A Virgin Heart: A Novel

A quiet terrace overgrown with brambles becomes the stage for an unusual encounter between a shy, mulberry‑eating girl and a middle‑aged naturalist who spends his days cataloguing insects and gossiping about society. Through the scientist’s sharp, almost clinical observations, the story delves into the hidden stirrings of a “virgin heart,” treating youthful innocence as a living, physiological reality rather than an abstract ideal. The narrative balances gentle humor with a thoughtful examination of desire, curiosity, and the ways people project their own expectations onto the young.

Set against the backdrop of a crumbling garden and the bustling world of the Louvre’s sculpture department, the novel follows the observer’s attempts to understand both the tiny creatures he studies and the complex emotions of the girl he watches. As he toggles between scientific fascination and social intrigue, the reader is invited to consider how love, longing, and the search for knowledge intersect in everyday life, all while the characters navigate the delicate dance of connection and restraint.