I Remember

by NoelleHarrison (Author)

• Used

  Paperback
  2008

  $138.28

  This is a wonderfully evocative and atmospheric novel from the author of A Small Part Of Me .It is 1985, and John and Olivia Finch employ Barbara as an au pair to their only child, Matilda - whose seemingly continual illnesses encourage her spoilt and demanding behaviour. When Barbara accompanies the family on their summer holiday to Olivia's native Camargue in the South of France, with its famous white horses, black bulls and pink flamingos, she's conscious that all is not as it seems. As the days go by, she becomes more and more convinced that there is something odd about Matilda's illness - is it possible that one of her parents is intentionally causing her ill health?Olivia's brother, Pascal, the enigmatic 'gardien' cowboy of the Camargue, could be the one to help her. He has awakened in Barbara a sense of her own sexuality - but is he someone she could trust to help her save Matilda? As she sees the child grow weaker, Barbara's dreams are haunted by a tragic accident within her own family for which she has always blamed herself. Miraculously, it is Matilda who finally offers her redemption encouraging her to take drastic but necessary action.

• Used

  Paperback
  2009

  $3.35

  Now she is eighteen, Barbara leaves home in Ireland hoping to escape from the memory of the tragic death of her little brother, and begin a new life as an au pair in London looking after young Matilda Finch. Almost as soon as she arrives in London, the family announce they are off to the Camargue in France for the summer taking Barbara with them. She is soon aware that she is one of a long string of au pairs and that the Finch family has problems: Olivia is beautiful but brittle; her husband John stiflingly affable, and their daughter is constantly ill. Over the summer, Barbara's sexuality is awakened by someone who leads her to believe that she could be falling in love for the first time. Yet when she confides her doubts about the Finches, she realises she has illuminated issues far beyond her own understanding, and that the consequences will be devastating.Set in the eerie salt marshes of southern France, inhabited by the famous white horses, flamingos and black bulls, I Remember is a remarkable story of deception, passion and ultimate redemption.