Anna Gavalda, France’s best-selling female author, has composed a moving tribute to those among us who choose to confront our vulnerabilities and admit our weaknesses.

From the story of a truck driver who reacts to his son’s death with a gesture of awkward kindness, to the alcoholic widow who befriends a stranger still haunted by a childhood spent in an emotionally frigid military family, readers will find the full Gavaldian universe on display in these stories of suffering and salvation. Rich in empathy, understanding of everyday struggles, and grace, these tales illustrate the importance of moving beyond the wounds of the past and embracing love, friendship, forgiveness, and family.