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kathleenww's review against another edition
5.0
My Amazon review, ARC
I know this book was originally published in 1947, but it is completely new to American readers. If you loved any of Irène Némirovsky's other books (I've read and loved Suite Francaise and Fire in the Blood) you should also LOVE this beauty of a book.
If Ms Némirovsky had survived the war, I imagine she would have become a most powerful writer. Her observations of life and love, especially in times of hardship and distress are very astute and well crafted. I'm sure this also has something to do with the excellent work of translator Sandra Smith, who should be given credit for translating the poetic prose of Némirovsky into a lovely English language novel, yet still true to its author's intentions, I'm sure.
The story is of two French Provincial families, and they truly embody the meaning of the word "provincial." Before the start of World War 1, the Hardelot and Florents families both lived idyllic and worry free lives. Their biggest concern was marrying off their children to just the right person: arranged marriages were still attempted, but in the case of these families from the small town of Saint Elme, the arrangements fall through. The elders of the families struggle to regain the control they have exerted over the children, but war and passion rip anyone's control of their quiet lives away from them.
Némirovsky's character studies are contemporary and universal, very appealing. I highly recommend this novel and her ot
I know this book was originally published in 1947, but it is completely new to American readers. If you loved any of Irène Némirovsky's other books (I've read and loved Suite Francaise and Fire in the Blood) you should also LOVE this beauty of a book.
If Ms Némirovsky had survived the war, I imagine she would have become a most powerful writer. Her observations of life and love, especially in times of hardship and distress are very astute and well crafted. I'm sure this also has something to do with the excellent work of translator Sandra Smith, who should be given credit for translating the poetic prose of Némirovsky into a lovely English language novel, yet still true to its author's intentions, I'm sure.
The story is of two French Provincial families, and they truly embody the meaning of the word "provincial." Before the start of World War 1, the Hardelot and Florents families both lived idyllic and worry free lives. Their biggest concern was marrying off their children to just the right person: arranged marriages were still attempted, but in the case of these families from the small town of Saint Elme, the arrangements fall through. The elders of the families struggle to regain the control they have exerted over the children, but war and passion rip anyone's control of their quiet lives away from them.
Némirovsky's character studies are contemporary and universal, very appealing. I highly recommend this novel and her ot
kiriamarin's review against another edition
Conta a estória de duas famílias burguesas entrelaçadas por as duas grandes guerras e revés de fortunas e mudanças sociais que se seguem,da geração louca e perdida no pós guerra. Centrado pelo amor entre Agnes e Pierre.
Uma narrativa bem escrita mas tradicional, não me deixou uma forte impressão como o curto e excelente "El Baile".
Uma narrativa bem escrita mas tradicional, não me deixou uma forte impressão como o curto e excelente "El Baile".
albarodriguez_p's review against another edition
4.0
Un libro corto, pero lleno de emociones. Muy bueno
christiek's review against another edition
4.0
This book picks up where Jane Austen leaves off. She does it with her own characters and they are French. Our misclassed lovers have their happy beginning when the factory owner's son decides to ditch the fiancee his parents chose for her dowry and to please the patriarch for the merchant's daughter. They accept their exile and his disinheritance and live happily ever after meeting head on all sorts of difficulties through the early part of the 20th century.
Nemirovsky has an eloquent way of showing us that people everywhere and in every time are awfully alike. She gracefully moves her characters through their generational roles without a hitch.
Nemirovsky has an eloquent way of showing us that people everywhere and in every time are awfully alike. She gracefully moves her characters through their generational roles without a hitch.
lynnedf's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! A simple tale of love and living. Nothing torrid, nothing shocking. Nothing to keep you on your toes. But it's so well written you don't care ... or need any of that. This books starts off on the beaches of Normandy in 1910 and takes us all the way to Paris and back, through the Great War and into the beginings of the second world war. I think I loved it because she was writting about things that had either just happened, or were happening. There is no 20 - 20 hindsight, there is not thoughtful gap between the war and the writing of the book. It is simply a story of the times, about the times. If you loved Suite Française - then you should give this book a try. I think you'll soon fall in love with it.
pmg227's review against another edition
4.0
I received this as a Goodreads First Reads book. This is a book of two families in France from 1911 to 1940. It's a story of love, family expectations, and hope that never fails in spite of wars, rumor of wars, and family pressure.
Pierre and Agnes were childhood friends, though it was a friendship their parents did not encourage and marriage was unthinkable. 'the bourgeoisie didn't mingle with the lower middle classes.' However, Pierre and Agnes declare their love for each other and the book goes on to tell of their lives through the years which includes two wars and their own son's forbidden loves.
Nemirovsky did a good job of developing her characters and showing what France was like in the early part of the twentieth century and also the changes that came about in France, both in social and business settings.
As I read and felt the hope of Nemirovsky's characters, I couldn't help but think of the irony of Nemirovsky's own fate. Her family left Russia to escape the Russian Revolution. However, Nemirovsky herself was a victim of war, dying at Auschwitz, and this book was not published until five years after her death.
Pierre and Agnes were childhood friends, though it was a friendship their parents did not encourage and marriage was unthinkable. 'the bourgeoisie didn't mingle with the lower middle classes.' However, Pierre and Agnes declare their love for each other and the book goes on to tell of their lives through the years which includes two wars and their own son's forbidden loves.
Nemirovsky did a good job of developing her characters and showing what France was like in the early part of the twentieth century and also the changes that came about in France, both in social and business settings.
As I read and felt the hope of Nemirovsky's characters, I couldn't help but think of the irony of Nemirovsky's own fate. Her family left Russia to escape the Russian Revolution. However, Nemirovsky herself was a victim of war, dying at Auschwitz, and this book was not published until five years after her death.
astroneatly's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
4.25
missyanne1919's review against another edition
4.0
I love Nemirovsky's writing. She was a Jewish woman born in Russia, fled to France with her family, and ended up dying at Auschwitz. Written in French by a non-native and translated into English, the language is still powerful, poignant, and offers a razor-sharp observation of human nature. Characters show their true colors in crisis. Though Suite Francaise is incomplete, I prefer that novel to this one. All Our Worldly Goods paired with Suite Francaise offer a look into war-time and occupied France. And as you read them, it's hard to forget about the author's demise.
remanso's review against another edition
4.0
"Pero ella ya no sentía ni pena ni fatiga. Le parecía que había recogido su cosecha, que había recibido toda la riqueza, todo el amor, la risa y las lágrimas que Dios le debía, y que ahora todo había terminado..."
middleditch's review
4.0
An interesting perspective on the war - from the people left behind and the trials they must endure. A story of generations of a rich and privileged family - their loves and losses - experiencing the same heartbreaks and deprivations as the lower classes. A good translation from French.