Review: Sun over the Hills – Marie Lacrosse
Sun over the Hills is the third and final part of the historical Vineyardseries written by Marie Lacrosse. The series is set on the Gerban family vineyard in Alsace from 1870 to 1880.
Alsace, 1877. Irene and Franz Gerban are happily married. Yet Irene still does not really feel at home in the higher circles in which Franz in particular moves. Irene feels like an outsider because of her humble origins as a maid. In addition, Irene wants to do more with her time than just take care of the children. In this part Sun over the Hills Irene picks up her main motivation from the second part and actively advocates for the rights of working-class women. Meanwhile, Franz moves on to a different political plane and has to deal with a secret that his mother has harbored for years. All this creates a turbulent time in the Gerban household.
This third part of the Vineyard trilogy, Sun over the Hills, can be read on its own, but it is more pleasant and convenient to read the series in its entirety. There are quite a few characters who have important positions in various places. Important for the story. Lacrosse often goes back to events from the past that have been discussed extensively in the earlier parts. Lacrosse writes in understandable language, she always knows how to use powerful words in her descriptions that are both descriptive but also convey emotions. This third part is also a quick read. A lot is happening on a family level, on the business side of the estate and wine growing, not to forget the political part. This political part is very easy to follow due to Lacrosse’s clear translation of true historical facts. Many characters from the previous parts return and are explored further.
In this third part, Irene fights for women’s rights, while Franz stands up for the state of Alsace-Lorraine. The interests of these two battlegrounds do not always match in a political sense, but they do in terms of the ins and outs of daily life. Here you see the writing talent of Lacrosse, which portrays daily life within the politics of the time. The strong themes in this book are the differences between social class and inequality in working conditions, not to mention the legal difference between men and women.
Close your eyes and sleep well,
Rascals;
My mother is arguing again
outside.
Close your eyes, children. Stay well
healthy;
mother gives a speech, father
his mouth.
(August Bebel – Woman and Socialism)
Marie Lacrosse has this third part Sun over the Hills completed a thorough trilogy about Alsace in the last years of the 19th century, the entire context of living and working at that time in that specific border area between Germany and France. How Lacrosse combines historical facts with her fictional story offers us as readers a great insight into life at that time. This book definitely belongs in the Historical Novel genre and is more than worth reading.
