615 Results with the "Historical Fiction" genre


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      Pneumonia

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with a damp Breton spring, where Madame Manec falls severely ill with pneumonia. Marie-Laure notices the intense heat radiating from Madame's chest and her labored, coughing breaths. In her feverish state, Madame speaks cryptically about watching sardines, termites, and crows, hinting at a delusional sense of responsibility for the natural world. A doctor prescribes rest and remedies, but Madame's condition worsens, and her ramblings reveal a surreal belief that she controls…
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      Plage du Môle

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Marie-Laure, a blind girl whose father has been missing for twenty-nine days, is awakened by Madame Manec's determined footsteps. Despite Etienne's objections, Madame Manec insists on taking Marie-Laure outside, asserting that she can no longer stand by idly. The old woman helps Marie-Laure dress, ties a scarf over her head, and leads her out into the rainy February morning. Marie-Laure hesitates, her heart racing, but Madame Manec reassures her they are doing nothing wrong as they step through the…
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      Perfumer

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Big Claude Levitte, a perfumer in Saint-Malo, runs a struggling parfumerie that thrives only during the fish-salting season when the town reeks. To supplement his income, he has ventured into a lucrative side business: transporting meat from Cancale to Paris, navigating bureaucratic hurdles with shrewdness. Despite the October heat, which feels unseasonably oppressive, Claude spends his day idle in his shop, surrounded by unsold perfumes, snacking on biscuits and fanning himself. The stagnant air mirrors…
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      Part Two:iii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Jim, the pub owner, notices a familiar figure—Eilis Lacey—who appears to avoid his gaze, stirring a mix of recognition and uncertainty in him. The pub, a longstanding family establishment, serves as a backdrop for Jim's reflections on past relationships and present social dynamics. Regular patrons and acquaintances, including Martin and Mrs Lacey, form a subtle network around him, highlighting changes in their interactions since Eilis’s departure. Jim’s observations reveal his…
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      Part Two:iii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Jim Farrell, the pub owner, notices a familiar figure, Eilis Lacey, who seems to avoid his gaze, stirring a mix of recognition and uncertainty. The narrative reveals Jim’s connections with local patrons, including Eilis’s mother and Martin, who frequents the bar but remains distant. The dynamics within the pub are highlighted through Jim’s observations of the staff, particularly Andy, a young and somewhat cheeky barman whose presence brings a new crowd, contrasting with Jim’s more…
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      Part Two:ii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Eilis at home, eagerly awaiting deliveries she ordered as a surprise for her mother. When the delivery men arrive with a fridge, washing machine, and cooker, the neighbors watch curiously. However, it quickly becomes apparent that Eilis did not consult her mother beforehand. The house remains unchanged after twenty years, lacking modern appliances, which motivated Eilis's gesture. Her mother, however, is taken aback and confused by the unexpected arrival of these large items,…
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      Part Two:ii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Eilis returns home to find herself caught in an unexpected situation after ordering new kitchen appliances without consulting her mother. The arrival of a fridge, washing machine, and cooker surprises the household and neighbors alike. Eilis had hoped to surprise her mother with these modern conveniences, but the unchanged state of the house over twenty years makes the sudden upgrade feel overwhelming. Her mother, accustomed to a simpler lifestyle without such appliances, is bewildered and…
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      Part Two:i

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in Nancy’s chip shop, where the pervasive smell of cooking oil fills the air as she prepares to open for business. Nancy reflects on the absence of her daughter Miriam, who would normally complain about the lingering odor infiltrating the house. She calls out for her son Gerard but receives no reply, knowing he often prefers socializing at local pubs now that the chip shop is successful. The thick fumes compel Nancy to switch on a noisy fan and eventually open the shop’s door to let…
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      Part Two:i

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Nancy preparing her chip shop for the day, surrounded by the thick smell of cooking oil that permeates the shop and threatens to invade the house above. She notes with relief that her daughter Miriam is out, as Miriam often complains about the lingering odour. Nancy calls out for her son Gerard, hoping he is home, but he is absent, spending evenings at local pubs with other business owners. As the fumes grow oppressive, she turns on the noisy fan, eventually opening the door to air…
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      Part Three:iii

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Jim’s growing relationship with Nancy is explored against the backdrop of social expectations and personal hesitations. After spending a day together in Dublin, Jim contemplates making their engagement public, hoping it would compel them to formalize their commitment. Nancy, however, insists on careful planning, mindful of not overshadowing Miriam’s upcoming wedding. Jim’s impatience contrasts with Nancy’s caution, reflecting their differing approaches to the future. Despite the…
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