A Northern Light in Provence

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A woman leaves her coastal Greenland village to translate the works of a renowned Provenal poet and finds her life irrevocably changed, in this tender and romantic novel set in a French village.

Ilse Erlund is a translator who lives in a house on stilts along the west coast of Greenland. Isolated and restless in her world by the sea, she convinces her publisher to pay for a trip to the country she has never visited but whose language she speaks fluently: France. Her mission is to translate the verses of Geoffrey "Po" Labaye, a charismatic poet known as "the last living troubadour of Provence."

Upon arrival in the medieval hilltop village of Belle Rivire, Ilse falls under the spell of the Provenal way of life, captivated by the air, the sun, the vibrant spring colors, and the dulcet sounds of the dialect. Soon enough, Ilse is captivated by the poet, too, and she and Po develop a daily rhythm and warm camaraderie--which is disrupted by the arrival of the poet's son, Frey. Though he has a fiance back in Paris, Frey turns his attentions to Ilse, and suddenly she is forced to learn another language, one her translation skills have not prepared her to decode. Where--and with whom--does her future lie

With an eye and ear attuned to the sensibilities of French life, Elizabeth Birkelund has created a love story about a woman forced to choose between the security of her quiet northern home and the possibility of the life of her dreams.

Reviews

"A charming and beautifully written novel about self-discovery, the power of language and yes, love! All of which left me yearning for my own Provenal adventure. Elizabeth Birkelund reminds us that sometimes we must step out of our comfort zones to pursue our dreams."--Sara Gruen, author of Water for Elephants and At the Water's Edge

"A gorgeous ice and fire romance that will plunge you into both the infinite tundra of Greenland and the color-soaked mountains of Provence. An immersive, sensual read that demands a hammock, bare feet, and a well-iced bottle of ros."--Helen Simonson, author of The Summer Before the War and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand

"Birkelund's lyrical language transported me to sunny Provence, where I imagined myself sitting amidst a vineyard, wine glass in hand, and to the icy waters of Greenland, where I found myself reaching for a warm wool blanket. The developing bond between the troubadour poet and his French translator moved me deeply."--Alka Joshi, author of The Jaipur Trilogy

"This sweeping, gorgeous novel is more than just a love story--it's a life-affirming tale about finding who and where you're meant to be. Birkeland has the uncanny ability to transport you with her prose to both the charming (and cold!) Greenlandic village and then the warm, idyllic French countryside, but her real gift lies in laying bare the truth of the human heart. I loved it."--Colleen Oakley, author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise and Before I Go

"Provence. Greenland. The names themselves are magical. The astonishing novel weaves together these two enchanted places through the eyes of one woman, Ilse Lund, a professional translator on a journey to find where she belongs. In Elizabeth Birkelund's stunning portrayal, Ilse becomes a kind of alchemist, transforming meaning and emotion from one language and culture to another. She's acutely attuned to the poetry of nature as well as the poetry of individual souls. With heart-stopping lyricism and immersive storytelling, Birkelund made me feel as if I was walking in Ilse's shoes. This intensely moving, vivid, and evocative novel stayed with me long after I finished it, the questions it poses about life, and love, continuing to haunt me."--Lauren Belfer, author of City of Light and Ashton Hall

Author Bio

Elizabeth Birkelund is the author of two previous novels, The Runaway Wife and The Dressmaker. She started her career in the editorial department of European Travel and Life magazine, then turned to freelance writing as a monthly personal finance columnist for Cosmopolitan. She has written for numerous national publications, including Glamour, Self, Working Woman, and Victoria. You may follow her work and travels on Instagram and Facebook.