Winter Flowers

Toussaint Caillet returns home to his wife and daughter after spending two years at a military hospital. Jeanne must struggle to endure his absence and the hardships of war, but his return marks the beginning of a new battle as they try to stitch together a new life from the tatters of what they had before.

Format: Paperback / softback
Publication date: 21 February 2021
Publisher: Peirene Press Ltd

It is October 1918, and the war is drawing to a close. Toussaint Caillet returns home to his wife, Jeanne, and the young daughter he has not seen growing up. He is not coming back from the front line but from the department for facial injuries at Val-de-Grace military hospital, where he has spent the last two years. For Jeanne, who has struggled to endure his absence and the hardships of war, her husband's return marks the beginning of a new battle. With the promise of peace now in sight, the family must try to stitch together a new life from the tatters of what they had before.

Toussaint Caillet, a soldier returning from the front lines of World War I, arrives at his home in Paris after spending two years in a military hospital. His wife, Jeanne, and their young daughter, whom he has never met, eagerly await his return. However, Toussaint's homecoming is not without its challenges. He has suffered severe facial injuries during the war, leaving him disfigured and scarred. Jeanne is initially overwhelmed by the sight of her husband, but she soon realizes that his presence brings a sense of relief and hope to their family.

As the war comes to an end, the Caillets begin to rebuild their lives. Toussaint, who was a skilled artist before the war, tries to regain his sense of identity and purpose by painting. Jeanne, who had been working as a nurse during the conflict, takes on a new role as a homemaker, nurturing their daughter and supporting her husband in his artistic endeavors.

Despite the challenges they face, the Caillets are determined to create a happy and fulfilling life for themselves. They rely on the support of their family and friends, and they take advantage of the opportunities that come their way. Toussaint's paintings gain recognition, and he even exhibits his work in galleries. Jeanne becomes involved in community activities and volunteers at a local hospital.

As time passes, the Caillets begin to feel the weight of the past. Toussaint struggles with his memories of the war and the injuries he sustained. Jeanne, too, carries the scars of the war, both physical and emotional. However, they remain strong and resilient, and they continue to support each other through thick and thin.

In the years that follow, the Caillets grow old together. They watch their daughter grow up and start her own family. They celebrate their wedding anniversaries and birthdays, and they take trips and vacations to commemorate their memories. Despite the passing of time, their love for each other remains strong, and they continue to be each other's rock.

Toussaint Caillet's return home in October 1918 marks the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. It is a chapter filled with challenges, but also with hope and determination. Through their love and support for each other, the Caillets are able to rebuild their lives and create a happy and fulfilling future. Their story is a testament to the power of resilience and the strength of the human spirit.

Dimension: 198 x 125 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781908670670