
In a windswept corner of Normandy, a modest stone church perched on a sheer cliff becomes the quiet stage for a solemn gathering. As the evening bells fade, the congregation parts to make way for a richly dressed woman cradling a newborn, the infant Sibylla, whose arrival is both a tender miracle and a stark reminder of recent loss. The scene is painted with the hush of the sea, the glow of the setting sun, and the lingering prayers of an aging priest who watches the fragile new life amid the shadows of old graves.
Beyond the chapel, the de Férias family and their close acquaintances navigate a web of grief, duty, and hidden yearning. The narrative follows Sibylla’s early days alongside the lives of neighboring households, each carrying their own secrets and quiet hopes. As the characters confront love, madness, and the weight of tradition, listeners are drawn into a richly atmospheric tale that balances the beauty of the coastal landscape with the complexities of the human heart.
Language
fi
Duration
~9 hours (538K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Credits
Juhani Kärkkäinen and Tapio Riikonen
Release date
2020-11-09
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1821–1890
A bestselling French novelist and dramatist of the 19th century, he became known for polished, emotional stories that appealed strongly to readers of the Second Empire. His work often explored love, morality, and the tensions of social life.
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