Violette, 16, a promising young swimmer, has decided to live her homosexuality openly. Supported by her loving parents, she blossoms and fall in love with Lisa. While it's more difficult for Lisa to show her true feelings, they're going to experience the joy of first love together. But when Violette is assaulted in the street while they were holding hands, their relationship takes a dramatic turn.
The coming-of-age story of celebrated novelist Gabrielle Roy, growing up in the family home on Deschambault Street in Saint-Boniface. Against a backdrop of the social and political issues the francophone minority in Manitoba faced at the time, Gabrielle, struggles to understand her place in the scheme of things surrounded by her parents, her sisters, and her community.
The story revolves around the people of Sète, France. Their lives are punctuated by family rivalries, romance and scenes from daily life, but also by plots involving police investigations, secrets and betrayals.