A Place in the Hills

I have started reading this book thinking it would be just another simple romance story. How pleasantly surprised I was to find out that this story is anything but... This book is purely mesmerizing and once I started reading it, it was extremely hard for me to put it down and extremely easy to ignore a variety of mundane everyday tasks, like cooking dinner or tidying up the house. This story is gripping, heart-breaking and just beautiful and I don't think you will regret it reading it in one sitting, or two...

I was entranced by this story. By the location, a secluded valley steeped in history, tucked away in the Fenouilledes, French foothills of the Pyrenees and of course the characters, in particular Antonia Hunt. This is the story of Antonia; the child, intelligent, misunderstood, desperate for her father's love and approval, whose only friend is Cassius, a Roman poet and soldier who lived 2,000 years ago; Antonia the talented archaeologist, colourful, vulnerable, passionate, determined to solve the riddle Cassius left. On the verge of success and having unexpectedly met Patrick, the first person to understand and love her, tragedy strikes and all she knows is ripped away from her. Antonia; numb, in darkness, at the edge of despair, suddenly having to face the past and "claw her way back to sunlight". The Valley de Sarac is a fascinating backdrop to the story, mirroring the moods of the characters. Stunningly presented in the glory of summer, a time of hope, joy, optimism, then after the accident, the gloom of winter, stark and cold. Having read the story, I glanced back through the book and savoured some favourite parts, as I often do. Soon, I realised I had fingers in four places, tying up details from the beginning that were mirrored or resolved at the end. They intrigued me so much that I actually re-read the book straight away, which I've never done before. In doing that, I found a depth that was very satisfying. Some details had not registered the first time because only in the light of whole story can they be seen and appreciated. The book itself is like an archaeological dig. The more you look, the more you find. The intertwined stories of Cassius and Tacita, Antonia and Patrick are cleverly done. The layers of the book, the parallels of the characters and reflection of one in another is very refreshing and satisfying. This is a love story with an intellectual twist, moving events and well-placed touches of humour which added to the enjoyment. I was so absorbed that I reached the end reluctantly, not wanting to leave and wishing madly that there was more.