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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book, about a woman racked with guilt about how she managed to survive the German occupation of Paris during WW2, and her new life in New York during the 1950s. There was a charming love story, and great storytelling.
This was a great historical novel. I couldn't put it down.
In Paris as WWII ended, a young woman and her child ripped off the yellow stars and fled the scene of retaliation against the collaborators horizontale. The book was riveting and complex, and this scene foretold its story.
The writing had a great sense of place, and the characters were well developed. The story was based on difficulties of people who found themselves in complicated situations, yet somehow drew from within themselves the ability to survive. But with the survival came guilt, which was the underlying theme behind this book.
I highly recommend this to fans of historical fiction, WWII, Paris, the Resistance and especially to those interested in the role of everyday people during this painful time.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
The writing had a great sense of place, and the characters were well developed. The story was based on difficulties of people who found themselves in complicated situations, yet somehow drew from within themselves the ability to survive. But with the survival came guilt, which was the underlying theme behind this book.
I highly recommend this to fans of historical fiction, WWII, Paris, the Resistance and especially to those interested in the role of everyday people during this painful time.
This ebook was provided by NetGalley in return for an honest review.
It appears that I have, by chance, read several WWII novels this year and Paris Never Leaves You by Ellen Feldman is at the top of the list with five well-deserved stars. During the four-year German occupation of Paris, the lives of the citizens were turned upside down. They had to learn to live with hunger, terror, fear, cruelty and mistrust. Charlotte managed a bookshop and cared for her infant daughter, Vivi. When the German troops were finally pushed out, Charlotte and child emigrated to New York where she found work and friendship in the publishing world. But her memories of the war were ruining her new life. The story alternates between the forties in Europe and the fifties in America. What happened to Charlotte during the war that is haunting her still? Will her daughter be told the truth? This novel has interesting characters and a well-developed storyline. Highly recommended. Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and Ellen Feldman for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I did enjoy a unique perspective on the tragedy of WWII, I was never truly engrossed by the characters nor plot. I am glad to have read it, though did not shed tears or laughter… a true gauge of a story’s impact.
It’s amazing the will that people have to survive. The things that people, especially women had to endure during WW2 and the time afterward is hard to swallow sometimes. This book really puts you in the shoes of those people as you watch them struggle and overcome the pain of such a brutal war.
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
Received an advance reader copy in exchange for a fair review.
Sara | Book Confessions of an ExBallerina
4.25 stars
Author Ellen Feldman’s impressive Paris Never Leaves You is a different type of WWII story. Set in both 1944 and 1954, we learn of Charlotte and her young daughter Vivi’s life during the war in Paris and ten years later when they are safely living in New York City. We know from the beginning of the book that Charlotte and her daughter survive the war but can Charlotte fully escape her secrets and guilt as her daughter starts asking questions about her heritage? This compelling story about survival and love shows that war is complex and not as simple as good versus evil. I recommend this book and I’m very appreciative to St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley and Edelweiss for the advance copy.
Author Ellen Feldman’s impressive Paris Never Leaves You is a different type of WWII story. Set in both 1944 and 1954, we learn of Charlotte and her young daughter Vivi’s life during the war in Paris and ten years later when they are safely living in New York City. We know from the beginning of the book that Charlotte and her daughter survive the war but can Charlotte fully escape her secrets and guilt as her daughter starts asking questions about her heritage? This compelling story about survival and love shows that war is complex and not as simple as good versus evil. I recommend this book and I’m very appreciative to St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley and Edelweiss for the advance copy.
This book is amazing! If you like historical fiction and romance, you will love this book. Set in WWII, Charlotte lives in Paris. Her world is turned upside down during the occupation of France. This book covers more of what the general populace experienced during that time. We often don't think about the ration lines or the danger of association or the fear that causes people to turn on each other. Charlotte does what she can to survive. However, after the war, she is filled with survivor guilt. She tries to bury the past and forget it, but her daughter and her friend help her see that bringing it out into the light just might be the path to peace.
When Paris is invaded by Germans, the day after she gives birth, Charlotte takes over a friend's bookstore. Many books have been banned, but there is still a strong desire from so many to embrace what books provide. Then a German officer begins to visit the shop and over time he buys an eclectic selection of books. Charlotte is determined to have as little interaction with this invader as is possible. However, he continues to behave in a respectful manner.
I don't want to say much more about the plot for fear of spoiling it for the reader.
For me the overarching theme of this book is survivor's guilt. Obviously the story includes the trauma of war and the trauma of loss. There are the struggles and choices that enable one to survive. There is is love of parents, children, friends, family, faith and country. But ultimately, it is about how to survive the fact that one has survived when so many others have perished, and how to forgive one's self for the choices that enable survival.
I found that I didn't want to set this book down. It is well-researched, well-written, thoughtful and thought provoking. At the end it left me wanting the story to go on for years. It wasn't necessary to love Charlotte or agree with all of her decisions to enjoy the story; for me that's part of what creates a thought provoking book.
I received this book free as a goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.
I don't want to say much more about the plot for fear of spoiling it for the reader.
For me the overarching theme of this book is survivor's guilt. Obviously the story includes the trauma of war and the trauma of loss. There are the struggles and choices that enable one to survive. There is is love of parents, children, friends, family, faith and country. But ultimately, it is about how to survive the fact that one has survived when so many others have perished, and how to forgive one's self for the choices that enable survival.
I found that I didn't want to set this book down. It is well-researched, well-written, thoughtful and thought provoking. At the end it left me wanting the story to go on for years. It wasn't necessary to love Charlotte or agree with all of her decisions to enjoy the story; for me that's part of what creates a thought provoking book.
I received this book free as a goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.