Tata - by Valérie Perrin (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

The new novel by the international bestselling author of Fresh Water for Flowers

"Tata is Perrin's most ambitious, most intimate, most liberating, most important book yet."--Le Parisien

When Agnes hears from the local police her Aunt Colette has died, she can't believe her ears.  Her father's sister Colette, her Tata, died three years ago and has been resting in peace in the cemetery of Gueugnon.

Agnes is called to identify the body: there is no doubt, it's Aunt Colette. But then, who rests under the stone engraved with Colette's name? And why did she fake her own death? So begins an investigation back in time, as Agnes pieces together the multitude of stories that lie behind her aunt's second death.      

An intricate, compelling web of stories told with irony, delicacy and depth, Tata will keep readers glued to every page.

"Valérie Perrin is a prodigious storyteller."--Elle 

Review Quotes

Praise for Forgotten on Sunday

★ "Perrin's signature gift of transmuting quotidian circumstances into transcendent truths is everywhere apparent."--Foreword Reviews (Starred Review)

★ "The many admirers of Perrin's previous novel, Fresh Water for Flowers, will be equally charmed by this beguiling tale. All other readers might be doubly rewarded."--Library Journal

"Evokes something of the heartwarming whimsy of the 2001 movie, Amélie . . . Forgotten on Sunday is a pain au chocolat of a book--flaky but buttery, with a sweet center. . . [a] sentimental soul-soother."--Heller McAlpin, NPR Books

"A deeply emotional, intergenerational saga about family secrets and the enduring power of love.... An engrossing work about love and loss; ideal for fans of Jojo Moyes and Kate Morton."--Booklist

"An endearing and original heroine, a surprising setting, and a talented author."--ELLE

"Beautiful."--L'Express 

Praise for Fresh Water for Flowers

"A beautiful, intensely atmospheric bittersweet dream of a book."―Matt Haig

"Melancholic and yet ebullient... An appealing indulgence in nature, food and drink, and, above all, friendships."--The Guardian

"It's very healing... I haven't read a more beautifully written book for a long time."--Sarah Harden, CEO of Hello Sunshine, in the Wall Street Journal

"Full of contentment and hope... Fans of Elizabeth Berg will enjoy this thoughtful take on the inner life of an unforgettable woman."--Booklist

"A glorious read. Touching, thought provoking, taut: a tribute to our power to heal. Another must read."--OCinsite.com

★ "Exuberant."--ForeWord Reviews (Starred Review)

"Colorful and highly enjoyable."--Kirkus Reviews

"Enchanting."--Publishers Weekly

"Romantic, yes; light, yes; meaningless, no."--Bethanne Patrick, Literary Hub

"Fresh Water for Flowers entranced me with its quiet joy."--Kathi Kirby, Powell's Books, Portland, OR

"Fresh Water For Flowers goes to show how debuts can be great works. Perrin plumbs the depths of motherhood, life on the streets, and regret in her story [...] It is an extremely well-written book that was frankly difficult to put down."--San Francisco Book Review