From the very first pages, the fate of Jean and his grandmother Madeleine sweeps the reader into a nostalgic novel. In Limousin, far from the bustle of Paris, the main character grows up, who is also the narrator of this long declaration of love. Deprived of parents, the orphan is raised and accompanied by a gentle grandmother whom he admires. Madame is the heir to a prestigious lineage. Yet, this old lady does not lack eccentricity. She, who married against the authority of her parents, had to take care of her three children alone. It is also in this solitude that she welcomed Jean, her only child. A bond is formed between them. The boy is very interested in history: that of the country, but also that of his family and, in particular, the early years of Madeleine. The chateau had even hosted the illustrious painter Renoir! This painter occupies an important place in this intrigue where the author has infused many artistic references, more or less ancestral. The result is both authentic, traditional, yet endowed with a certain modernism. Indeed, the characters lean towards the conservative side, but Jean never abandons his elder. Madeleine represents everything he holds dear… For him, who lost his parents at the age of twelve, this woman with her thrilling stories and anecdotes becomes his anchor.
Throughout her numerous trials, Madame shows unwavering courage. This is particularly evident in her jokes and her steadfast faith. Never cruel and always hoping for her family’s well-being, Jean shares her memories. As a worthy heir of this ancestor, this tale follows life. Madeleine has already lived a life filled with obstacles and joys, and Jean constantly looks back to ensure she follows him closely. But no one is eternal… The years pass, and age-related illnesses and frailties accumulate. Inevitably, Madeleine fades away, but it is not the end for Jean — who finds himself in a spiral of depression, hope, and introspection.
Xavier-Marie Garcette’s book echoes the autobiographical novel of Philippe Torreton published by Iconoclaste in 2014. “Mémé” is a touching work, a narrative where childhood memories play a central role. In this ocean of tenderness, the reader follows the daily life of a Norman family while bearing the indelible marks of the twentieth-century wars. The writer of “Trévizac” wields a fine, precise pen — leaving no gaps. Some excerpts are described with just a handful of words. The intended effect is akin to a slap or a gentle caress. With this personal and universal pen, Xavier-Marie Garcette speaks to all children who have loved a grandmother, a grandfather who has been the ultimate figure of protection, to no end… Through this courageous figure, Jean finds a model, an example to follow. And this, even when she is no longer among the living.
In reality, this novel, imbued with gentle melancholy, does not fall into the cliché of “old France.” Thanks to this atypical grandmother who dances the Charleston very well and parties until dawn, the reader is never bored… This story depicts well the transition from childhood to adulthood. Ultimately, this Jean cannot resign himself to abandon this ever-present figure in his mind. The loss of a loved one does not mean he must erase them. On the contrary, their weight still influences the balance, even when they disappear. These moments, filled with luxury, never surpass the flavor of a moment alongside this grandmother. Jean was fortunate to grow and flourish with this old lady and the nurse from Ukraine, Irina. She too did not have an easy life… In quite another domain. Since this testimony takes place in the years of the Cold War, the reader confronts the harsh reality of those men and women who fled their lands, hoping to find peace elsewhere.
The book “Trévizac” is not lacking in flair. It offers a story worthy of a fairy tale, with a fairy of a grandmother and a constant reflection, for an altruistic narrator who knows to recognize his mistakes. A character as endearing as the elder, whom the reader would gladly want to be invited to. The author skillfully intertwines historical events and characters with his creations.
The author’s website: [https://xaviermarie-garcette.fr/](https://xaviermarie-garcette.fr/)
