
A sun‑kissed September morning frames the quiet countryside, where the garden wall separates Clairette Fontenac’s family plot from the neighboring orchard. Perched on the wall’s edge, the spirited Clairette greets the shy sixteen‑year‑old Jacques Gerdolle, who has just slipped through the nursery gate. Their conversation drifts between playful banter and the simple pleasures of the landscape—rolling valleys, shimmering streams, and orchards heavy with ripe fruit. The scene is painted with vivid detail, capturing the scent of blossoms and the rustle of golden leaves.
Through their tentative exchange, a subtle chemistry awakens, hinting at the promise of youthful affection set against a world that seems both timeless and on the brink of change. As the golden light fades, listeners are invited to follow Clairette and Jacques as they navigate the gentle currents of love, ambition, and the expectations of their close‑knit village, all while the pastoral charm of the French countryside lingers in the background.
Language
fr
Duration
~5 hours (320K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Produced by Clarity, Hélène de Mink, and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive/Canadian Libraries)
Release date
2017-06-21
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects

1833–1907
Known for lyrical novels and poems rooted in the French countryside, this 19th-century writer brought forests, villages, and provincial life vividly to the page. His work often blends gentle observation of nature with everyday human feeling.
View all books