Isn’t it lovely when a novel sweeps you away?
Deborah Lawrenson’s The Lantern swept me to Provence. To lush countryside so wonderfully evoked that I saw the sights, I heard the sounds, and most of all there were scents, such wonderful scents …
Eve was swept away too. She fell in love with Dom, an older music producer, and they planned a new life together, restoring a run down farmhouse in the country.
At first they were both happy, enjoying an extended honeymoon, but in time cracks appeared.
Eve wondered why Dom would tell her nothing about Rachel, his first wife.
For a while she was distracted by a writing project. In the past she had been a translator of other writers’ works, but she began to plan a novel of her own. Based on the story of the last woman to live in her home.
And so the story of Benedicte entwined with the story of Eve. The story of an old woman haunted by the past, and by the sister and brother who were lost to her. Marthe, her elder sister, had lost her sight in a childhood accident, and yet she went on to become a famous parfumière, the toast of Paris. But their brother, Pierre, cast a shadow over both their lives …
The story twisted back and forth, and I was utterly entranced.
I could have quibbled with a few points, but I didn’t want to. I wanted to keep turning the pages, to go on reading the lovely, descriptive prose, and to find out what would happen, how it would all end.
Eve’s fears grew. She found that Sabine, the woman who had befriended her and had planted the idea for her novel, had known Rachel. And she began to wonder if, maybe, Sabine was manipulating her.
Dom became more and more remote.
And Eve began to wonder if her home was haunted.
In time, of course, the two stories came together, to make a fine and dramatic conclusion.
Now, the present day story may sound a little familiar. You might hear echoes of Daphne Du Maurier’s Rebecca
It is to Deborah Lawrenson’s great credit that she acknowledges her debt to Rebecca, having Eve re-read the novel that she loves so much. And that she updates that story in a way that both subtle and clever.
That, a wonderful story set in the past, and beautifully evoked settings made The Lantern a wonderful summer read.
The story lingers, and so do the sights, the sounds and the scents …
Fleur in her World 
I have hovered over this novel for so long now (just like a true indecisive Libran!) and you have finally convinced me to go for it! Thank you although my bookshelves might be having words with you… ;–)
I am sure that a touch of Provence will be very good for your bookshelves 😉
This is one I would like to read. I am glad to have a read a review that promises so much.
Certainly one that will find its way onto my bookshelf.
Jo, I am sure that you will love it!
This sounds lovely.
I know you love France Kathy, and this would be a wonderful book to take you back there.
I’ll be reading this for a book tour next month. Glad you liked it.
I’m glad this one is getting a tour – it’s a very well executed book that would appeal to a lot of people,
I’m eager to be swept away!! I have a copy of this one on my Kindle.
Enjoy the journet Staci!
I would also like to be swept away to Provence!
Yes, it would be wonderful!
Thank you so much for your lovely thoughtful review, “Fleur”. I’m delighted that the scents and other sensory transports worked for you!
Hello Deborah. The Lantern was a joy to read and to write about, and it is lovely to see a good book receiving so much attention.
This is in my TBR pile so will put it closer to the top!
When you want to escape into a book that is thoughtful but not too demanding, this is the one!
I’ve had this on my TBR list for a few months and have been patiently waiting for its arrival at the library. It is set to be in my hands on Tuesday and I am looking forward to being transported the rest of the week. Thanks for heightening my anticipation!
I’m sure you will find it was worth the wait – enjoy!
I’m reading this one now and feel similarly swept away! At this point (about a quarter of the way in), I confess to being more enchanted with Eve’s story than Benedictine’s, but I’m sure that will change. I’m glad to hear you enjoyed this one so much, as I am as captivated by Lawrenson’s prose as I am the setting and mysteriousness.
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Also reading this book right now. Love that the stories intertwine and cannot wait to see how they come together.