Dec 30, 2009
The Gardens of Mont-Saint-Michel | The Gardens of Mont-Saint-Michel
At a glance:
- Author: William Maxwell
- First Published: 1969
- Type of Plot: Autobiographical, character study
- Time of Work: 1966
- Setting: Pontorson and Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy, France
- Principal Characters: John Reynolds, Dorothy, Allison, Trip, Linda Porter
- Genres: Short fiction
- Subjects: 1960’s, Family or family life, Husbands, United States or Americans, Wives, Traveling or travelers, France or French people, Love or romance, Twentieth century, Marriage, Manners or customs, Hotels, motels, or inns, Vacations, Western Europe or western Europeans, Modernization, Nostalgia, Aging
- Locales: Normandy, France
The Story
The character of John Reynolds forms the core of “The Gardens of
Mont-Saint-Michel,” in which he and his family travel to France and visit the famed
abbey. During this trip, Reynolds feels disappointment at the commercialism that now detracts
from the area where he and his wife had earlier experienced an idyllic honeymoon. As in so
much of William Maxwell's work, the story centers on character development, with little
emphasis on plot.
In a humorous opening scene, Reynolds strains to drive a rented Volkswagen bus on
unfamiliar streets, fearing an accident...
[The entire page is 1421 words long]
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