European Life

Rae-Valentine and Howard were childhood sweethearts. They’ve shared twenty-five peaceful years since they were brought together by Dolly, Howard’s larger-than-life sister. But now, on the night of their wedding anniversary, Howard reveals a shocking betrayal that leaves Rae reeling. Heartbroken, she takes Dolly on her would-be anniversary trip to Antigua and the two women drink and dance and talk like they haven’t in years.

The opening story in this collection follows Vinny, Kevin, and a mourning family from Liverpool on a journey to Wales. What should be a simple trip turns into something much darker. A cross between Roddy Doyle and Ken Follett, this political storytelling meets you wherever you are on life’s journey, and stays with you.

Claude ist ein unbeständiger Verehrer. Erst lässt er seinen Charme spielen und verführt Dominique mit Champagner und Chanel N° 5, dann wieder ist er unnahbar und abweisend. Gemeinsam haben sie eine Tochter, Épicène, die mit ihrem extravaganten Vornamen früh lernt, eigenständig zu denken und zu handeln. Sie weiß auch sofort, was zu tun ist, als die Mutter in einem Pariser Stadtpalais den Launen des Vaters auf die Schliche kommt.

Charlotte est aux anges : elle a trouvé un travail ! Mais très vite, la situation au bureau se dégrade tandis que sa vie personnelle se détraque... C'est signé ! Charlotte a décroché un job dans une agence d'organisation de mariages : elle pourra soutenir sa famille pendant que son mari Alexandre lance sa boîte. Elle a même réussi à négocier ses mercredis après-midi pour passer du temps avec Lou et Gabriel, ses enfants.

"Coleshanger people are pretty bad," said Uncle Edward. "They won't cross water after sunset. And they have to be in bed by midnight, otherwise they think that they'll be turned into baboons and apes. They also worship the flea." Written in 1952, Coleshanger is a humorous, whimsical, and charming recount of English village life in the early part of the last century, a tale waiting 70 years to be heard but still very much the story of us today.