Book: Daughters of the House

"Daughters of the House" by Michèle Roberts is a compelling exploration of memory, identity, and the complexities of familial ties set against the backdrop of post-war France. The novel centers on the lives of two cousins, Thérèse and Léonie, who grow up in a small Norman village, bound by secrets and the haunting legacy of their shared past. As they navigate the intricacies of womanhood and heritage, their relationship becomes a microcosm of the broader socio-historical tensions surrounding them. Roberts masterfully intertwines themes of religious faith, political history, and personal betrayal, crafting a narrative that reveals the hidden layers of family dynamics and the potent influence of historical memory. The narrative's richly woven prose illuminates the stark contrasts of innocence and guilt, loyalty and deceit, drawing readers into the heart of the cousins' tangled, intimate world. With evocative imagery and psychological depth, "Daughters of the House" examines how the echoes of the past persist and what it means to reconcile with where one comes from.