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chelsbethbaute's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. This book was fascinating and not at all what I expected.
fawnponzar's review against another edition
5.0
Beautifully written, scandalous, yet wholesome, this was an enjoyable read. I love the modern-antiquity of this historical fiction inspired by a true story. I also remember reading the news article and scrolling through the pictures of this abandoned Parisian apartment, so I was excited to make that connection in the book. There are so many loops and connections in history and the present that keep amazing me. I would read more by this author for sure.
pianorunner421's review against another edition
5.0
There are a lot of books written about this time period, but this one has a very unique plot line. So good I read it in one day!
alliepeduto's review against another edition
4.0
What an incredible novel! Truly what surprised me the most was discovering that the author was inspired by an actual apartment in Paris. The apartment has remained sealed for 70 years and wasn’t found until Solange, the owner, passed away in 2010. I can only imagine that the real life version of Marthe and Solange were as vivid and incredible as they were portrayed here, but I loved the story the author presented.
The undertones of the Jewish experience at the start of the French invasion were a stark contrast to the opulence of Marthe’s life as a courtesan. But I feel that aspect made the story even more believable; at the end of the day, we are all searching for safety and connection. I truly enjoyed this and I hope others feel the same while reading it!
The undertones of the Jewish experience at the start of the French invasion were a stark contrast to the opulence of Marthe’s life as a courtesan. But I feel that aspect made the story even more believable; at the end of the day, we are all searching for safety and connection. I truly enjoyed this and I hope others feel the same while reading it!
cebaute's review against another edition
4.0
4.5. This book was fascinating and not at all what I expected.
jackaroni_with_cheese's review against another edition
5.0
This book made me laugh, it made me cry. Now that it's over it's sitting with me making me ponder what I've just read. My heart is broken but full.
danasaur's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
oligan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
4.75
lynniew13's review against another edition
5.0
Some words I enjoyed:
"The mind is a gateway for desire, for that is where all our secret fantasies are stored" (228).
"I suppose because I never had children around me, ones that I could mark time by the way they grew or the milestones the achieved, I didn't feel the passage of time like most women" (239).
"Pour giver heureux, vivons caches... To live happily, live hidden" (311).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323297/Inside-Paris-apartment-untouched-70-years-Treasure-trove-finally-revealed-owner-locked-fled-outbreak-WWII.html
"The mind is a gateway for desire, for that is where all our secret fantasies are stored" (228).
"I suppose because I never had children around me, ones that I could mark time by the way they grew or the milestones the achieved, I didn't feel the passage of time like most women" (239).
"Pour giver heureux, vivons caches... To live happily, live hidden" (311).
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2323297/Inside-Paris-apartment-untouched-70-years-Treasure-trove-finally-revealed-owner-locked-fled-outbreak-WWII.html
kim_m's review against another edition
3.0
I loved her other books, Garden of Letters and The Lost Wife. This one starts strong and is a compelling read but seems to fall apart in the second half. I'd give the first half 5 stars and the second half 2 stars.