a monument for war dead is being inaugurated in the commune of Rébédèche, and the narrative sets a vivid scene of small-town life and the local characters involved in the controversy surrounding the monument's construction. As the community engages in debates about honor and remembrance, Élisabeth reflects on her intimate loss and the lingering presence of Georges in her heart. The opening chapters introduce her unease within her family dynamics, particularly with her domineering mother-in-law, and her desire to honor her husband's artistic legacy by reconsidering his work. Élisabeth's journey hints at her struggle to rebuild her life while confronting societal pressures and her own expectations for the future. (This is an automatically generated summary.)