Notre-Dame-D'amour

A novel written in the late 19th century. The story centers around a young maiden named Zanette, who is devoted to the Virgin Mary, referred to in the novel as Notre-Dame-d'Amour, residing in a neglected chapel in the Camargue region. As her innocence and dreams for love unfold, the narrative hints at the interactions and conflicts that may arise in her life. The opening of the novel introduces us to Zanette, a charming and graceful sixteen-year-old, living a simple life on her father's farm, the Sirène. She is depicted as having a vivid inner life, often daydreaming by the river, and holds a deep reverence for the small chapel dedicated to Notre-Dame-d'Amour, a figure she prays to daily. As her devotion unfolds, we sense her yearning for love and companionship, especially regarding a young man named Jean Pastorel, who embodies the potential for romance. However, the illicit intentions of another suitor, the rough Martégas, alongside the evolving dynamics of her relationships within the rural landscape, suggest that Zanette's journey will be fraught with emotional peril and the complexities of young love.