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“Here in Quebec. Finally started writing. I think I’ll call it STILL LIFE. What do you think? Struggling a bit with fear but inspired by the fall colours. ”
AN EXCERPT FROM STILL LIFE
- Three Pines wasn’t on any tourist map, being too far off any main or even secondary road. Like Narnia, it was generally found unexpectedly and with a degree of surprise that such an elderly village should have been hiding in this valley all along. Anyone fortunate enough to find it once usually found their way back. And Thanksgiving, in early October, was the perfect time. The weather was usually crisp and clear, the summer scents of old garden roses and phlox were replaced by musky autumn leaves, woodsmoke and roast turkey.
- Three huge pine trees faced [Gamache] at the far end of the green. Between him and them was a pond, a bunch of sweater-clad children circling it, hunting for frogs, he supposed. The village green sat, not surprisingly, in the center of the village, a road called The Commons circling it with homes, except behind him, which seemed to be the commercial district. It was a very short commercial. It consisted, as far as Gamache could see, of a depanneur whose Pepsi sign read ‘Beliveau’. Beside that was a boulangerie, the Bistro and a bookstore. Four roads led off The Commons, like the spokes of a wheel, or the directions of a compass.
- As he sat quietly and let the village happen around him he was impressed by how beautiful it was, these old homes facing the green, with their mature perennial gardens and trees. By how natural everything looked, undesigned. And the pall of grief that settled on this little community was worn with dignity and sadness and a certain familiarity. This village was old, and you don’t get to be old without knowing grief. And loss.
415 replies on “Postcards from Three Pines: Still Life”
A perfect postcard for Three Pines. I just re-read Still Life for a book club pick and it made me want to read them all again. Can’t wait for November 27!
Three Pines IS a real place, if only in the minds of Louise Penny and all her avid readers. It isn’t that much of a leap to imagine a replica built somewhere in the townships, populated by Quebecois actors playing the parts of the locals. Quebec Tourism could make tbis a viable project with, of course, Penny hetself as Creative Consultant. 😉
No better place to escape to, Three Pines. [Sigh]
I will be visiting Montreal and the Eastern Townships in mid- September, the better to imagine the setting of Three Pines and Louise’s novels. So excited to be there and so excited about the upcoming book. I think that I, too, will reread Glass Houses just to be ready for the threads to be picked up in the new book.
Have loved all these books. I, like others, am ready to start all over again with book one.
Three Pines is better than Brigadoon! In spite of the murder rate (we would not have these wonderful books without that), I would move there right now!
This place is my Nirvana!
I stumbled into Three Pines in much the same way…this looks like a good book, I think I’ll read it. I enjoy going back each year, and l reread a few of the previous books before the new release. It’s always good to go back to the beginning…..
Such beautiful post cards. Still Life is still an amazing book!
What a wonderful way to count the days! Looking forward to the newest Gamache book. Thank you Louise Penny.
Sigh – Three Pines is better than Brigadoon. . . I am ready to move there right now (in spite of the murder rate)!
Oh my goodness Louise every time I read or read your books and especially your first book, I am reminded once again how I fell in love with your writing, Gamache, Three Pines And all the lovely people who live there, it’s been such a great series, I thank you again for the wonderful journey we’ve been on with you.
Like the aroma of scones fresh from the oven and a path marked by sunlight through the trees, this pulls me in. Even knowing danger awaits, I must enter the village, cautiously.
Perhaps it is time to reread the entire series.
This is a great reminder of why I loved Still Life, and all the books that followed.
Three Pined takes me to a magical place with every book.
Thank you.
This is where I want to live!
Ah! We stayed at Le Chien Noir in Knowlton last fall. Magical feeling of stepping into the books!
The postcards are a great idea, drawing us in with a personal touch and a reminder to slow down and notice the little things. I still treasure the postcards and letters I’ve received over the years (rare now, until yours). I especially like the ones I inherited, written in a German script no longer in use, called Suetterlin, written and sent ny my aunts during the last world war. Deciphering them took a while, but was well worth the effort.
When can I move to Three Pines?
I remember starting your second book and was so glad we were back in Three Pines. I loved the people and didn’t want to lose them.