A debut novel about the mysteries of a universal Provence. It is a concentrate of what made Le Tripode the best independent French publisher in 2019: powerful narration, ecological themes and unending creativity.

One morning, after a night of violent thunderstorms, a man comes knocking on old farmer Sécaillat’s door. What drove his gruff and secretive neighbour to come around? The man brings him to the field between their properties. The rain and mud destroyed part of the old stone wall. Inside the ruins, you can see mysterious bits of pottery. Surprised and intrigued, the two men decide to carry out a secret dig…a dig that will change their lives forever.

Though inspired by Giono and Bosco, The Tale of the Mistral is not just any novel. It is the beginning of a journey, a novel about friendship, a reminder never to forget, a window sliding silently open over the Provençal landscape.

Excerpt

Reader, should wish to understand how all this happened, you should not be afraid to delve into the past. If you insist on staying ensconced in the mere reality of your daily life, you may not grasp the essence of what is about to follow. Worse yet, you might not believe it, rather, you may understand the how but you’ll miss out on the why.