Des grives aux loups

Saga des Vialhe #1

by Claude Michelet

The railway brings new ideas as well as new profits and the Vialhe family is torn apart by the clash of the old and the new as the younger generation rebels against old autocratic ways. then the Great War of 1914 erupts. Can the viahle family survive and safeguard their beloved land against the madness of the decade?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Roman, France, Agriculture

377 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 1979

Reviews

[Yas · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
جلد اول مجموعه خاندان ویال-

[Elaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting read, encompassing many themes. Firstly we have the evocation of a small rural village and farming environment at the turn of the century in France. The usual tensions and feuds take place-neighbours falling out, families becoming alienated.The focus is on the Vialhe family, one of the most traditionally patriarchical families in the locale. The father's attitude progressively alieanates him from his children-all of whom leave. As the years go by, we have the advent of WW1, in which Pierre, the son serves, along with the rest of the youths from the village. The outside world begins to play a larger part,and changes will clearly start to make themselves felt in the community.Some of the best chapters deal simply with the evocation of the countryside, and the hardships it brings. The relationships beween the main characters is also well explored-lots of tragedies, but with glimmers of hope and positive feelings for the future. The novel ends at a crucial juncture, thereby setting the scene for the next in the series, "Applewood", which covers the post war years until the 1970s. This may be too wide a canvas for my taste, but I'll be reading it! Michelet is a talented author who really can impart a real flavour of place and time.

[Montanna Wildhack · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 en effet. c'était bon. le genre de livre qu'on trouverait dans un cours de littérature francaise, et que plus jeune, j'aurais trouvé hyper ennuyant. mais, plus vielle, plus sage?, ca m'intéressait de savoir comment le monde vivait à l'époche. en plus, ca faisait un bon parallèle avec l'émission anglaise 'downton abbey' - même époche, 'downton' conte la vie des riches en angleterre,, tandis que 'des grives' conte la vie des pauvres en france.

[Plume 5085]

Voyage dans la Corrèze auprès d'une famille aux relations complexes emplies de réalisme. Le travail sur les personnages est précis et l'intrigue, placée dans un village d'agriculteurs, s'élabore autour de la révolution technologique du début du 20e siècle et la première guerre mondiale sans qu'elles prennent le dessus toutefois sur l'expérience de la ruralité qui est le vrai thème du roman. À travers les naissances dans les fermes, le travail de la terre, les discussions d'auberge, les messes, les élections municipales, et les rivalités entre propriétaires terriens, ce sont les vies et les émotions des vendeurs de bestiaux, des paysans, d'un châtelain respecté, du maire, du curé, des travailleurs de chemin de fer et des femmes au quotidien difficile qui nous sont présentées. Une fresque humaine, géographique et historique à découvrir absolument (et les pages se tournent vraiment toutes seules).

[Antoine Milan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quelle plaisir quand un livre qu’on DOIT lire se transforme en lecture LOISIR

[Jessica Kennedy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda hate almost everyone in this book BUT that doesn’t mean it isn’t a good book! I found it really enlightening and well written and was a really compelling character study. However like I say I hate all of the characters.. except maybe Louise and the other sister I forget her name.. just proves that men have been toxic for hundreds of years!!

[Matti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Firelight and Woodsmoke is a quiet, atmospheric novel that draws its strength from place, tradition, and the steady rhythms of rural life. Claude Michelet’s writing is richly descriptive, bringing the countryside vividly to life and grounding the story in a deep sense of history and community. The novel excels in its portrayal of generational bonds and the enduring connection between people and the land.
While the pacing is deliberate and occasionally slow, it suits the reflective nature of the story and allows the themes to unfold naturally. Character development is subtle rather than dramatic, which may not appeal to all readers but adds to the novel’s authenticity and emotional weight.
Overall, Firelight and Woodsmoke is a thoughtful, immersive read that rewards patience. It is best suited for readers who appreciate character-driven narratives, strong settings, and a contemplative exploration of heritage and belonging.

[Goldenwattle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit slow at first, but soon I was hooked. This goes against the 'show not tell' which is often stated, but here 'tell' works. Life on a farm pre War 1 and then during the war and after. The conflict between an over domineering father and his son. I saw fault on both sides. The father should have been more willing to work with his son and far less dominating, and the son should have accepted the farm wasn't his yet. The result was the father lost all his children. Once of age they left and wanted nothing to do with him, or of their acquiescent mother. This story showed the horrors of war and the changes after. A page turner.

[Noline · Rating 4 out of 5]

J'ai lu ce roman quand j'avais dix ans sous les conseils de mon père. Il l'a adoré adulte tout comme moi je l'ai adoré enfant. Il m'a fait cadeau de souvenirs impérissables et jamais une série de livre ne m'avait autant donné l'impression "d'appartenir" (à l'époque). L'écriture est belle, m'a fait sourire, m'a fait pleurer, m'a fait apprendre. Je ne peux pas dire si c'est très réaliste, je ne m'y connaissais pas assez pour ça. Ce que je peux dire c'est qu'il est le parfait livre de chevet, et ce quelque soit l'âge.

[Lorene Plat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Premier tome d'une quadralogie intitulée "Les gens de Saint-Libéral". On découvre la vie des Vialhe et de leur ferme durant la période de la Première Guerre Mondiale.
C'est ce qu'on appelle un roman du terroir. Ça n'est pas la première fois que je lis cette histoire, je l'ai découverte en primaire et j'ai bien aimé.

Je recommande cette lecture qui nous montre l'évolution de l'agriculture.

[Qmike549]

Claude Michelet a su écrire cette histoire avec brio.

Il est très intéressant de retrouver les moeurs des habitants de campagne à la fin du XIX et au début du XX, l'industrialisation de l'agriculture, l'amour et le respect pour la terre…

Coup de Cœur

[Thomas Lord · Rating 4 out of 5]

My reading has been incredibly slow this year but I did really enjoy this book. A fascinating insight into life in rural France in the first 20 years of the 20th century. Highly recommended and I look forward to reading the other two books of the trilogy.

[Jérôme Fontaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quel plaisir de redécouvrir ce livre après 30 ans.
Une grande tranche de vie au début du XX eme siècle.
Un livre à lire absolument

[Julia Carpenter · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting look at another time and place. I found it compelling enough that I've ordered the other two books in the trilogy.

[Hélène · Rating 5 out of 5]

C'est un très bon livre qui n'a pas de prétention littéraire extraordinaire. J'ai beaucoup aimé le lire et les longues descriptions constituent réellement la valeur de ce livre, l'histoire passe après. Les personnages ont une certaine profondeur, parfois un peu trop stéréotypée. Je pense que c'est un livre abordable pour les adolescents et les adultes que la longueur d'un texte ne rebute pas. J'ai trouvé les passages concernant l'agriculture et la Première guerre Mondiale particulièrement passionnants.

[Carolyn Heinze]

This is - or at least was - high school reading for French students, and any French person I've spoken with groans at the mention of Michelet. I figured I'd give it a shot: you know how high school teachers can ruin a good yarn. But this just made me feel like I was back in the classroom, willing the clock to speed up so I could get back to my locker to flirt with the cute boy three lockers down. It's like the Grapes of Wrath, only in French. Ugh.

[Kristen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book and the other two in the series sweep you into the lives of a rural French family. This is pure escapism through solid writing, into a different place and time.
I wish all of Michelet's books were in English - perhaps I just need to get them in French and read them with a dictionary. Lot of work...

[Jessica J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

adorable

[Lisibo]

really enjoyed this book - look forward to the other ones in the trilogy!

[Ambaz · Rating 5 out of 5]

lovely book!