This book is a series of interconnected stories over ~75y set in a small alpine village, all from the point of view of women. I don’t often read historical fiction, however I’m trying to read the women’s prize shortlists so this one ended up on my list! I enjoyed the way the author described the simple village life, and the women’s different perspectives of it. The novel starts with a mysterious postcard, and I did think this would be a theme throughout, so I was a bit disappointed that this was addressed at the end as I’d assumed it would be. Otherwise I really enjoyed it, and found the characters to be complex and well written.

Lippi won the Pen/Hemingway Award for this collection of linked stories, an honor well bestowed on this beautifully written work of fiction. The stories are set in the village of Rosenau, high in the Bregenz Forest of Vorarlberg. Spanning eighty years of village life, the narrative reveals first one woman’s secrets and then another, the incidents of one era bringing repercussions in another. Lippi chooses just the right details of life in the mountains to portray a community always tested by its place in time. Yet the conflicts of these unknown women will be recognized by every reader as universal and true as life itself. The author has provided clan charts, a pronunciation guide and a glossary at the back of the book, and the reader is advised to consult these helpful tools for a fuller comprehension of the complex dialect and family relationships portrayed.

This is a series of slices of life in a remote agricultural community in Austria, covering roughly the first 70 years of the 20th century (with more of a focus on the first half). All are told from the point of view of women in related clans. After all, many of the men are absent, temporarily or permanently, because of war, and the women are left to cope as best they can. My favourite character was Johanna, determinedly independent, and I was glad she played a major role in several stories.

I’m having trouble thinking of what to say about it. There’s no real plot, but there is something compelling about seeing lives unfolding in this restricted community. There are dramas and tragedies, but it remains a peaceful read, easy to pick up and put down between stories. I was glad of the family trees in the back, as family ties did get a bit confusing three generations in. Anyway, I’m not sorry I read it — a solid 3-star read.

Charming, homey read...accepting relationships among an entwined community spanning generations. My only challenge was keeping track of each person across decades.

I wish you could “heart” books on Goodreads like you can on Letterboxd.

Lucy recommended this to me a few years ago and this was my second time reading it. I don’t often fly through books but it felt nice to do that with this one. Made me feel 1000 years old.

Kind of boring but I enjoyed it because of it being set in Voralberg where my father grew up.