Le Ble en Herbe

More about the book

A poignant novel about the bittersweet farewell to childhood. One summer by the sea changes everything for Vinca, a young girl, and Philippe, her longtime companion, as they navigate the intimate entanglements of the heart. Colette's small masterpiece reads as both a captivating summer romance and a chronicle of all-consuming adolescence. Fifteen-year-old Vinca adores the sea and the seemingly endless summer months: swimming, fishing, and wandering through the dunes and along the rocky shores. Year after year, she has shared this time of joy and childlike innocence with Philippe. However, this summer feels different—less carefree, less joyful. What was once a source of laughter now brings awkwardness, and thoughts and feelings that were once shared openly are now kept secret. As Vinca and Philippe embark on new horizons, they find themselves unexpectedly estranged by their feelings for one another, yet more intimately connected than ever.