Marcel Pagnol, Manon des sources (FEB-MAR, 2025)
Wednesday 6 pm – 7:30 pm (NY time) / 5 weeks / February 12 – March 12, 2025.
Intermediate (B1) and Advanced (B2) levels.
54 pages to read each week in average. 272 pages in total.
5 weeks. 7.5 hours in total.
10 students.
We will read the book in the small size edition published by Grasset / Fallois (the one with the drawing by Sempé on the cover). Kindle version are also possible.
Manon des sources is the second volume of a two-part story titled L'Eau des collines. We will have previously read the first volume, Jean de Florette, immediately beforehand but both novel can be read without reading the other.
Wednesday 6 pm – 7:30 pm (NY time) / 5 weeks / February 12 – March 12, 2025.
Intermediate (B1) and Advanced (B2) levels.
54 pages to read each week in average. 272 pages in total.
5 weeks. 7.5 hours in total.
10 students.
We will read the book in the small size edition published by Grasset / Fallois (the one with the drawing by Sempé on the cover). Kindle version are also possible.
Manon des sources is the second volume of a two-part story titled L'Eau des collines. We will have previously read the first volume, Jean de Florette, immediately beforehand but both novel can be read without reading the other.
Wednesday 6 pm – 7:30 pm (NY time) / 5 weeks / February 12 – March 12, 2025.
Intermediate (B1) and Advanced (B2) levels.
54 pages to read each week in average. 272 pages in total.
5 weeks. 7.5 hours in total.
10 students.
We will read the book in the small size edition published by Grasset / Fallois (the one with the drawing by Sempé on the cover). Kindle version are also possible.
Manon des sources is the second volume of a two-part story titled L'Eau des collines. We will have previously read the first volume, Jean de Florette, immediately beforehand but both novel can be read without reading the other.
Picking up where Jean de Florette left off, Manon des Sources transports readers back to the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence. Years have passed since the tragic events that claimed the life of Jean Cadoret, leaving behind a young daughter, Manon, to bear the weight of her family's misfortune. The story follows Manon's journey as she grows into a strong-willed woman, her spirit forged in the crucible of her father's loss. The shadow of the past looms large as Manon navigates the complexities of rural life. With a heart filled with both grief and a burning desire for justice, she becomes the embodiment of her father's spirit.
Vengeance and justice become central to Manon's character arc as she seeks retribution for her father's tragic fate. The novel continues to intertwine human lives with the natural world, particularly through Manon's profound connection to the land and water. Her journey from a grieving child to a strong, independent woman is a poignant coming-of-age story. As the narrative unfolds, readers are confronted with complex moral dilemmas, challenging their own perceptions of right and wrong.
Marcel Pagnol (1895-1974), a renowned French author, screenwriter, and film director, brings Provence to life with unparalleled authenticity. Pagnol's writing style is characterized by its simplicity and clarity, allowing readers to fully immerse themselves in the world he creates. His humor, often tinged with irony, adds depth and complexity to his characters and their stories.
