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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
fast-paced
2.5 stars.
I just did not like this a lot - it left me feeling sad and grey.
The focus of the book was essentially a series of affairs between those at the House Chauveneau during the time of WWII. I was not a fan of all the drama, and I was longing for a more widescale view of the winemakers of France during the way!
Additionally, Inès was not a sympathetic character. She was selfish, naive, dramatic, and foolish. Realistic? Maybe. But pleasant and a compelling heroine? No.
Even Michel, Cèline, and Theo were not very interesting characters to read about. The emotional disconnect between me and them was massive, especially considering the objectively emotional topics of affair, war, resistance, etc.
And I didn't really like the current timeline snippets either - though I generally don't love that in historical fiction books (but everyone loves to do it...). While it did connect to the past timeline, it was not satisfying or surprising. More like a fact. Just there. Emotionless. (do you see a theme? very little emotional connection present for me with this story.)
Moreover, the whole moral of this story seems to be that people are grey - sometimes, our "heroes" are bad people, or do bad things. But this was unsatisfactory to me. Yes, yes, people are more than a black and white spectrum of good and bad. But to me, when reading about such an awful time as WWII where millions of people were discriminated against, persecuted, and quite literally killed, I want the hero to be compelling. I want to focus on the good aspects of humanity - I want a light. And this book, unfortunately, was barely out of the darkness.
Slight spoiler, but at the end, we see Inès still struggling with her guilt and sorrow from all she had done. At the very least, I wanted redemption for her. Some happiness, some small peace. But the story ends with her running away from all of her self-proclaimed sins.
So, why the 2.5 stars? The imagery and unique perspective of the story had me intrigued. I did read this book in basically one day, so the pacing and escalation of tension were on point. Unfortunately, the characters, emotions, and themes fell utterly flat.
I just did not like this a lot - it left me feeling sad and grey.
The focus of the book was essentially a series of affairs between those at the House Chauveneau during the time of WWII. I was not a fan of all the drama, and I was longing for a more widescale view of the winemakers of France during the way!
Additionally, Inès was not a sympathetic character. She was selfish, naive, dramatic, and foolish. Realistic? Maybe. But pleasant and a compelling heroine? No.
Even Michel, Cèline, and Theo were not very interesting characters to read about. The emotional disconnect between me and them was massive, especially considering the objectively emotional topics of affair, war, resistance, etc.
And I didn't really like the current timeline snippets either - though I generally don't love that in historical fiction books (but everyone loves to do it...). While it did connect to the past timeline, it was not satisfying or surprising. More like a fact. Just there. Emotionless. (do you see a theme? very little emotional connection present for me with this story.)
Moreover, the whole moral of this story seems to be that people are grey - sometimes, our "heroes" are bad people, or do bad things. But this was unsatisfactory to me. Yes, yes, people are more than a black and white spectrum of good and bad. But to me, when reading about such an awful time as WWII where millions of people were discriminated against, persecuted, and quite literally killed, I want the hero to be compelling. I want to focus on the good aspects of humanity - I want a light. And this book, unfortunately, was barely out of the darkness.
Slight spoiler, but at the end, we see Inès still struggling with her guilt and sorrow from all she had done. At the very least, I wanted redemption for her. Some happiness, some small peace. But the story ends with her running away from all of her self-proclaimed sins.
So, why the 2.5 stars? The imagery and unique perspective of the story had me intrigued. I did read this book in basically one day, so the pacing and escalation of tension were on point. Unfortunately, the characters, emotions, and themes fell utterly flat.
adventurous
emotional
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
3.5 Stars. The ending makes up for the book. Definitely need to enjoy a glass of champagne with this book.
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I liked this story buuut I figured out the end a little too early. It was an ok WWII fiction.
I could not put this book down. What a great story!
I love books where good people do bad things, human things. It makes a story so much more believable.
Reims is now firmly placed on my must see places whenever I get back to France.
I love books where good people do bad things, human things. It makes a story so much more believable.
Reims is now firmly placed on my must see places whenever I get back to France.
hopeful
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Infidelity, Rape, Grief, Murder, Pregnancy, War
Minor: Genocide, Sexual assault, Antisemitism, Car accident
interesting read
I enjoyed learning about the role that the wine makers had during World War II. I felt the book be a little bit soap opera thou. I always find it amazing when someone gets divorced and then the first person they meet is the love of their life. It was very interesting to find out more about the resistance movement in France.
I enjoyed learning about the role that the wine makers had during World War II. I felt the book be a little bit soap opera thou. I always find it amazing when someone gets divorced and then the first person they meet is the love of their life. It was very interesting to find out more about the resistance movement in France.