This is a surprisingly charming story set partly in a very small town in Greenland and mostly in provincial France. Isle, the protagonist, lives very remotely on a small island (when the tide is in) off the coast of a small village in Greenland. Although her job as a translator (English, French and Danish) of books furthers her isolation, she manages to walk from her ramshackle house on stilts, which threatens to fall into the sea, across a land bridge when the tide is out to socialize with the village’s unique and eccentric inhabitants. But she dreams of going to France and her wish comes true when her publisher agrees to send her to Provence to translate poetry for an aging man referred to as a “national treasure”. In Province, Isle discovers not only beautiful scenery but also new friendships and even more eccentric and lovable people.
Although this book is listed as being in the romance genre, it is definitely not a rom com and romance is a secondary focus or less. The real story is about friendship, both familiar and well established, and those that can be made with an open mind wherever you find yourself. Isle herself is such a charming character who is already caring but must learn to be brave and open to adventure in unfamiliar surroundings. The author did a terrific job with character development and made all the primary characters so interesting and real. I loved both settings and knew very little about either of these so very different places. The book did move a little slowly at times for me but the real story of friendships and sacrifices made everything come together for a great read!

I did wonder a few times as I was reading this one if I would finish it. It's very much a love letter to a language I don't understand, so there was a sense of missing out over French phrases or passages.

There are authors I've really enjoyed that have been translated to English, and while a part of me understands the undertaking this must be, I've never stopped to consider what the life of a translator might be like. Ilse's love for a language not her own leads her to want to stay true to the original work, to try and lose as little of the author's intention as possible. A translator friend of hers disagrees - she thinks that the translator must make themselves known, not hide behind the original words.

When Ilse's dream of visiting France comes true, at first she worries if she's too unrefined for the experience. A girl left behind by the death of her brother, who has spent her life amongst the harshest of elements in Greenland, who seems to take up too much space for the delicate landscape.

She wasn't expecting her connection with the Poet, who's work she is translating. Not his way of seeing the world, of poetry, and her.

I found myself drawn in by Ilse's transformation but was eager for her to return home. Her experience in Provence was a beautiful dream, and the life she left behind is demanding. Strong willed people, brutal weather and a harsh landscape, there was beauty in her home as well. I felt she would have forever been missing a part of herself if she stayed in Provence, though the pull to that place was very strong as well.

I often think of myself as a character driven reader. It's rare for me to find a place that provides just as strong a character as the people that live in it.

3.5 stars
I loved the settings of Greenland and Provence, but the second section of the book when she was in Provence and translating the poetry was my favorite. There was a lot of sadness in the book, but also hope. I loved how Ilse maturely evaluated the things that happened to her and what she wanted, and she took her time to make her final decisions on where to stay. It took me a little while to get into this book, but ultimately I enjoyed it.

Ballantine eARC
I tried this book a couple times this spring, and it just wasn't working for me, but I didn't want to completely DNF. I am so glad I didn't. I ended up listening to the audio of this, and it hit all the right notes. I loved the setting - both Greenland and France. It is so rare to get a book set in Greenland, and Ilse was such an interesting woman to experience this life and culture because of her love for the French language, even though she's never been. I think what captured me here was how it was a story about an interesting woman's life that left me full of wanting the best for her. It was easy to root for and against some of her decisions. I loved how poetry was explored. The author also examined relationships in interesting and surprising ways. I just fell for this story in ways I didn't expect, and I know it's one that will stick with me.

Ooh, I love me a travel book! I always get jealous thinking of the research the authors are required to do. Because if you set a book in Greenland, you have to go to Greenland. It makes me want to write a book set in Greenland.

I adored this story. It was sweeping in its locales, yet very easy to connect to through the main character. It was thoughtful, moving, and at times I broke out into a huge smile as I read. This is a balm for the soul without being too trite and predictable.

This book was very interesting about this woman named l.L s e who lived in greenland. She had.
A very quiet life there.She lived in a fishing village. She spoke French and she always wanted to go to France to visit This person who wrote poems.
Geo FF.R.Y. She translated one of His poems. So she went to province A town called B e l l e on Coast of R I v I e r a She found very beautiful and it was very different from greenland. The poet was very good to her and he really had a good time. Then he got sick and his son came down the f.R y. She stayed an extra 3 weeks because she fell in love with his son.But his son was supposed to marry another woman. It was interesting , how the author compared her life in greenland and Her vacation in france. She returned home but things started to get out of whack when she lost her home to the sea. She was a drift she did not know what to do. The book has a different Ending because his son wanted her to come to france to live with him. There's a lot of answers at this end of this book and you'll find out about them

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy of A Northern Light in Provence by Elizabeth Birkelund. Ilse is from a tiny rural town in Greenland, and she has never traveled, despite always wanting to. She is a translator of poetry and other literature, and lives through her authors. When she has the opportunity to go to Provence to work in person with one of her poets, she thinks her life is finally beginning. She bonds with the poet, but realizes quickly that he is in his final stages of life. He teaches her about a life she could never imagine, and she falls in love with the area and the people there. There is romance, but is the beautiful life of Provence really better than the solid life she has in cold Greenland? Provence and Greenland are both characters in this book, the descriptions of both areas are beautiful and lyrical. #anorthernlightinprovence #elizabethbirkelund #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #tbr #bookstagram #lovetoread #readersofinstagram #provence #greenland

Greenland is a fascinating location and this is the first time I have read a novel set in the harsh conditions. Elizabeth Birkelund uses a unique profession to propel her main character, Ilse Erlund from isolation to community. Erlund has monetized her love for the French language by translating French works into English. When she has a chance to take a break from sad memories at home and travel to Provence to work with an aging poet, she packs up and escapes her "real life." Birkelund spends many words on the setting and sense of place, which although beautiful often slows down the story. I was pleased with the way this book ended.

From the frozen landscape of northern Greenland to the mountains, fields of lavender and villages of Provence, Elizabeth Birklund’s story captures your attention from the first page and holds you long after the end. I frequently smiled as I read this book, but there were also times that it brought me to tears. Ilse fell in love with the French language when Madame LaRoche arrived in Greenland to teach. Now in her thirties, Ilse is a translator for a publishing company. She has never been to France but dreams of someday traveling there. When her editor asks her to translate a book of poetry with a short deadline she accepts, but only if they will send her to work with the poet on the translation. Geoffrey ‘Po’ Labaye is known as the last living troubadour of Provence. His poetry is filled with the Provençal dialect, which Ilse is not familiar with. From the moment she arrives in the warmth of Provence she falls under its’ spell. Then she meets Po. He is in his seventies but they form an instant connection. Working in the shade of an olive tree and sharing a carafe of coffee or the local drink, they share a love of words. The book is being given as a gift to the guests at the wedding of Po’s son Frey. Po disapproves of Frey’s fiancée, causing tension and arguments when Frey arrives. While Ilse initially finds Frey to be cold, they develop an attraction as she gets to know him, which is encouraged by Po. At the poet’s request Ilse extends her stay until a betrayal and a tragic death has her returning to Greenland.

Ilse’s home in Greenland is built over the water, providing the solitude that she prefers since the death of her brother Jann. It has been fifteen years since his motorcycle accident but her mother still praises Jann while pointing out all of Ilse’s faults. In her small community she is surrounded by friends who care for her, including Troy, who she grew up with and briefly dated. While she left a part of her heart in Provence, her return home forces her to decide where she truly belongs. This is a story of love and loss that was beautifully written. It is a story that you will want to revisit again and again. I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for providing this book.

I’m giving it a “just OK” rating because I adored the poetry, the bond between the poet and translator, and the love of language and nature. However, I abhorred the romance subplot (involves cheating) and I personally find present tense hard to get into.

A very lovely book about a woman who leaves her home in Greenland to travel to Provence and falls in love. It did make me laugh at times

Else is from Greenland and as a translator travels to Greenland. While there, she is translating romantic poems. This time away opens her eyes and changes her life. She grows and changes all in positive ways. I enjoyed her journey and how it reshaped her.
I recommend this book.

A Love Story not only about romantic love but about the love of friends, family, locations and above all...words. It felt slow to start, but as it went on, I found myself caught up in the beautiful flow of the words-both English and the foreign language - mostly French and the Provencal dialect. Not a lover of poetry, generally I was enthralled by the beauty of Poe's words and the beauty of Ilsa's connection to them and to Poe. There is alwaysuch to learn about ourselves even as we get older. The grass is greener where you tend it, and this story brings that saying strongly to mind.

A Northern Light in Provence was a surprising read in lots of ways. Ilse is from a remote town in Greenland, a place with long hard winters. As a child, she discovers a love for languages, especially French, and becomes a translator, but has never left the country. As an adult, she has an opportunity to travel to Provence in France, to translate a book of poetry. She falls in love with the country, the poet has a great effect on her, and she extends her travels. Throughout she is stressed about money, her family and her cat, the magic of Provence does not make her forget her home.

A Northern Light in Provence by Elizabeth Birkelund is a novel set in Greenland and France. It follows the journey of the protagonist from Greenland to France. Some of the descriptions in this book are quite beautiful. The book does a good job exploring the meaning of home. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

I read this over a long period of time during a lull in being deeply absorbed in a fiction title. it was a little bit like watching a French Canadian film…the
quirky characters are not relatable at first but become winning over time. The translation profession has always intrigued me both real and metaphorical. I liked the ending as it felt unpredictable and just right. I live in a mostly sunny climate in a city I don’t like at all so I was attuned to appreciate the joy of sun washed days and how it subsumes. Provence was so well written glad attachment to place in a deep way is still a literary sell. The characters were all well drawn. The scene where the house becomes unmoored is cinematic. I think this story and many themes will stay with me and I can’t say why it felt so slow going..not sure if that was the intention..at least 4 stars

This was a DNF for me. Too many exclamation points and too many big reveals happening oddly quickly. I did like the premise of the setting in Greenland as that was a new for me but otherwise couldn’t connect to the story.

A Northern Light in Provence is a beautifully tender love story, but so much more than that. It's empathetic yet fantastical, charming yet heartbreaking as we watch the main character go through so many emotions to not only discover herself, but to find her true way in life, release her fears and find happiness, something I think we can agree is what we all truly are looking for.

Ilse Erlund is a book translator who lives in Greenland. She lives in a very small town, loves her little house, her cat and loves her job, although her parents are not happy with her decision of career, but tries to ignore them. Although she could do without the bitter cold winters, she feels she has a pretty good life.

She knows her publisher takes advantage of her because she just never learned to say no or ask for what she wants or needs, like extra time or extra money. Her goal in life is to try and make everybody happy. Also, she fears they will fire her. Not because they really will, but because she thinks they will.

When the publisher gives her a new assignment, one she is not sure she is capable of doing, everything changes. She is requested to translate poems in French, a language she knows well. The poet is Geoffrey "Po" Labaye and he is revered. She is excited yet nervous and feels she can't do this alone without his guidance. So, she boldly asks if she could go to France, meet with him so he can assist with the translation. To her shock, he agrees.

Thus begins Ilse's journey of a lifetime which will unknowingly change her in more ways than she could imagine. Once there and meeting Po, a wonderful old soul who takes her under his wing where she becomes his muse to him, her teacher. When his son, Frey suddenly appears, that too will change Isle's life in another way. Between the splendor of the setting, dear people she has befriended, she's not sure she ever wants to go home.

As Ilse battles tough decisions, she begins to realize there is so much more to life with family, friends, and love. She may have always just taken these for granted. As she finds her voice, she feels the strength begin to feed her, just as her love of the French food and wine did. Just as Po and his merry band of friends did. But it's time to go home. She has changed. What does that mean? Who is she now?

A Northern Light in Provence is so much more than just a love story between two people. It's a story about loss, reconnecting, growing, losing and finding one's voice, not just on paper but in life. That is really home.

Thank you #NetGalley #Ballentine/RandomHouse #ElizabethBirkelund #ANorthernLightinProvence for the advanced copy.

Thank you to @netgalley @randomhouse and the author for the gifted copy of the e-book and to @prhaudio for the free audiobook.

This was a beautifully written book. Ilse Lund is a translator living on the west coast of Greenland. She convinces her publisher to pay for a trip to France to translate the verses of an elderly poet named Geoffrey Labaye. When she arrives in a medieval village in Provence, she falls in love with the place and develops a strong relationship with the poet. They develop a daily rhythm, but their camaraderie is disturbed when the poet’s son arrives and starts showing interest in her. Now she must figure out where her future lies.

The combination of the book and the audio was truly captivating. The narrator skillfully drew me into the story with their performance. The author's vivid descriptions of France and Greenland were absolutely stunning. The bond that formed between Ilse and the poet was truly moving. The inclusion of the French language, articulated by the narrator, truly brought the book to life.

This is a story of self-discovery as a woman explores the beauty of Provence. If you are a fan of romantic novels set in Provence, this book is a must-read!

4⭐️out of 5 for Birkelund’s A Northern Light in Provence. I loved the plot, setting, and character development.

Ilse lives in Greenland in an isolated, dilapidated house on stilts basically falling into the ocean. She translates books into French but has never been there. When she is asked to translate The Poet’s works from Provençal, she gets to go to Provence and work with him. Ilse falls further in love with France and the French lifestyle.

Thank you to the author, Random House-Ballantine, and NetGalley for the ebook in exchange for my honest review.