Oh La La!

• Book: The French Postmistress
• Location: The Pyrenees
• Author: Julia Stagg

Review Author: Anne Cater

The French Postmistress is the third of Julia Stagg’s novels set in a small commune called Fogas, situated in the French Pyrenees following on from L’Auberge (May 2011), and The Parisian’s Return (April 2012) – published by Hodder Books.

I haven’t read either of the first two stories, and on reflection, I think it’s probably best to read them before The French Postmistress. Although this novel stands alone very well, I did struggle at times during the first third of the book to tie up each of the characters – I guess that this wouldn’t have happened had I been more familiar with the setting and the characters. Nevertheless, I did enjoy this tale of rural France, the small town politics, the interwoven relationships and most of all, the beautifully described French countryside.

Julia Stagg writes with confidence, as she should and is entitled to, having spent many years herself in the very region that she writes about. There is a darkness that pervades her story of relationships and community, with sinister goings on that are preventing Veronique – the Postmistress in the title, of achieving her aim of rebuilding the post office.

Love and romance – politics – bears, and a bull! Written with flair and a touch of humour, this is a novel that will please fans of Joanne Harris, and everyone else who likes a bit of oh la la now and again!

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