Nicolette: a tale of old Provence

"Nicolette: A Tale of Old Provence" by Baroness Emmuska Orczy, is a story that begins in the beautiful region of Provence, showing a world where old importance struggles with changing times. At the heart of the tale is Nicolette, a young girl linked by family and friendship to the once-powerful Comtes de Ventadour, especially through her special connection with a boy named Bertrand, whom she calls Tan-tan. The story starts by describing the crumbling château of the seigneurs de Ventadour, a symbol of past grandeur, and tells of the childhood adventures of Nicolette and Tan-tan, mixing their fun games with their deeper family histories. Even in their innocent play, the book touches on the difficulties of their society, showing how the once-wealthy family now faces poverty. With a mix of loving memories and childlike wonder, the beginning sets a tone for the harder questions of class and who they are that the story will explore.