The Water of the Hills
Book description
Tells the story of Jean de Florette, a 35-year-old, city-bred, hunchbacked idealist, his wife, Aimee, and his daughter, Manon. In the second novel, Manon seeks revenge for her father's death, and it is she who brings the wheel full circle in a final dramatic retribution in the town square.
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Why read it?
2 authors picked The Water of the Hills as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?
Set in the idyllic French countryside, this two-volume novel delves into the lives of a tight-knit community whose fate hinges on a dispute over a vital water source. Pagnol's lyrical prose captures the beauty and complexities of rural life, blending drama with a deep sense of place and tradition.
In 1986, Claude Berri directed two compelling films based on this story: Jean de Florette and Manon des Sources. Noted for their breathtaking Provence landscapes and heartfelt portrayal of rural life, these adaptations are considered faithful to Pagnol's original work and remain classics of French cinema.
From Robert's list on novels that inspired cinema classics.
Like Jean Giono, Marcel Pagnol was a true Provençal, born in the town of Aubagne in 1895. The Water of the Hills comprises two novels written as one continuous saga, Jean de Florette and Manon of the Springs. The characters and storylines are Provençal in every detail. Pagnol’s descriptions of the landscape, the people, and challenges conjure up magnificently this rural corner in the hills above Marseille. The stories are set between the two great wars. Pagnol was as acclaimed as a filmmaker as he was a novelist. His works are elegant, full of humanity and wit. He…
From Carol's list on fiction and non-fiction about the South of France.
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