A delightful read, another Nemirovsky masterpiece - Rated 
After reading Suite Francaise, which I absolutely LOVED, I was a little bit anxious that this other "new" book (that found the day of light after so many years in oblivion) will not fulfil my expectations...but the hell it did, what a brilliant book!
Although it is way too short, and it is obvious that Ms Nemirovsky intended to write a lot more, fortunately the plot is quite coherent and you could imagine where she was going to with it. Nevertheless, I felt the same rage and frustration I experienced with Suite Francaise of never being able to read the finished product, due to the author's untimely death. I am delighted anyway that it has been published in spite of all these shortcomings, as it has been a crime that such a beautiful book has been hidden away for so many years. And unfinished or not, it is always a pleasure to read anything from Irene Nemirovsky. It brings tears to my eyes to realise her voice was extinguished way too early and we have been denied the honour of reading more of her fantastic books.
This book is a gem, I just love Ms Nemirovsky's style, it is so well written, her vivid description of the French country live is a delight to read. It is a very sarcastic and sharp critic to the sometimes petty and particular ways of the peasant mentality. The plot has so many clever twists; I could not put it down. Something I particularly loved about it was how masterfully the author mirrored the past and the present, showing how the more things change the more they stay the same.
A must read. Thank you Ms Nemirovsky, I'll eternally be a fan.
Silvio frequently muses about youthful passion - Rated
I just got done reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, and picked up a copy of Fire in the Blood. The book opens when Silvio's cousin Hélène and her daughter Colette and the rest of the family come over to introduce Colette's fiancé. Hélène is prompted to tell the story of how she and and her husband got together. In fact, François wasn't her first husband. Though he fell in love with her when she was barely more than a child he waited--and waited even after she was married off to a wealthy older man, returning only when Hélène's first husband died, true--or romantically idealised--love then finally taking its course.
Such a situation isn't that uncommon: even now there's a similar case in the neighbourhood, where mean, rich old Declos married the very young Brigitte. Declos hasn't got long to live, but he still hangs on for the time being. Némirovsky is artful in her presentation, careful in the clues she strews from the first page on. As it will turn out, there are many more secrets and connexions here, but she only very gradually lets on what the various relationships and histories are and were. There's tragedy, of course, and scandal, though in this close-knit community the last thing anyone wants is to involve the authorities or anyone from outside. If you missed Tino Georgiou's novel--The Fates, I'd recommend reading it.
Amazing , Charming (2 thumbs Up) - Rated
I picked up this book long after reading "Suite Francaise".After I read its book description on Amazon I could not wait for my local Bookstore to have this book available so I ordered it from amazon and Voila as expected Irene Nemirovsky did an amazing and impeccable job.
It took me on a magical trip through the French countryside which I have visited long time ago. The Characters are so real and the story is more into real life scenarios.
I would recommend it to anyone who likes reading a charming book on a quiet corner in a coffee house.
1 downside is that it is very short (176 pages) ...It is shame because I believe Irene Nemirovsky wanted to add more but the Nazis were quicker I suppose ...
A little gem of a book - Rated
At first the book seems to be a gentle story of French rural life and then, about half way through the book, the narrative erupts into one of crime and passion and one is propelled along to finish it. The writing is very taught with short sentences and no redundant description and yet the author evokes atmosphere and character: she reminded me of Georges Simeon.
Love and betrayal in a sleepy little village - Rated
"There's no such thing as uncomplicated emotions", reflects the narrator. His own youthful follies long behind him, Sylvestre watches his family and neighbours with the detachment of age and experience. He recollects his passion for life, the fire in the blood. He who knows so much is acutely aware of the deep influence of the past on the present. People's personal histories are shaped by what they choose to remember or forget.
This is a haunting tale of secrets bubbling beneath the apparently tranquil surface of a peaceful rural community between the wars. The author's keen eye and the gift of making the setting of her story come alive draw you in.
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