. The poet is in his 70s (his wife long since deceased), and she gets on extremely well with him. Built around their mutual love of words, a close relationship develops. They talk about anything and everything.
When her work is done, and after several delays and postponements. Ilse returns to family and friends in Greenland. She is happy to be home but desperately misses the sounds, senses and people of Provence. She has a big decision to make. Should she stay in Greenland or should she return to France to make her way in a new world? Which will she choose? All is revealed!
A footnote: Elizabeth Birkelund is a former travel journalist. This comes through loud and clear in her descriptions of both Greenland and Provence. You feel you are there in both places
A Northern Light in Provence is definitely recommended.
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