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hmothertucker's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
4.5
ravit's review against another edition
3.0
שעות הקטיפה הוא רומן היסטורי שכמו רבים מהז'אנר מערב מציאות ודמיון. ההשראה לספר היא דירה בפריז שנתגלתה בשנת 2010 לאחר שבמשך שבעה עשורים, מאז מלחמת העולם השניה, נשארה נעולה. הדירה שעיצובה תואם דווקא את תקופת הבל אפוק, היתה בבעלות מרת דה פלוריאן, קורטיזונה שרשימץ המאהבים שלה כללה דמויות מוכרות בחברה הצרפתית הגבוהה באותם שנים. הסיפור עצמו תווה עלילה דמיונית על בסיס התגליות ועובר בין סיפור חייה של מרת דה פלוריאן והקשר המיוחד שנוצר בינה ובין נכדתה שפגשה אותה לראשונה בגיל 19, ומתעדת את חייה ברומן שהיא כותבת בהתבסס על המפגשים. כל זאת ברקע פרוץ מלחמת העולם השניה. בספר הזה, כמו ב"אהבה אבודה" למי שקרא, ניכר כי הרומן מבוסס על מחקר מעמיק, ועם זאת הוא אינו מגיע לעומקים ולעניין של "אהבה אבודה" אך עדיין מספק כמה שעות של קריאה מהנה.
grandma610's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
windeekae's review against another edition
4.0
This was my first book by Alyson Richman and I'm going to have to read some of her other books. While this is billed as Historical Fiction set in WWII - I think most of the book takes place in an earlier time period.
The book is about Solange who after her mother dies - gets a little restless. Her father introduces her to her grandmother that she has never met to see if they can spend time together. The grandmother begins to tell Solange her story and the two become quite close.
I totally became engrossed in this book. I liked both Solange and Marthe and their character development. This book was a nice easy read and it didn't take me long to finish.
I liked the book even more when I read that this book was based on a newspaper article on Marthe's apartment.
I received this as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
The book is about Solange who after her mother dies - gets a little restless. Her father introduces her to her grandmother that she has never met to see if they can spend time together. The grandmother begins to tell Solange her story and the two become quite close.
I totally became engrossed in this book. I liked both Solange and Marthe and their character development. This book was a nice easy read and it didn't take me long to finish.
I liked the book even more when I read that this book was based on a newspaper article on Marthe's apartment.
I received this as an advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
justthatbookishbabe's review against another edition
5.0
I am so happy I was given the chance to read an ARC of this book. It is superbly written with a great deal of details. The story is set in Paris, France and it is a tale of a grandmother and her daughter. There stories woven together with love, laughter, and tears. Romantic and deep with emotions this book will be recommended to many of my friends.
thepolishedbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
The mixture of the timelines from the 1880s to 1940s is a great blend. This is a story about family but not in the manner of traditional roles as were in these times. I really enjoyed listening to Solange and her grandmother's relationship and their storyline together. While World War II is going on during this story it is not a heavy focus until the end. If you like dual timelines and family this one is for you.
thoughtsfromapage's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
While I really liked the entire book a lot, the beginning and the ending were outstanding. The start of the book perfectly set the stage for the entire story, and the ending wrapped it up beautifully. The Velvet Hours focuses on the lives of two women: Marthe de Florian, a member of the demi-monde, whose story begins in the late 1800’s and Solange, a young woman living in Paris during World War II. As the story unfolds, Solange learns she is related to Marthe and begins visiting her regularly. During these visits, Marthe relays the story of her intriguing life and the magnificent painting of Marthe that hangs in her spectacular Belle Epoque-era apartment.
Alyson Richman’s focus on detail really makes this book. Her in-depth descriptions of the fashions worn by Marthe, the collections of art accumulated by Marthe and even the apartment itself are incredible. The author clearly did her research, and her ability to so vividly depict the characters and the setting is just fabulous.
As always, one of my favorite parts about historical fiction is learning more about the time period involved and placing people and culturally significant items from an era in their context. Richman focuses a lot on fashion and haute couture from the Belle Epoque era, and I enjoyed looking up and learning about some of the famous designers from this era in Paris such as the Callot Soeurs. She also threw in a reference to H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George, who fled Europe during Hitler’s reign. I have always loved Curious George and had no idea that the Reys had left Europe with so many others in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. One of my other favorite parts about historical fiction is when an author includes an Author’s Notes section with information relating to the genesis of the novel and information regarding the historical aspects of the novel. Richman includes a wonderfully detailed Author’s Note regarding her inspiration for the novel (which is partially based on a true event), and the limited information she was able to find regarding the actual participants. I found that section absolutely fascinating.
I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to First to Read for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I really liked the entire book a lot, the beginning and the ending were outstanding. The start of the book perfectly set the stage for the entire story, and the ending wrapped it up beautifully. The Velvet Hours focuses on the lives of two women: Marthe de Florian, a member of the demi-monde, whose story begins in the late 1800’s and Solange, a young woman living in Paris during World War II. As the story unfolds, Solange learns she is related to Marthe and begins visiting her regularly. During these visits, Marthe relays the story of her intriguing life and the magnificent painting of Marthe that hangs in her spectacular Belle Epoque-era apartment.
Alyson Richman’s focus on detail really makes this book. Her in-depth descriptions of the fashions worn by Marthe, the collections of art accumulated by Marthe and even the apartment itself are incredible. The author clearly did her research, and her ability to so vividly depict the characters and the setting is just fabulous.
As always, one of my favorite parts about historical fiction is learning more about the time period involved and placing people and culturally significant items from an era in their context. Richman focuses a lot on fashion and haute couture from the Belle Epoque era, and I enjoyed looking up and learning about some of the famous designers from this era in Paris such as the Callot Soeurs. She also threw in a reference to H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George, who fled Europe during Hitler’s reign. I have always loved Curious George and had no idea that the Reys had left Europe with so many others in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. One of my other favorite parts about historical fiction is when an author includes an Author’s Notes section with information relating to the genesis of the novel and information regarding the historical aspects of the novel. Richman includes a wonderfully detailed Author’s Note regarding her inspiration for the novel (which is partially based on a true event), and the limited information she was able to find regarding the actual participants. I found that section absolutely fascinating.
I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to First to Read for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
reyna_bm's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
crazeedi73's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, it's based on some truth which makes it even better.