Reviews

The First Garden by Anne Hébert

thebobsphere's review against another edition

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3.0

 Flora is an actress in France, however she gets called to play Winnie in Beckett’s Happy Days in Quebec so she moves there. On the way she tries to seek out her estranged daughter Maude and meets up with her boyfriend Raphael. On this journey Flora starts to mix up her past roles in the theatre with her past life as an adopted child and then her early years as an actress. In this encounter with her past Flora rediscovers herself and learns how to cope with her present life.

I have to say that this was a pleasant read. There are moments of beauty and ugliness but I admit that it didn’t make my jaw drop or make me claim that it changed my life. It’s a good read. It’s poignant in places and you feel satisfied when you close the book. It’s a solid novel.
 

audette's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

brilliancee's review

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5.0

As with Flora Fontagnes' role, this book holds my heart with both hands. The writing (and translation) is stunning, stretching my heart to mould its words within.

The ending, with mention of her new role, adds a further dimension. Look up the synopsis of what is referred to.
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