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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”
This beautiful description hooked me on my first read. Now I’ve read them all and have fallen love with Three Pines and all the characters. Thank you for these post cards. They will make me even more nostalgic for Three Pines.
Ah, yes. Love Ruth and her duck. The people are so real. I want to have dinner at the diner and sit by the fire and talk…or listen to everyone. I love your books.
I love this too Louise, thanks!
I so love the Gamache mind and seeing how the characters evolve. Came upon a copy of Still Life in a small bookstore while on holiday in New York State. My daughter said Mom you will love this series it’s based in Quebec. She was so right. I have read them all and awaiting the next. Now she’s selling them in her bookstore in Ontario. Still Life is an amazing read.
Love this. Thanks so much for sharing. Looking forward to the next one and the lovely reminder of wonderful Three Pines.
Have read every one of your books and impatiently wait for the next. I know and love all your characters and want to see what happens in Three Pines in the next book. Do hurry, please.
Everything that I feel about Three Pines has been said above, I too want to move there and sit by the fire at the Bistro and enjoy a glass of wine. The journey to Three Pines with every new book provides a respite for all of us, a time to put all of the “stuff of life” on the back burner and be drawn into a new mystery, which of course will be solved by our friend Gamache.
At my Book Club meeting today we discussed the Gamache series and how much we love Three Pines and the characters. Thank you for the postcards…beautiful.
I am never without a book, however, Louise penny’s are the only ones I will open immediately and put aside whatever I am reading. Can’t wait for the new one
Post cards…seemingly an old fashioned way of keeping our family and friends abreast of our travels and adventures. Interestingly, “Duc de Lorraine”, a favourite patisserie on Cote des Neiges in Montreal, hands out post cards, and I picked some up. These were mailed to two very young friends who helped out with a “Friendship Tea”. You can’t write tomes on a post card…brevity is key. Louise, you summarized for us your thoughts beautifully!
Perhaps this is what heaven is like—only with no murders, no issues from the past to face, forgive or eradicate and no fear. Lots of light let in. Forever and ever. One.
I started borrowing these books from the library, but I could not get them all fast enough so my husband said “just order them from Amazon.” I did! I don’t have the first four, but do have all the rest. I, too, will re-read them before next one comes out in November. Many thanks Louise for this delightful series. I feel like each character is a friend, love the scenic descriptions and love, love, love Ruth and her duck!
Thank you so much, Louise, for the post card idea! I’m sure your legions of fans will enjoy them as much as I will. I’ve read all of Gamache, etc all, from Still Life on and agree with the many wishes that each wants to live in Three Pines. The characters are memorable a but I’d really love to meet Ruth waling her duck on the Commons. Enjoy everyone!!!
I think I love these books so much for a number of reasons:
Gamache’s exceptionally strong moral compass. (I really want to believe that the world is full of others like him!)
All the wonderfully flawed, creative and personable characters!
The scenery, history and French language quips Ms. Penny describes so well.
I learn something(s) from every novel.
Each novel is so wonderfully different, but with a story that connects each.
There’s always quite a bit of humor, as well as suspense.
I really like Louise Penny too — she’s talented, smart, candid about her past, appreciative of: her fans, the life she had with her husband and his support, her employees and friends.
Thank you for enriching my life!
We need a refuge like Three Pines in our lives right now to ground us to what is good and honest. I can’t wait for the new book. I pre-ordered it months ago!
I want to live there, & I feel like I am when I’m reading the books. Have them all. Keep on writing Louise!
My introduction to this delightful series was Glass Houses. Even though Thred Pines is ficticious, I sat with Google maps in one hand and the book in the other, finding all town, islands, and waterways that are real. Louise Penny’s magical writing transports you in such a vivid way! I finished Still Life last night and will work my way though the series, savoring the characters and culture so different from my West Texas surroundings.
What a wonderful idea to be able to re visit a book via a postcard.
I’m in love with Three Pines and all the residents. Especially Gamache and his family. Thank you for writing these stories. I can hardly wait for your new books!!
I would love to be a part of this circle of friends. I always tell myself to make her new release last longer, but I just can’t help but to read them so quickly.
I want to retire to Three Pines!