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thewanderinggrouch's review against another edition
5.0
Thoroughly enjoyable story. I laughed a few times and got very sad a few times. Veeeerrrry long, but almost two stories in one. Loved the use of various languages and historical information (though would have liked more).
There were a few times that the story was a bit eye-rolly - narrator interacts with people in situations, then something happens to them specifically.
Also, the audiobook narrator mispronounced quite a few words and made a significant error - which I assume was a written error - stating the narrator couldn't speak French and her Argentine tango partner could speak English. These aspects pulled me from the story and made me question the job, but for 19 hours or whatever they were very few.
There were a few times that the story was a bit eye-rolly - narrator interacts with people in situations, then something happens to them specifically.
Also, the audiobook narrator mispronounced quite a few words and made a significant error - which I assume was a written error - stating the narrator couldn't speak French and her Argentine tango partner could speak English. These aspects pulled me from the story and made me question the job, but for 19 hours or whatever they were very few.
salbathtub's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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? No
4.0
klimeido's review against another edition
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.75
emilyjadesc's review
emotional
inspiring
sad
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? Yes
3.5
cayleigh08's review against another edition
2.0
I liked the first 200 pages… but not much more. I did LOVE the theatre and preforming aspects of the book and how Simone portrayed that. I found it very fun and charming! However, it was hard to finish.
I loved some parts and not so much others. I give this book 2-3 ⭐️
I loved some parts and not so much others. I give this book 2-3 ⭐️
shrook's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dark_unicorn_princess's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
1.0
This didn't grip me like [b:Golden Earrings|12585568|Golden Earrings|Belinda Alexandra|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1317182469s/12585568.jpg|24879108] did. I think I'm in the mood for trashy novels rather than sagas.
thebooktrail88's review
4.0
Trail of the music halls of Paris and Berlin
With real historical figures and fictional characters woven onto such a rich background of tapestries, from the stages of the best musical halls in the world to staring war in the face, this trail is also a tour of the musical halls in and around Europe and the rise of a musical star as the rise of Hitler casts a dark cloud over Europe.
The blurb is slightly misleading in my opinion though as lavender or the significance of it has nothing really to do with the plot. It's a story of one woman's search for her place in the world, her love of music and her strength to break away from her poor background and to make something of herself. It's also a bit long if I'm honest and I think a shorter novel would have packed a stronger punch but having said that I loved being immersed in the backstage gossip and danger of the musical halls. This book should really come with a soundtrack!
Paris and Berlin
The two big cities of their time and the most iconic in the story. These are the cities Simone knows the best for she blossoms here and becomes the musical star she yearns to be. From such iconic places such as The World Fair, the Casino of Paris and the Folies Bergère she gets a name for herself but as war beckons and she falls into the group of the Resistance, her life takes a dangerous turn, Occupied Paris takes up most of the latter part of the story and its here where famous singers mingle with soldiers on the streets, where the occupation makes strangers out of friends.
With real historical figures and fictional characters woven onto such a rich background of tapestries, from the stages of the best musical halls in the world to staring war in the face, this trail is also a tour of the musical halls in and around Europe and the rise of a musical star as the rise of Hitler casts a dark cloud over Europe.
The blurb is slightly misleading in my opinion though as lavender or the significance of it has nothing really to do with the plot. It's a story of one woman's search for her place in the world, her love of music and her strength to break away from her poor background and to make something of herself. It's also a bit long if I'm honest and I think a shorter novel would have packed a stronger punch but having said that I loved being immersed in the backstage gossip and danger of the musical halls. This book should really come with a soundtrack!
Paris and Berlin
The two big cities of their time and the most iconic in the story. These are the cities Simone knows the best for she blossoms here and becomes the musical star she yearns to be. From such iconic places such as The World Fair, the Casino of Paris and the Folies Bergère she gets a name for herself but as war beckons and she falls into the group of the Resistance, her life takes a dangerous turn, Occupied Paris takes up most of the latter part of the story and its here where famous singers mingle with soldiers on the streets, where the occupation makes strangers out of friends.
balazs79's review against another edition
3.0
Sokáig nem értettem a könyv jó értékelését, egy végeláthatatlan monológot olvastam Simone életéről, ami nem volt se túlzottan érdekes, se fordulatos, szinte már unalmas. Nálam a háború „mentette meg” a könyvet, onnantól viszont kifejezetten izgalmas és jó lett, tetszett, hogy nem egy nagy „happy end”-be torkollt az egész, egy háború amúgy sem lehet soha az.
Nem bántam meg hogy elolvastam, de nagyon hosszú volt, és a könyv elég nagy része nam hagyott mély nyomot bennem.
Nem bántam meg hogy elolvastam, de nagyon hosszú volt, és a könyv elég nagy része nam hagyott mély nyomot bennem.