Maïténa : roman

In a quiet farmhouse on the edge of a French village, Maïténa Otéguy tends the hearth, roasting chestnuts while the world outside drifts between the northern fields and the southern hamlet. The rhythm of the ticking clock and the soft breathing of a sleeping child create a gentle soundtrack to her solitary evenings, until the slow clatter of approaching sabots heralds an unexpected visitor. An elderly neighbor, Ourtic, arrives with a mix of weary humor and lingering melancholy, sparking a conversation that peels back layers of routine life and hints at long‑held memories.

Through their exchange, the novel paints a vivid portrait of rural resilience, the comfort of silence, and the subtle tensions that linger beneath everyday chores. As Maïténa grapples with the visitor’s cryptic remarks about past anniversaries and unspoken hardships, the story invites listeners to feel the texture of a world where simple acts—like sharing chestnuts—carry deeper significance. The first act sets the stage for a quietly powerful exploration of love, loss, and the ties that bind a small community together.