Jeanne Schultz's La Neuvaine de Colette is a novel that proves you don't need a huge cast or globe-trotting plot to tell a powerful story. Set in a rural French community, it focuses entirely on the moral and emotional crisis of one young woman.

The Story

Colette's younger brother falls dangerously ill. In her fear and helplessness, she turns to the familiar ritual of her faith: she begins a novena, nine days of dedicated prayer. She makes a vow to God, promising to dedicate her life to religious service if her brother is spared. Against all odds, he recovers. Now, Colette is bound by her promise. The story follows her as she grapples with this commitment. It means giving up any chance of a traditional future—marriage, family, a home of her own—to enter a convent. The central tension isn't about whether she'll keep her word, but about the quiet, profound struggle within her as she prepares to leave everything she knows and loves to fulfill a bargain made in a moment of terror.

Why You Should Read It

What struck me most was how Schultz makes Colette's inner world so vivid. This isn't a story about doubting faith, but about the weight of it. Colette's conflict is deeply relatable, even today. How many of us have made promises in a moment of panic, only to face the reality of them later? The book is also a fascinating, intimate snapshot of village life at the turn of the 20th century, where community, faith, and family duty are the pillars of existence. Schultz writes with a gentle clarity that never feels sentimental. She respects Colette's dilemma too much for that.

Final Verdict

This book is perfect for readers who love thoughtful, character-focused historical fiction. If you enjoyed the quiet intensity of novels like Ethan Frome or the moral complexities in some of George Eliot's work, you'll find a friend here. It's a short, poignant read that stays with you, a beautifully crafted portrait of a single, life-changing decision. Don't go in expecting fireworks; go in expecting a slow, steady burn that illuminates the corners of a human heart.