Publication Date: May 21, 2024
Ilse Erlund is a translator who lives in a house on stilts along the west coast of Greenland. Isolated and restless in her world by the sea, she convinces her publisher to pay for a trip to the country she has never visited but whose language she speaks fluently: France. Her mission is to translate the verses of Geoffrey “Po” Labaye, a charismatic poet known as “the last living troubadour of Provence.”
Upon arrival in the medieval hilltop village of Belle Rivière, Ilse falls under the spell of the Provençal way of life, captivated by the air, the sun, the vibrant spring colors, and the dulcet sounds of the dialect. Soon enough, Ilse is captivated by the poet, too, and she and Po develop a daily rhythm and warm camaraderie—which is disrupted by the arrival of the poet’s son, Frey. Though he has a fiancée back in Paris, Frey turns his attentions to Ilse, and suddenly she is forced to learn another language, one her translation skills have not prepared her to decode. Where—and with whom—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 the possibility of the life of her dreams.
Ilse Erlund leads a cold, isolated life in Greenland, where she translates French texts into Danish or English. The catch? She’s never set foot in France.
Author Elizabeth Birkelund details Ilse’s adventures when she travels to France to work with an esteemed poet. A Northern Light in Provence illustrates France through the eyes of someone who embraces the sun and picturesque landscape.
While there, Ilse experiences a new world where she is charmed by the elderly Monsieur le Poète and enchanted by his soon-to-be-married son. In working with the troubadour, Ilse learns more about her own choices.
Once back home, Ilse faces challenges in determining her fate. Will she choose a new life in France, or will she discover happiness patiently waiting in front of her?
While a bit slow-paced in places, the story’s theme delivers a message of unexpected love. A Northern Light in Provence serves up a fascinating contrast in settings as a woman redefines her future.
Elizabeth Birkelund is the author of two previous novels, The Runaway Wife and The Dressmaker. She started her career in the editorial department of European Travel and Life magazine, then turned to freelance writing as a monthly personal finance columnist for Cosmopolitan. She has written for numerous national publications, including Glamour, Self, Working Woman, and Victoria. You may follow her work and travels on Instagram and Facebook.
