A Woodland Queen ('Reine des Bois') — Volume 2

"A Woodland Queen ('Reine des Bois') — Volume 2" by André Theuriet continues the tale of Julien de Buxieres, a brooding young man in a remote mountain village, as he wrestles with his growing admiration for Reine Vincart. Themes of solitude, love, and connection take center stage as Julien tries to find his place amidst the lively rural life that both attracts and eludes him. As winter blankets the village, Julien grapples with isolation, finding scholarly thoughts more appealing than human company, especially since the local priest, Abbe Pernot, seems more interested in worldly matters. Reine’s arrival disrupts Julien’s gloom; her warmth and love of nature enchant him. However, their interactions expose Julien's difficulty with closeness and spark jealousy when he suspects his friend Claudet harbors feelings for Reine, the beginning of a love triangle that threatens friendships and emotional bonds in their secluded village.