Aurelie Valognes – författare

Ferdinand Brun hasn’t always been a grumpy old man. Many years ago, he was a grumpy young man. Now he’d much rather spend time with his canine companion, Daisy, than any of his nosy neighbors. But as his behavior becomes increasingly peculiar, his daughter grows concerned and begins to consider moving him into a retirement home.

In order to maintain his freedom, Ferdinand must submit to an apartment inspection by his longtime enemy, the iron-fisted concierge, Mrs. Suarez. Unfortunately, he’s never tidied up a day in his life. His neighbors, precocious ten-year-old Juliette and vivacious ninety-two-year-old Beatrice, come to the rescue. And once he lets these two into his life, things will never be the same. After an eighty-three-year reign of grouchiness, Ferdinand may finally learn that it’s never too late to start living.

Charming, quirky, and funny, this oh-so-relatable novel from the bestselling author of Out of Sorts shines a light on the always-complicated je ne sais quoi of every family’s relationship.

As Martine and Jacques Le Guennec prepare for their annual family Christmas dinner, Martine reminds her husband to be on his best behavior. Their son Nicolas is bringing his girlfriend, Jeanne, to their home for the first time, and she doesn’t want Jacques to scare this one off.

Jacques has always ruled his roost with patriarchal bravado, and he can’t help but verbally antagonize everyone—especially the wives of his sons. Jeanne, a strong-willed woman who grew up without a father, clashes with the curmudgeon, and she worries that her boyfriend might be too much like his father.

It’s all starting to make Martine question everything about her relationship with her husband. And, though she makes that perfectly clear to him, the old dog is not anxious to learn new tricks.

When Jeanne saves Jacques’s life, he begins to realize it may be time to change his ways if he wants to hold on to his wife and keep the family close. But is it too late?