After a breakup, a man seeks solace in the Belgian coastal town of Ostend. He stays with Emma Van A., a mysterious and lonely older woman. As they get to know each other better, Emma reveals her deepest secret one evening: a strange and incredible love she has experienced. Is it true or merely fantasy? The book tells five stories—"La rêveuse d'Ostende," "Crime parfait," "La guérison," "Les mauvaises lectures," and "La femme au bouquet"—that highlight the power of imagination in our lives. Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, also known for "Oscar et la dame rose," once again demonstrates his talent for storytelling and character development. His writing style invites you to read, as if you were sitting by a crackling fire, comfortable and dreamy. What more could one ask for? - Dominique Bona, Le Journal du dimanche