Mon oncle et mon curé; Le voeu de Nadia

A proud yet diminutive fifteen‑year‑old narrator recounts life under the roof of a crumbling country estate she calls the Buisson. Raised by a relentless aunt whose contempt for weakness shapes every day, she endures the squalor of mud, chickens and untended gardens while clinging to an innate love of order. The parish priest, who visits three times a week, becomes her unexpected mentor, filling her mind with lessons that contrast sharply with the harshness of her domestic world.

The companion tale, “Le vœu de Nadia,” follows a young woman whose secret wish sets her on a path of quiet yearning and subtle rebellion. As Nadia navigates familial expectations and the whispers of her own heart, she discovers that even the most modest desire can ripple through the lives around her. Both stories weave together themes of resilience, education, and the tender power of hope in the face of confinement.