What do you think?
Rate this book
A Northern Light in Provence
A woman leaves her coastal Greenland village to translate the works of an elderly Provençal poet and finds her life irrevocably changed in this tender and romantic novel set in a French village.
Ilse Lund is a translator who lives in a house on stilts along the west coast of Greenland. Isolated in her world by the sea, and restless, she convinces her publisher to pay for a trip to the country she has never visited but whose language she speaks fluently—France. Her to translate the verses of Geoffrey Labaye, an elderly poet known as “the last living troubadour of Provence.”
Upon arrival in the medieval hilltop village of Beau Rivière, Ilse falls under the spell of the Provençal way of life--and the charming French poet. She becomes captive to the air, the sun, the vibrant spring colors, and the dulcet sounds of the Provençal dialect. And soon enough, Ilse is captive to the poet, too, as she and Labaye develop a daily rhythm, about words and much else. Their warm camaraderie is disturbed, however, when the poet’s son Frey shows up. Though he has a fiancée back in Paris, Frey turns his attention on Ilse, and suddenly she is forced to learn another language, one her translation skills have not prepared her to decode. With whom and where does her future lie?
With an eye and ear attuned to the sensibilities of French life, Elizabeth Birkelund has created a love story about a woman forced to choose between the security of her quiet northern home and possibly the life of her dreams.
Ilse Lund is a translator who lives in a house on stilts along the west coast of Greenland. Isolated in her world by the sea, and restless, she convinces her publisher to pay for a trip to the country she has never visited but whose language she speaks fluently—France. Her to translate the verses of Geoffrey Labaye, an elderly poet known as “the last living troubadour of Provence.”
Upon arrival in the medieval hilltop village of Beau Rivière, Ilse falls under the spell of the Provençal way of life--and the charming French poet. She becomes captive to the air, the sun, the vibrant spring colors, and the dulcet sounds of the Provençal dialect. And soon enough, Ilse is captive to the poet, too, as she and Labaye develop a daily rhythm, about words and much else. Their warm camaraderie is disturbed, however, when the poet’s son Frey shows up. Though he has a fiancée back in Paris, Frey turns his attention on Ilse, and suddenly she is forced to learn another language, one her translation skills have not prepared her to decode. With whom and where does her future lie?
With an eye and ear attuned to the sensibilities of French life, Elizabeth Birkelund has created a love story about a woman forced to choose between the security of her quiet northern home and possibly the life of her dreams.
332 pages, Hardcover
First published May 21, 2024
232 people are currently reading
9698 people want to read
About the author
Elizabeth Birkelund
5 books99 followersElizabeth graduated from the Hewitt School in New York City, from Brown University with honors in Comparative literature, and from the Radcliffe Publishing Program. After college, she worked for a literary agent and was a member of the editorial staff for a start-up magazine, European Travel and Life. She began her fifteen-year freelance writing career as a monthly personal finance columnist for Cosmopolitan magazine, and has written for over fifteen publications, including Glamour, Self, Working Woman, Victoria. Her first novel, The Dressmaker, was published by Henry Holt & Co. in 2006, with a paperback Picador publication in 2007. It has been published in England in two versions, in Germany and in Russia. Her novel, The Runaway Wife, will be published by Harper Collins in July. She lives in New York City.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews
December 1, 2023
I don't know how to describe this book by Elizabeth Birkelund but I found myself crying and laughing all the time. I was brought up by reading all the poetic poems especially one of the first ones that were described into how lovely they were in transcribing how love was brought into being. Ilse Erlund was a women in her 30's that was a translator in English, French, Danish, and Greenlandic. She was wanting to go to France to translate for a French Poet and landed into a family crises. Which came in the form of the Poets son. She went there and fell in love with the color of France in the summer and the people. She was there for four weeks which got into another two weeks and then another two weeks. What she got into was translating the French Poets thoughts as intricately with the feeling which had been missing to date. But what had happened was she fell in love with the Poet's son until he was truthful and told her he was being married to the daughter of Ilse's boss. She was pregnant with his child. I'll let you finish reading the book, but you'll be a softy like me and cry and laugh reading the book. I think it is wonderful in it's concept of love.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
April 14, 2024One of my favorite parts of NYC are the chance encounters that can only happen in a city of nine million people.
My mom and I were waiting in line for a table at @bibliotequenyc and she, being the social butterfly that she is, struck up a conversation with the woman waiting in front of us in line. This happened to be the author @elizabethbirkelund, who was there because she was preparing for her upcoming book launch party which was being hosted there. After learning this, my mom (as moms do) bragged about my bookstagram and Elizabeth kindly offered me an ARC copy of A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVIDENCE, which I finished in one sitting.
This book follows a woman who lives in Greenland but has become a successful translator for French books, despite never having been to France. She is given an opportunity to take a trip to France and translate a book of poetry written by the “last troubadour of France”. She finds her life torn between the family, friends, and country she has always known, and a new land that she has fallen in love with.
Because I read primarily SFF, this was out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad that I read this book. The prose was lyrical, but not overwritten, and did a brilliant job of gripping your emotions from the very beginning. Speaking of emotions, it was also an emotional roller coaster. You will feel everything from joy to horror to deep grief.
What I loved most about this book, though, is that it felt like a love letter to books and language. If you are a fantasy reader who liked BABEL, this might be a great choice if you also want to try something that is literary fiction instead. I loved the discussions about the subtleties of language in translation, and how difficult it can be for a translator to stay true to the original text when some words, feelings, or phrases cannot be translated directly.
While my feelings are positive overall, there is one section that I believe could have benefitted immensely with a sensitivity read. There is one scene where the main character is looking at a portrait of another character’s mother. The mother is northern African (I don’t have access to the book as I am writing this and I can’t remember specifically which country she was from - I apologize!) and the main character describes her as “exotic”. We have heard time and time again from BIPOC women that they do not like being described as exotic, and this was surprising/jarring to find in a book that was both written and set in the present. Removing this description would have had no material impact on any part of the book and could have easily been substituted with any number of adjectives related to beauty.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for giving me the opportunity to read this book! A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVIDENCE is out on May 21!
My mom and I were waiting in line for a table at @bibliotequenyc and she, being the social butterfly that she is, struck up a conversation with the woman waiting in front of us in line. This happened to be the author @elizabethbirkelund, who was there because she was preparing for her upcoming book launch party which was being hosted there. After learning this, my mom (as moms do) bragged about my bookstagram and Elizabeth kindly offered me an ARC copy of A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVIDENCE, which I finished in one sitting.
This book follows a woman who lives in Greenland but has become a successful translator for French books, despite never having been to France. She is given an opportunity to take a trip to France and translate a book of poetry written by the “last troubadour of France”. She finds her life torn between the family, friends, and country she has always known, and a new land that she has fallen in love with.
Because I read primarily SFF, this was out of my comfort zone, but I am so glad that I read this book. The prose was lyrical, but not overwritten, and did a brilliant job of gripping your emotions from the very beginning. Speaking of emotions, it was also an emotional roller coaster. You will feel everything from joy to horror to deep grief.
What I loved most about this book, though, is that it felt like a love letter to books and language. If you are a fantasy reader who liked BABEL, this might be a great choice if you also want to try something that is literary fiction instead. I loved the discussions about the subtleties of language in translation, and how difficult it can be for a translator to stay true to the original text when some words, feelings, or phrases cannot be translated directly.
While my feelings are positive overall, there is one section that I believe could have benefitted immensely with a sensitivity read. There is one scene where the main character is looking at a portrait of another character’s mother. The mother is northern African (I don’t have access to the book as I am writing this and I can’t remember specifically which country she was from - I apologize!) and the main character describes her as “exotic”. We have heard time and time again from BIPOC women that they do not like being described as exotic, and this was surprising/jarring to find in a book that was both written and set in the present. Removing this description would have had no material impact on any part of the book and could have easily been substituted with any number of adjectives related to beauty.
Thank you so much, Elizabeth, for giving me the opportunity to read this book! A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVIDENCE is out on May 21!
August 8, 2024
A Northern Light in Provence is a beautifully tender love story, but so much more than that. It's empathetic yet fantastical, charming yet heartbreaking as we watch the main character go through so many emotions to not only discover herself, but to find her true way in life, release her fears and find happiness, something I think we can agree is what we all truly are looking for.
Ilse Erlund is a book translator who lives in Greenland. She lives in a very small town, loves her little house, her cat and loves her job, although her parents are not happy with her decision of career, but tries to ignore them. Although she could do without the bitter cold winters, she feels she has a pretty good life.
She knows her publisher takes advantage of her because she just never learned to say no or ask for what she wants or needs, like extra time or extra money. Her goal in life is to try and make everybody happy. Also, she fears they will fire her. Not because they really will, but because she thinks they will.
When the publisher gives her a new assignment, one she is not sure she is capable of doing, everything changes. She is requested to translate poems in French, a language she knows well. The poet is Geoffrey "Po" Labaye and he is revered. She is excited yet nervous and feels she can't do this alone without his guidance. So, she boldly asks if she could go to France, meet with him so he can assist with the translation. To her shock, he agrees.
Thus begins Ilse's journey of a lifetime which will unknowingly change her in more ways than she could imagine. Once there and meeting Po, a wonderful old soul who takes her under his wing where she becomes his muse to him, her teacher. When his son, Frey suddenly appears, that too will change Isle's life in another way. Between the splendor of the setting, dear people she has befriended, she's not sure she ever wants to go home.
As Ilse battles tough decisions, she begins to realize there is so much more to life with family, friends, and love. She may have always just taken these for granted. As she finds her voice, she feels the strength begin to feed her, just as her love of the French food and wine did. Just as Po and his merry band of friends did. But it's time to go home. She has changed. What does that mean? Who is she now?
A Northern Light in Provence is so much more than just a love story between two people. It's a story about loss, reconnecting, growing, losing and finding one's voice, not just on paper but in life. That is really home.
Thank you #NetGalley #Ballentine/RandomHouse #ElizabethBirkelund #ANorthernLightinProvence for the advanced copy.
Ilse Erlund is a book translator who lives in Greenland. She lives in a very small town, loves her little house, her cat and loves her job, although her parents are not happy with her decision of career, but tries to ignore them. Although she could do without the bitter cold winters, she feels she has a pretty good life.
She knows her publisher takes advantage of her because she just never learned to say no or ask for what she wants or needs, like extra time or extra money. Her goal in life is to try and make everybody happy. Also, she fears they will fire her. Not because they really will, but because she thinks they will.
When the publisher gives her a new assignment, one she is not sure she is capable of doing, everything changes. She is requested to translate poems in French, a language she knows well. The poet is Geoffrey "Po" Labaye and he is revered. She is excited yet nervous and feels she can't do this alone without his guidance. So, she boldly asks if she could go to France, meet with him so he can assist with the translation. To her shock, he agrees.
Thus begins Ilse's journey of a lifetime which will unknowingly change her in more ways than she could imagine. Once there and meeting Po, a wonderful old soul who takes her under his wing where she becomes his muse to him, her teacher. When his son, Frey suddenly appears, that too will change Isle's life in another way. Between the splendor of the setting, dear people she has befriended, she's not sure she ever wants to go home.
As Ilse battles tough decisions, she begins to realize there is so much more to life with family, friends, and love. She may have always just taken these for granted. As she finds her voice, she feels the strength begin to feed her, just as her love of the French food and wine did. Just as Po and his merry band of friends did. But it's time to go home. She has changed. What does that mean? Who is she now?
A Northern Light in Provence is so much more than just a love story between two people. It's a story about loss, reconnecting, growing, losing and finding one's voice, not just on paper but in life. That is really home.
Thank you #NetGalley #Ballentine/RandomHouse #ElizabethBirkelund #ANorthernLightinProvence for the advanced copy.
January 6, 2024
Beautifully written, this is a wonderful story which hits all the marks of a heartwarming romance.
Ilse Erlund lives in a small cottage in Greenland north of the Artic Circle where there is frequent downpours of rain and bitter winds. It requires several layers of clothes even while she sleeps. There is danger where she lives with floating sheets of ice and the sea rising which is practically on her door step.
Yet, she dismisses the extreme cold when she is enjoying the beauty of the northern lights, stunning rainbows and watching the humpback whales. She lives with an adoring cat while translating books from English to French or French to English.
While she has received praise for her work, she has never translated a poem and never been to France – which has been a faraway dream until now. She will be under a strict deadline of 2 ½ months to translate a collection of poems. Ilse convinces her publisher to send her to Provence for two weeks so she can meet with the poet and understand his feelings and thoughts. She is ecstatic.
France is a large culture shock and she stumbles but manages just fine. It feels like a travel journey of sorts with the adventure as she finds herself eating warm rolls and magnificent food and drinks. Then it turns into a love story with unexpected twists.
The book is filled with tender poems that come from the heart and make you pause. The poet goes by: Po. He’s an older man but has a way of bringing new experiences to her that helps her to translate his work perfectly.
There was much to love: the characters, the original plot and the easy flow of the words. I thought I could predict what would happen. I was surprised by the ending. It’s satisfying in its own way.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 21, 2024.
Ilse Erlund lives in a small cottage in Greenland north of the Artic Circle where there is frequent downpours of rain and bitter winds. It requires several layers of clothes even while she sleeps. There is danger where she lives with floating sheets of ice and the sea rising which is practically on her door step.
Yet, she dismisses the extreme cold when she is enjoying the beauty of the northern lights, stunning rainbows and watching the humpback whales. She lives with an adoring cat while translating books from English to French or French to English.
While she has received praise for her work, she has never translated a poem and never been to France – which has been a faraway dream until now. She will be under a strict deadline of 2 ½ months to translate a collection of poems. Ilse convinces her publisher to send her to Provence for two weeks so she can meet with the poet and understand his feelings and thoughts. She is ecstatic.
France is a large culture shock and she stumbles but manages just fine. It feels like a travel journey of sorts with the adventure as she finds herself eating warm rolls and magnificent food and drinks. Then it turns into a love story with unexpected twists.
The book is filled with tender poems that come from the heart and make you pause. The poet goes by: Po. He’s an older man but has a way of bringing new experiences to her that helps her to translate his work perfectly.
There was much to love: the characters, the original plot and the easy flow of the words. I thought I could predict what would happen. I was surprised by the ending. It’s satisfying in its own way.
My thanks to Ballantine Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of May 21, 2024.
February 29, 2024
Every so often, you open a book and it causes you to forget to breathe. Some alchemy of the author's devotion to craft and beauty and the sheer love of a particular place transforms words into a real, concrete experience. And within a page or two, your heart is compressed so tight, it’s sending signals to your brain that are one half “What just happened?” and one half “You must go experience this for yourself.”
That’s what happened to me in the opening pages of Elizabeth Berkelund’s A Northern Light in Provence. I don’t believe I have ever once considered Greenland as a place I might want to visit, but there I was, gasping for breath and thinking, “And this book is supposed to be about a person going to France. Oh, I can’t *wait* to see how the rest of this book unfolds.”
Ilse’s story begins at the edge of the sea, in a house on stilts, where she is cold and absorbed in her work as a translator of literature. When she gets the chance to translate poetry by the Last Living Troubador of Provence, she decides to go for broke and ask for a trip to Provence to meet with him and absorb the atmosphere.
She leaves one cast of colorful characters behind and falls headlong into another group, distinct and charming in a whole different way, living in another place of exquisite beauty. This is a book that defies genre conventions; it’s a testament to the author’s vision that I wasn’t really sure where she’d end up or who she’d be with by the end. I don't want to spoil anything, so let's just say that not one word in this book goes to waste; everything you see, you will see again, and in a way you didn't expect. Ilse's was a journey I loved from beginning to end. I was sorry to see it end.
That’s what happened to me in the opening pages of Elizabeth Berkelund’s A Northern Light in Provence. I don’t believe I have ever once considered Greenland as a place I might want to visit, but there I was, gasping for breath and thinking, “And this book is supposed to be about a person going to France. Oh, I can’t *wait* to see how the rest of this book unfolds.”
Ilse’s story begins at the edge of the sea, in a house on stilts, where she is cold and absorbed in her work as a translator of literature. When she gets the chance to translate poetry by the Last Living Troubador of Provence, she decides to go for broke and ask for a trip to Provence to meet with him and absorb the atmosphere.
She leaves one cast of colorful characters behind and falls headlong into another group, distinct and charming in a whole different way, living in another place of exquisite beauty. This is a book that defies genre conventions; it’s a testament to the author’s vision that I wasn’t really sure where she’d end up or who she’d be with by the end. I don't want to spoil anything, so let's just say that not one word in this book goes to waste; everything you see, you will see again, and in a way you didn't expect. Ilse's was a journey I loved from beginning to end. I was sorry to see it end.
February 1, 2024
Ilse is a translator who lives a very insular life in Greenland. When she gets the opportunity to visit France for the first time, her world broadens in many ways.
Some of the story felt haphazard or rushed. I'm not sure what the ultimate message was, because the shift at the end confused me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.
Some of the story felt haphazard or rushed. I'm not sure what the ultimate message was, because the shift at the end confused me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.
June 1, 2024
This is a lovely, entertaining, romantic, thoughtful book about Ilse, a translator, who has lived all her life in Greenland. She has translated many books into several different languages, but has never left her homeland of Greenland.
Then, opportunity knocks -- Ilse loves the French language and is asked to travel to Provence to meet and work with a famous elderly poet who is coming out with a special edition of, what will turn out to be, his last book.
Ilse falls in love with Provence and its beautiful language. She also loves Po, the poet, and they develop a special relationship as she learns more about herself and what she wants out of life. Does she want to spend the rest of her life in cold, icy Greenland, or would a move to warm, colorful, soothing Provence be what she needs?
Then, Ilse meets Po’s son, Frey, which provides another set of questions for her to think about, and decisions must be made -- but which way will she decide to go?
This author does an excellent job of describing Greenland and its menacing weather and landscape, but the people are so warm and wonderful. They are her family. She does an equally gifted job of giving the reader the feeling of being in Provence and experiencing the sights and smells of the beautiful area. And the people Ilse meets are the beginning of a new family. She has a lot to think about!
I really enjoyed this one. The story was compelling, and the writing made me feel like I was “there,” experiencing whatever Ilse was experiencing, wherever she was. I highly recommend it!
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Elizabeth Birkelund, and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
Then, opportunity knocks -- Ilse loves the French language and is asked to travel to Provence to meet and work with a famous elderly poet who is coming out with a special edition of, what will turn out to be, his last book.
Ilse falls in love with Provence and its beautiful language. She also loves Po, the poet, and they develop a special relationship as she learns more about herself and what she wants out of life. Does she want to spend the rest of her life in cold, icy Greenland, or would a move to warm, colorful, soothing Provence be what she needs?
Then, Ilse meets Po’s son, Frey, which provides another set of questions for her to think about, and decisions must be made -- but which way will she decide to go?
This author does an excellent job of describing Greenland and its menacing weather and landscape, but the people are so warm and wonderful. They are her family. She does an equally gifted job of giving the reader the feeling of being in Provence and experiencing the sights and smells of the beautiful area. And the people Ilse meets are the beginning of a new family. She has a lot to think about!
I really enjoyed this one. The story was compelling, and the writing made me feel like I was “there,” experiencing whatever Ilse was experiencing, wherever she was. I highly recommend it!
I’d like to thank NetGalley, Elizabeth Birkelund, and Ballantine Books for the advanced reader's copy in exchange for my unbiased review.
August 14, 2024
A sweet little gem!
August 1, 2024
im disappointed
May 6, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.
Beautiful prose, a soft love story, human connection; A Northern Light in Provence has all of that and more. Ilse, a native Greenlander, who works as a translator and has never left Greenland, and longs for more in the world. Isle has never traveled outside of her comforting, yet cold, home of Greenland. So, to travel to Provencal France to help translate a work of poetry seems like a dream come true. Along the way she learns how to live, how to love, how to see things for what they are, and who she is.
Did I cry at the end of this book? Yes, and at points throughout it as well. I really cannot express how beautifully Birkelund writes, I was captured by her flow of sentences and story development. That said, there were moments in the book that felt rushed, too cliché, and a little fabricated. Though, this was not frequent. I think I did not enjoy the rush at which Po’s life changed, the character of Frey (although I see his value in story development), nor some of the choppiness of scene changes. Although this is definitely a, “me problem”, I did not necessarily enjoy the third person writing… Ilse’s name was mentioned too many times for my taste and it made me feel like I was watching her, not experiencing what she experienced. However, it could also be argued that this was a writing technique that was intended. Overall, I enjoyed my reading experience throughout and thought it was a beautifully curated book.
Would I Recommend: Yes, I would recommend this to most people who enjoy slow love stories, self-discovery, travel, and rich prose.
3.5 Stars
Beautiful prose, a soft love story, human connection; A Northern Light in Provence has all of that and more. Ilse, a native Greenlander, who works as a translator and has never left Greenland, and longs for more in the world. Isle has never traveled outside of her comforting, yet cold, home of Greenland. So, to travel to Provencal France to help translate a work of poetry seems like a dream come true. Along the way she learns how to live, how to love, how to see things for what they are, and who she is.
Did I cry at the end of this book? Yes, and at points throughout it as well. I really cannot express how beautifully Birkelund writes, I was captured by her flow of sentences and story development. That said, there were moments in the book that felt rushed, too cliché, and a little fabricated. Though, this was not frequent. I think I did not enjoy the rush at which Po’s life changed, the character of Frey (although I see his value in story development), nor some of the choppiness of scene changes. Although this is definitely a, “me problem”, I did not necessarily enjoy the third person writing… Ilse’s name was mentioned too many times for my taste and it made me feel like I was watching her, not experiencing what she experienced. However, it could also be argued that this was a writing technique that was intended. Overall, I enjoyed my reading experience throughout and thought it was a beautifully curated book.
Would I Recommend: Yes, I would recommend this to most people who enjoy slow love stories, self-discovery, travel, and rich prose.
3.5 Stars
April 21, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. It was a very comforting, emotional book.
Ilse is born and raised in the very hostile environment of Greenland. Living a good, but somewhat complacent life. Translating French words to English and Greenlandic. She has good friends and family, a good life, but dreams of her time to come to visit her beloved France. When the opportunity arises, she jumps on it, which begins the story of a love of place and people, that the author does such a great job making you feel those connections.
This book completely transports you to the icy, dangerous shores of Greenland to the warm, sunny skies of Provence. When the author was describing each place, I could feel the cold or the warmth, it was described so well. I have not read a book that is focused on a translator, and I really found that aspect of it very intriguing.
At times it felt a bit rushed to me in regards to the romance, and Po’s condition. But it wasn’t enough to make me dislike the book at all.
I thought that the ending was really well done, and I would absolutely recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballentine Books for this e-ARC.
Ilse is born and raised in the very hostile environment of Greenland. Living a good, but somewhat complacent life. Translating French words to English and Greenlandic. She has good friends and family, a good life, but dreams of her time to come to visit her beloved France. When the opportunity arises, she jumps on it, which begins the story of a love of place and people, that the author does such a great job making you feel those connections.
This book completely transports you to the icy, dangerous shores of Greenland to the warm, sunny skies of Provence. When the author was describing each place, I could feel the cold or the warmth, it was described so well. I have not read a book that is focused on a translator, and I really found that aspect of it very intriguing.
At times it felt a bit rushed to me in regards to the romance, and Po’s condition. But it wasn’t enough to make me dislike the book at all.
I thought that the ending was really well done, and I would absolutely recommend this book.
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing- Ballentine Books for this e-ARC.
May 20, 2024
A Northern Light in Provence was an absolutely delightful surprise. I was lost in and enchanted by the Provence of this book. I found so many aspects of this book interesting: a glimpse into the life of a translator; what it might be like to live in Greenland (definitely not for me); traveling to Provence and falling in love with life; a taste of the Provençal language; the journey of self-discovery; a book about books. Po, the poet whose book Ilse is translating, is both a character and a setting and is larger than life. He speaks so beautifully and so poetically that it makes me want to read his fictional book of poetry! This book has been added to my favorites list and I imagine it will be one that I return to.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
July 20, 2024
What a lovely book! Words have always fascinated me, so reading about this translator living in these two disparate worlds trying to find the right words was perfect. Both Greenland and Provence were places I enjoyed reading about, and Ilse was the right character to narrate me through the beauty of them.
December 10, 2024
2.5 ⭐
A little bland, much too long and I didn't like the narrative voice much.
Just not for me 🤷♀️
A little bland, much too long and I didn't like the narrative voice much.
Just not for me 🤷♀️
February 6, 2024
I would like to first thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group — Ballantine Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review. I greatly appreciate it!
This book came to me precisely when I needed it the most. I saw so much of myself in llse Erlund. Women are expected to marry and have children at an early age, and if not, there’s a sense of disappointment from the community or family or both. This book, however, reminded me that there’s more to a legacy, to a life—more to being a woman—than just having children. "A Northern Light in Provence" is simply a beautiful book, one that literally made me laugh and cry (for minutes!). It reminds one of where “home” truly is (in spite of the hardships from outside forces) and the kind of love that is true and genuine. There’s so many other points that I’d love to share, but it would ultimately spoil the magic of this book. Buy it upon release! You won’t be sorry!
This book came to me precisely when I needed it the most. I saw so much of myself in llse Erlund. Women are expected to marry and have children at an early age, and if not, there’s a sense of disappointment from the community or family or both. This book, however, reminded me that there’s more to a legacy, to a life—more to being a woman—than just having children. "A Northern Light in Provence" is simply a beautiful book, one that literally made me laugh and cry (for minutes!). It reminds one of where “home” truly is (in spite of the hardships from outside forces) and the kind of love that is true and genuine. There’s so many other points that I’d love to share, but it would ultimately spoil the magic of this book. Buy it upon release! You won’t be sorry!
December 19, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️- {A NORTHERN LIGHT IN PROVENCE -Elizabeth Birkelund}
The landscapes of this novel are the true star. I felt genuinely transported to the luscious vineyards and sun warmed streets of Provence as well as to Greenlands isolated wet lands and melting icebergs. Romance and poetry flow through the pages as the main character Ilse experiences intellectual love, passionate love, and an unwavering love all in a matter of months. She finds her true self while translating the poems of a famous elderly poet known as the “last true troubadour of Provence” and lives along side him, his many dogs, vintage wines and love for the spoken word. If your looking to immerse yourself in a charming French village and fall in love with its cast of characters this book will take you there!
Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
The landscapes of this novel are the true star. I felt genuinely transported to the luscious vineyards and sun warmed streets of Provence as well as to Greenlands isolated wet lands and melting icebergs. Romance and poetry flow through the pages as the main character Ilse experiences intellectual love, passionate love, and an unwavering love all in a matter of months. She finds her true self while translating the poems of a famous elderly poet known as the “last true troubadour of Provence” and lives along side him, his many dogs, vintage wines and love for the spoken word. If your looking to immerse yourself in a charming French village and fall in love with its cast of characters this book will take you there!
Thanks to @netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
June 18, 2024
This lyrically written book is truly unique in the author’s ability to paint such detailed pictures of the dual settings, as well as feature the depth of emotions of the main character. Ilse is a translator, living in Greenland, translating French books into Danish and English. When Ilse gets the opportunity to leave her cold, wet home to translate a famous poets work in the Luberon area of Provence, filled with warmth and color, Ilse jumps at the opportunity. The poet’s work is renowned, and Ilse becomes close to him as she tries to find words reflecting his troubadour style. I loved the book and highly recommend it. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
May 19, 2025
2.5 im being generous the ending saved it
i felt such rage reading the entire middle half of the book anytime frey was on my page & it wasn't until the 3rd act switch up that i began to enjoy the book again but it wasn't what i expected & ultimately not for me.
EDIT: giving it a 3 bcuz despite not liking some of the plot choices - it was beautifully written
i felt such rage reading the entire middle half of the book anytime frey was on my page & it wasn't until the 3rd act switch up that i began to enjoy the book again but it wasn't what i expected & ultimately not for me.
EDIT: giving it a 3 bcuz despite not liking some of the plot choices - it was beautifully written
May 29, 2024
Ilse Ecklund works as a translator from a cottage on the coast of Greenland. When she gets the opportunity to translate the poetry of a famous French poet, she accepts with the stipulation that she is sent to France to meet him and translate his work in person.
Ilse had never been anywhere but Greenland, so the beautiful colors along the coast of France were a big part of her awakening to a wider world. Along with that and meeting the poet, Geoffrey, and later his son Frey, the ice in Isle begins to thaw and she becomes open to love in a way she had never realized.
This is no coming of age story, but it is one in which a young woman discovers who she is and what she wants from life. Readers are privy to her relationships with the people in her life, both in Greenland and France, and each location offers her a sense of home.
When she is confronted with making a life altering decision, Ilse considers the places and the people she has grown to love and makes that decision with her heart.
The story had a great sense of place, both in France and Greenland, adding customs from each so readers can feel as if they are actually in Ilse’s shoes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I loved the book and am happy to offer my honest review and recommend this to readers.
Ilse had never been anywhere but Greenland, so the beautiful colors along the coast of France were a big part of her awakening to a wider world. Along with that and meeting the poet, Geoffrey, and later his son Frey, the ice in Isle begins to thaw and she becomes open to love in a way she had never realized.
This is no coming of age story, but it is one in which a young woman discovers who she is and what she wants from life. Readers are privy to her relationships with the people in her life, both in Greenland and France, and each location offers her a sense of home.
When she is confronted with making a life altering decision, Ilse considers the places and the people she has grown to love and makes that decision with her heart.
The story had a great sense of place, both in France and Greenland, adding customs from each so readers can feel as if they are actually in Ilse’s shoes.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. I loved the book and am happy to offer my honest review and recommend this to readers.
May 2, 2024
I think this is the first book set in Greenland I have ever read. I loved the landscape descriptions and place setting Birkelund does, but I found myself antsy to get to the Provenance and for the action to start in the book. The use of language was incredible, but it took too long for things to happen and I didn't love the third person narration. If you are looking for a slower read focused on place and language this might be for you.
Thank you to Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the advanced ready copy.
Thank you to Netgalley & Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Ballantine Books for the advanced ready copy.
dnf
June 3, 2024DNFing @ 31%. While there are some fascinating elements (Ilse's life in Greenland), I found the overall tone leaning a touch too far into sentimentality for my liking, and Ilse herself tiresome in her naivete. I don't see this book being more than a 3-star Meh read for me, so I'm bowing out early.
June 12, 2024
Wonderful book with travel , emotion , love triangles and friendship. This book explores relationship and passion in different forms - parental , friend , lover .
The mixing in of poetry and French language was such an added treat .
I absolutely adored this book .
The mixing in of poetry and French language was such an added treat .
I absolutely adored this book .
June 25, 2024
DNF
The first part set in Greenland was so depressing. And then even once Ilse got to Provence, I just wasn’t invested in her character. Tried to read for a few chapters just for glimpses of Provençal life, but too much of a struggle for me.
The first part set in Greenland was so depressing. And then even once Ilse got to Provence, I just wasn’t invested in her character. Tried to read for a few chapters just for glimpses of Provençal life, but too much of a struggle for me.
May 7, 2025
This is almost a perfect book for me - vivid descriptions of Greenland and Provence, romance, wonderful character arcs. I tried to savor it but I was up most of the night reading it, it was so wonderful.
September 11, 2024
I finally got really into the story at about 150 pages in. It was slow moving in the beginning, and all of the description of each place and person introduced made it a longer read.
July 6, 2025
Ilse’s new journey in life has been changed with decisions that has left her with choices that are hard to decide! This is a love story and great book!!!
August 10, 2024
Two very different settings, Greenland and the south of France, along with the unusual occupation of the main character, a translator, give this otherwise predictable love story a bit of oomph.
May 1, 2025
Translator Ilse learns she doesn’t have to separate herself from the world.
May 19, 2024
“He turns toward her suddenly and hugs her, and rather than feeling awkward, it’s as if he’s brought her into a safe resting place where no harm can reach her. ‘You see,’ he says, still in the hug, ‘we didn’t meet by coincidence.’”
Isle, a translator and lover of languages, lives in isolation on the coast of Greenland. When accepting the job of translating the poetry by a famous poet, she travels to Provence, France to immerse herself in the culture. After arriving, she becomes captivated by the charming poet and his words. She falls in love with the colors, sounds, and smells in Provence. When the poet fall ill, she extends her to stay to help care for him. After weeks in France, she must make a decision that will affect her entire future. Will she stay in the beautiful country of France or return to the isolation and comfort of her home in Greenland?
The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. The description of the people and places is unlike anything I’ve read in a long time. The author makes you feel as though you are actually in the gorgeous settings of both France and Greenland.
This book started out a little slow but picked up a quarter of the way through. I wanted there to be more consistency in the length of the chapters. Some were pretty short, and some were much longer. I also thought the ending was a little rushed, and I would have loved to hear more.
Overall, this book was well written. It had a different plot than anything I’ve read recently. There was also great character development, especially with the main character, Ilse. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, found family, self discovery, poetry, beautiful settings, and languages.
Isle, a translator and lover of languages, lives in isolation on the coast of Greenland. When accepting the job of translating the poetry by a famous poet, she travels to Provence, France to immerse herself in the culture. After arriving, she becomes captivated by the charming poet and his words. She falls in love with the colors, sounds, and smells in Provence. When the poet fall ill, she extends her to stay to help care for him. After weeks in France, she must make a decision that will affect her entire future. Will she stay in the beautiful country of France or return to the isolation and comfort of her home in Greenland?
The writing in this book is absolutely beautiful. The description of the people and places is unlike anything I’ve read in a long time. The author makes you feel as though you are actually in the gorgeous settings of both France and Greenland.
This book started out a little slow but picked up a quarter of the way through. I wanted there to be more consistency in the length of the chapters. Some were pretty short, and some were much longer. I also thought the ending was a little rushed, and I would have loved to hear more.
Overall, this book was well written. It had a different plot than anything I’ve read recently. There was also great character development, especially with the main character, Ilse. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves romance, found family, self discovery, poetry, beautiful settings, and languages.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 215 reviews