Culture Street

By Sophia Whitfield
It is no surprise that this quant French novel by Agnes Martin-Lugand is being made into a Hollywood movie. The novel unfolds so visually; it is perfect for the screen with locations in Paris and Ireland.

After a family tragedy Diane leaves behind her popular literary café in Paris to shut herself away in a small Irish village. Still unable to integrate into life a year after the loss of her husband and daughter, Diane withdraws from all her friends and family to cocoon herself in her own grief.

In Ireland, the weather is conducive to feeding her depressed state. She spends days lying on the sofa doing nothing in particular. Her landlords attempt to rally her spirits but to no avail. That is until she meets Edward, her brooding neighbour. He at once resents her intrusion into his solitary life. A photographer, he is used to working alone. But something draws them together.

Closeted away in Ireland, on a trip her husband always wanted to take, Diane seeks the inspiration she needs to rebuild her life.

This heartwarming tale makes a terrific companion to curl up with on the weekend. Originally self published, it is now a bestseller with a Hollywood film in the works. Buy the book here in Australia and here in the UK.