A sudden unforeseeable and strained companionship, followed by unpredictable revelations - in this pensive, psychological tale that becomes more and more dramatic as it unfolds. One wonders where it all leads, as Simenon carefully and subtly depicts how life changes for this aloof, vulnerable, affluent and famous young woman upon a chance encounter with her newly found, eccentric and also vulnerable (but proud not to show it) grandmother.

The following quotes might seem pessimistic and dark, but, surely, the author has a point:

"Everyone thinks herself different..."

"We would share the same home..... we would talk and laugh and quarrel and cry, but nevertheless we'd remain strangers to one another forever".

"Adrien spent his life telling stories that he came to believe in the end. I wonder if all of us don't do much the same thing".

"When one puts together one's good moments, those when one has felt fully oneself, they amount to practically nothing." ( )