There are books that slip in quietly, carrying with them the warmth of distant sun and the faint hum of memory. One Morning in Provence, Lorna Fergusson’s collection of literary short stories, is such a read. When you see yourself in need to choose change, how do you know if you’re ready for it?
Lorna Fergusson also wove her voice into our new anthology Courage, Tales of History, Mystery and Hope, writing its introduction with a sensibility attuned to the fragile intersections between place and person.
One Morning in Provence by Lorna Fergusson unfolds not as a single journey, but as a series of moments — glimpses, really — where lives tilt, however slightly, toward revelation.
Her Provence is not merely a setting but a quiet conspirator: its light, its scent, its long history pressing against those who wander through it. What emerges is a collection that persists in the mind, asking not to be rushed.
I found this short stories collection a sun-drenched tapestry of human yearning, regret, and fragile optimism. Lorna Fergusson evokes the allure of Provence through cicadas, olives, and lemons, juxtaposing flawed, searching individuals against its glittering setting.
Each story unfolds as a revelation: delicate, witty, occasionally tragic, but always evocative.
My favorite was When You See Him, Tell Him. It is an absorbing exploration of damaged familial relationships and the weight of personal history, set against the beautiful backdrop of Dordogne and Aquitaine’s prehistoric caverns. The story, told from Claudia’s point of view, carries a sharp, perceptive voice, one rich in observation and subtle humor. It contrasts the grandeur and antiquity of her surroundings with a distinctly modern, often cynical sensibility.
The narrative weaves the external world of caves, châteaux, vineyards, with the internal terrain of complex emotion: anticipation, bitterness, curiosity, and the unsettling thrill of reunion. The language is richly textured, moving from the small wonder of a beagle accidentally uncovering a prehistoric cave to the tactile luxury of boutique hotels and the sensory pleasures of regional cuisine and wine.
Interpersonal relationships, particularly verbal exchanges, are rendered with acute psychological insight. Tension and discomfort surface naturally, yet are often edged with quiet humor.
The collection’s strength lie in its layered characters, immersive sense of place, and the careful unfolding of emotional stakes. The narrative rhythm that shifts between introspection, travel, and charged family encounters sustains a quiet but persistent tension. It rewards the reader with a deeply nuanced, human story.
This is a thoughtful, character-driven work with a distinctly contemporary sensibility that explores not only history, but the shifting terrain of self and family.
One Morning in Provence is more than a collection of stories; it is a meditation on how beauty unsettles us, how travel reveals us, and how life insists on change. A book to be savored slowly, like a glass of chilled rosé on a sunlit terrace. Highly recommended.
While you read One Morning in Provence by Lorna Fergusson ask yourself: when you see yourself in need to choose change, how do you know if you’re ready for it?
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Lorna Fergusson is an award-winning short story writer and novelist. Founder of Fictionfire Literary Consultancy, she is an experienced editor, speaker and writing coach, and has taught on various Oxford University writing programmes for over twenty years. Her latest book is ‘One Morning in Provence’, a collection of short stories set in France. She has won an Ian St James Award and the Historical Novel Society’s Short Story Award, as well as being shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, Pan Macmillan’s Write Now Prize for children’s fiction, the Mogford Prize (twice) and the Historical Novel Society’s First Chapters prize.
That sounds like a beautiful evocation of Provence as a background against which to set the psychology of the people who move against it. Many thanks for sharing, Patricia, and best wishes to Lorna Ferguson with it. 🙂
It is a gorgeous pairing of the two, Laura 🙂
Thank you for your superb support.
Nice book review, makes me wonder why I don’t spend more of my time reading these longer forms of writing, like novels and even a good short story like this one! Gotta build that muscle more
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Jay.
Yes, there are so many book genres available, it’s not easy to make time for all. My reading wish list is always growing. I’m glad I could spark your literay interest with Lorna Fergusson”s collection of short fiction. 🙂
I’m reading this one now … loving it!
A beautiful read, isn’t it 🙂
France as a setting would lure me right in ansd this book sounds awesome
Yes! I felt the same attraction towards this book’s french seting 🙂
It sounds like an amazing collection Pat and thanks for the review, I am certainly enjoying a number of short story collections these days.. perfect for sitting in the garden enjoying some sunshine. ♥
Iam thrilled you enjoy yourself, Sally. Yes,short stories are a surprisingly effective way to pass the time and have a good time.
Pat, what a compelling review!
Thank you so much, Joy. Some reviews write themselves. Especially when one enjoys a book very much, such as I enjoyed yours 🙂
Wow what a beautifully written and very helpful review. It seems like a wonderful collection of short stories. It hits home a little bit because my wife, her name is incidentally Claudia, has a sister who lives in Provence. We’ve been to Provence several times, Marseille, Aix-en_Provence, Mas de la Rose, and the country side. BTW when visiting your post now, I realized that I was not subscribed. Either, you have two websites and I did not see one of them (this one), or WP unsubscribed me. I certainly didn’t. Anyway, I subscribed now.
Having visited a book’s location certainly adds to its appeal. But this collection, in particular, is special and I think that different stories will resonate with different readers.
I think you subscribed to my Substack newsletter if you used the pop-up. That is monthly only and different from WP, where you receive the blog posts as they are published. 🙂 Thank you, Thomas!
What a gorgeous review of this book. Thanks for introducing us Patricia. I’m adding to the TBR!
You’re in for a treat and thank you 🙂 This was an easy review to write as I thoroughly enjoyed the read.
Congratulations to Lorna on the glowing review! Sharing.
Thank you, Liz. You’re always so supportive!
You’re welcome, Patricia!
Patricia, thank you so very much for this incredible review! I’m delighted that you enjoyed One Morning in Provence so much and took the trouble to share it.
Lorna, it was my absolute pleasure 🙂 Thank you for such an entertaining read!