Cirrus@Austlit

'Blossoming Almond Branch in a Glass with a Book is the charming story of Marc Henry, separated from the privileged but demanding life of his father, and Madame Fleur, who operates a boarding house to provide for herself and her son after the death of her husband in the Franco-Prussian War. Inspired by the branch of almond blossoms in a glass that sits on a table in the boarding house, Henry examines his life, his future, and the captivating allure of Madame as she struggles with the difficulties of putting her husband to rest. Inspired by the painting by Vincent Van Gogh, Australian writer Greg Bogaerts tells this story with his usual brilliant development of character and masterful development of plot, further enriched with often-overlooked but enthralling historical snippets about old France.' (Publication summary)