The Bagpipers

This is one of George Sand's late great rural novels, dealing with life among the provincial poor, where customs were already changing when she wrote it. Sand does meticulously describe the region down to the tiniest villages, forests, ponds, etc., Brulette is a pretty peasant girl loved by several young men in the area. Her cousin Etienne reluctantly accepts that she has no romantic feelings for him. Lifelong friend Josèph also loves Brulette, but feels unworthy of her. (Goodreads)