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audreyryan11's review against another edition
4.25
I think this book started off a bit slow but overall it was a great read. I was humbled by my lack of knowledge of the French Revolution and WWI and WWII. It’s fun to read about the female perspective since all the history books are about men
marshmellonie's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
4.5
oburke33's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
This was a solid book! A fascinating story about 3 strong women inspired by the actions of Lafayette, but are the heroes of their own stories. It exposed the lack of knowledge I have about historical events, but left me wanting to learn more.
thesarahgayle's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
I enjoyed this book but it felt like a slog.
Content Warnings
Graphic: War and Death
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
4.0
I was so excited to be approved to review this novel, and was disappointed with the opening. "The Women of Chateau Lafayette" gets off to an awkward start, stay the course! It develops into an suspenseful and compelling tale that is hard to put down.
There are three narratives--the most modern involves Marthe, a teacher at a school for children with respiratory problems in rural France. She was raised at the institution, which is sponsored by an American organization that supports the home of the Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who fought with Washington in the American Revolutionary War. It's 1939.
In 1774, 14-year-old Adrienne is married to 16-year-old Gilbert de Mortier, the last of the Lafayette line. Her family is rich, and even though he is a rube from a backwater, so is he. Adrienne suspects there may be more to this redheaded kid than anyone thinks.
In 1915, former chorus girl Beatrice Chanler decides to use her husband's wealth to help the scores of refugees she sees flooding Paris. As well as being beautiful and charming, Beatrice is a born organizer and shaker-upper. Her work will save thousands of refugees, and grow the legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette, whom she greatly admires.
The novel starts out with Marthe's story, which is the weakest for the first quarter of the book. Ultimately, all the stories are completely riveting and Stephanie Dray handles the last quarter of the narrative like a skilled film director. The result is dynamic reading and a book that's hard to put down, filled with lots of well delivered history and characters you care about. What a treat!
Greatest thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this reading treat!
~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
There are three narratives--the most modern involves Marthe, a teacher at a school for children with respiratory problems in rural France. She was raised at the institution, which is sponsored by an American organization that supports the home of the Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who fought with Washington in the American Revolutionary War. It's 1939.
In 1774, 14-year-old Adrienne is married to 16-year-old Gilbert de Mortier, the last of the Lafayette line. Her family is rich, and even though he is a rube from a backwater, so is he. Adrienne suspects there may be more to this redheaded kid than anyone thinks.
In 1915, former chorus girl Beatrice Chanler decides to use her husband's wealth to help the scores of refugees she sees flooding Paris. As well as being beautiful and charming, Beatrice is a born organizer and shaker-upper. Her work will save thousands of refugees, and grow the legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette, whom she greatly admires.
The novel starts out with Marthe's story, which is the weakest for the first quarter of the book. Ultimately, all the stories are completely riveting and Stephanie Dray handles the last quarter of the narrative like a skilled film director. The result is dynamic reading and a book that's hard to put down, filled with lots of well delivered history and characters you care about. What a treat!
Greatest thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this reading treat!
~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader
terraturtles's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
trudyd's review against another edition
5.0
I learned so much from the book, The Women of Chateau Lafayette. It was well written, blending three different wars in France. I was impressed with the detail and the research that must have been done in order to create such a fantastic story.
If you don't have time to read the book I highly recommend the audiobook. For days I could be found devouring every word while working around the house.
If you don't have time to read the book I highly recommend the audiobook. For days I could be found devouring every word while working around the house.
booksnooksandcooks's review
5.0
I’m going through so many emotions right now. Every time I thought I figured out where the story was going or what it was hinting at, I was mistaken. I was rooting for Adrienne and Beatrice and while I struggled with Marthe at the beginning, I literally had to grip onto a pillow when reading part four because my heart rate kept rising.
The way I went from absolutely detesting Yves to cheering him on…masterful writing. THIS is solid historical fiction.
The way I went from absolutely detesting Yves to cheering him on…masterful writing. THIS is solid historical fiction.
asienerbrown's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Police brutality, Violence, Bullying, Chronic illness, Injury/Injury detail, Antisemitism, Genocide, Gun violence, and Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use