I stumbled upon Jeanne Schultz's La Neuvaine de Colette almost by accident, and I'm so glad I did. Published in 1909, it offers a window into a world that feels both distant and intimately familiar.

The Story

The plot is beautifully simple. Colette, a young woman in a provincial French setting, undertakes a 'neuvaine'—a traditional nine days of prayer for a specific intention. We follow her through each day of this spiritual journey. The story lives in the quiet spaces: her routines, her conversations with neighbors, her solitary reflections, and the growing weight of expectation as the ninth day approaches. The central question Schultz poses isn't about whether a miracle will happen, but about what Colette truly needs, and whether she has the strength to recognize it, even if it doesn't look like what she asked for.

Why You Should Read It

This book won me over with its quiet power. Schultz writes Colette with incredible empathy. She's not a fiery rebel, but a real person navigating the limits placed on her by family, society, and her own faith. The real drama is internal. You feel the ache of her constrained life and the flicker of her quiet intelligence. Reading it, I kept thinking about all the small, unspoken choices that define a life. It's a story about the search for personal meaning within a rigid structure, a theme that still hits home today. Schultz doesn't judge her character; she observes her with a gentle, truthful eye that makes Colette's journey deeply moving.

Final Verdict

This is a book for a specific, wonderful kind of reader. It's perfect for anyone who loves classic character studies, fans of authors like George Sand or early 20th-century women's literature. If you enjoy historical fiction that focuses on daily life and inner conflict over sweeping plots, you'll find a friend in Colette. It's also a fascinating read for anyone interested in the history of women's voices in literature. Don't expect fireworks; expect a slow, glowing burn that stays with you. A thoughtful, poignant read for a quiet afternoon.