Natalie Zemon Davis's work was so fundamental to my increased love of history, especially of lesser-known and "everyday" women. I read The Return of Martin Guerre in my undergrad history program, then watched the movie, and I was so enraptured by Bertrande's life and choices -- and how, as you describe, Davis gently guides the reader to understand Bertrande as a person by the choices she made. When I heard of her passing I thought I should re-read the book (and watch the film) and this post reminded me I really should!
It is a wonderful book to revisit, readable in a few hours. When I reread it recently, I closed it with the same feeling you have after a great novel, wishing it could go on, wondering what else happened to Bertrande and everyone else in Artigat.
Natalie Zemon Davis's work was so fundamental to my increased love of history, especially of lesser-known and "everyday" women. I read The Return of Martin Guerre in my undergrad history program, then watched the movie, and I was so enraptured by Bertrande's life and choices -- and how, as you describe, Davis gently guides the reader to understand Bertrande as a person by the choices she made. When I heard of her passing I thought I should re-read the book (and watch the film) and this post reminded me I really should!
It is a wonderful book to revisit, readable in a few hours. When I reread it recently, I closed it with the same feeling you have after a great novel, wishing it could go on, wondering what else happened to Bertrande and everyone else in Artigat.
I too now want to return to NZD's works. Her immersive yet light prose style takes you gently by the hand to places that are hard to forget.
Maybe we should start a NZD reading group ;)
WELL.... I think you've landed on something very cool that sews together your past and future books!