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3.94 AVERAGE
3.94 AVERAGE
thank you so much to to allison & busby for a copy!!
bitter greens is a Rapunzel retelling following three women in multiple timelines, set in Italy and France.
bitter greens is a Rapunzel retelling following three women in multiple timelines, set in Italy and France.
Charlotte-Rose de la Force is a great teller of tales and she was exiled from the court of the Sun King Louis XIV.
Selena Leonelli is terrified of time passing and used to be Venetian artist Titian’s muse.
Margherita, with long, red-gold hair, was sold by her parents for a handful of bitter greens. she’s trapped in a tower and wants to find a way to escape.
this was a stunning retelling of Rapunzel woven with the story of one of the tale’s first tellers. it was so beautifully written and captivating from page 1. i absolutely adored the fairytale lore and how court politics was also present (i’m a sucker for political intrigue).
all three women were so well written and each had their own goals set. they’re all so strong and determined. they all stole my heart and i just loved how interwoven their stories were.
overall, this was such a great read!!
Second reading of this book, this time for book club. Story had lost none of its charm for me. Kate Forsyth writes in a way that resonates with me and I find myself in the story and know all the characters . As I was fortunate to have been to Versailles I could imagine the sumptuous balls, the extravagances of King Louis. The power of the churches and that of the rich and privileged was evident and Kate Forsyth has done wonderful research.
Loved this book and having recently attended a talk by Kate Forsyth, the story held even more meaning for me. She is an extremely interesting, captivating woman who has a,ways been fascinated by fairy stories. This story showed Rapunzel in a different, more earthly light and the stories of three different women, interwoven was brilliantly done. I look forward to reading more by this wonderful author
Loved this book and having recently attended a talk by Kate Forsyth, the story held even more meaning for me. She is an extremely interesting, captivating woman who has a,ways been fascinated by fairy stories. This story showed Rapunzel in a different, more earthly light and the stories of three different women, interwoven was brilliantly done. I look forward to reading more by this wonderful author
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book is beautifully written and richly detailed. The ultimate fairy tale. Each of our three heroines are dynamic and interesting, even when they are immoral or, in some cases, downright malicious.
It’s also incredibly slowwwwwwww. Almost overwhelmingly so. It tries to cram in so much that it really bogs down the pace. It really pulled me out at times, because there was a lot of inner monologue and repetition.
Overall it was an enchanting story and I did enjoy reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Forsyth, and Allison & Busby for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
It’s also incredibly slowwwwwwww. Almost overwhelmingly so. It tries to cram in so much that it really bogs down the pace. It really pulled me out at times, because there was a lot of inner monologue and repetition.
Overall it was an enchanting story and I did enjoy reading it.
Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Forsyth, and Allison & Busby for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-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:
No
I hope this doesn’t get taken the wrong way but Bitter Greens reminded me of Redeeming Love in that overall the story was lovely with a satisfying ending, but content throughout (black magic and plenty of semi-graphic sex) makes me hesitant to wholly recommend. I initially saw this book on a YA reading list and, like Redeeming Love, I would 100 percent NOT let my teen read this.
That being said, Rapunzel is my favorite Disney princess and this grown-up story of three women trapped in obvious and not-so obvious ways in Reformation-era France and Italy was very well done and had me hooked from beginning to end.
That being said, Rapunzel is my favorite Disney princess and this grown-up story of three women trapped in obvious and not-so obvious ways in Reformation-era France and Italy was very well done and had me hooked from beginning to end.
adventurous
informative
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Book Review Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
Publication date: March 20/25
This sweeping historical fiction is based on the life of Charlotte-Rose de la Force in 17th century France. Aptly named, she is a force to be reckoned with, refusing to succumb to the limited roles available to women in that period. Instead, she seeks independence and tries to pursue a career as a storyteller and writer. The novel fascinatingly weaves together her life story along with her published fairytale Persinette, otherwise known as Rapunzel. This is a captivating tale that highlights the burden borne by women during this time and the many ways they attempt to exert control over their own lives.
Forsyth writes that the only options available to women were: marriage, nunnery or courtesan. Each when explored are still cages, confining the women with its own set of rules and restrictions. The story vividly depicts the circumstances of all three options through the stories of the three MC Charlotte Rose, Selena Leonelli, who is forced to become a courtesan to survive and Margherita, who was sent to a nunnery and then captured in a tower.
The intertwining story lines are enthralling with strong character development and rich historical details that immediately draw you in. The determination and resilience of the women is truly remarkable made even more powerful by the fact that it is based on a real life figure.
Thanks to NetGalley and Allisonandbusby for the chance to preview this book, my opinions are my own.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
informative
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:
No
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
An excellent story, well told and well researched. Binding the three different women from different times and places was so well executed. Along the way I certainly learnt more about French court behaviour, the history of fairytales as well as some of the social and female history of the period of Louis XIV. But that's just the beginning..............
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes