The Memory of Lavender and Sage perfectly captures my favorite women’s fiction trope. We all know that I can’t resist a “Woman buys ramshackle house in small rural town and renovates it, thereby renovating her whole life in the process” story.
You know what else? This one’s set in FRANCE. Plus, author Aimie K. Runyan throws some magical realism into the mix.
Are you excited yet?
What’s The Memory of Lavender and Sage about?
The Memory of Lavender and Sage follows Tempesta, who inherits a small sum of money when her father passes away. Adrift with what she wants from life, Tempesta impulsively buys a fixer-upper house in the small Provencal village of Saint-Colombe in an attempt to connect with her French roots on her late mother’s side.
As the villagers cautiously welcome their newcomer into Sainte-Colombe, Tempesta discovers joy in renovating her house, cultivating plants and herbs in her greenhouse, and learning the local history of the town – as well as her own family history that seems built into the very house she’s living in.
What I loved about The Memory of Lavender and Sage
Like with Runyan’s previous novel, A Bakery in Paris, it took me a little while to get into The Memory of Lavender and Sage. I’m not a huge fan of Runyan’s writing style, and the dialogue between characters rings a little wooden for me.
However, the actual story of The Memory of Lavender and Sage is fantastic. I loved getting to know Tempesta and her tumultuous family background, and seeing her life blossom and flourish in Sainte-Colombe. And, after wandering around Giverny and Vernon last year, it was so easy for me to imagine the French village of Sainte-Colombe.
Runyan fully transported me to Provence with her use of French Occitan traditions, customs, language, and even names throughout the book. There’s a great cast of characters, from best friend Esteva to grumpy mayor Pau, from the motherly and wise Jenofa to the handsome and kind-hearted carpenter Tiberi (love interest alert!).
I also loved the sprinkling of magical realism in the book. Tempesta comes from a long line of “witchy” women, and she discovers she has a natural gift with herbs, plants, and remedies soon after arriving in the French village.
Should you read The Memory of Lavender and Sage?
My best friend over at My Natural Reflections suggested that I read The Memory of Lavender and Sage, and I’m glad I took her recommendation. This was an easy and enjoyable read, perfect for when you want to lose yourself in another world that moves at a more leisurely pace.
The Memory of Lavender and Sage is Runyan’s first contemporary women’s fiction novel – she usually writes historical fiction – and I think she’s done a great job with it. The plot meanders along, but you’re never bored; the characters and the small town and family catastrophes create a good amount of drama that keeps you intrigued about what will happen next.
If you love all the “save the town!” small town vibes found in TV shows like Hart of Dixie and Gilmore Girls, you’ll fall in love with Sainte-Colombe and its quirky characters. Fans of Under the Tuscan Sun will also get wonderfully familiar vibes from The Memory of Lavender and Sage. And, lovers of Sarah Addison Allen and Heather Webber finally have another magical realism author to add to their TBR list.
What’s the book-inspired recipe for The Memory of Lavender and Sage?
Check back in for my book-inspired recipe: Soupe au pistou.
