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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
Not a classic WWII read, but in that way I almost enjoyed it more. It told the complicated story of different backgrounds during and after the war, with a beautiful ending.
I decided as I was coming to the end of this story that I’d give it two stars, but then the ending made me cry (it’s really not hard!) and there was a little twist I didn’t see coming, so thought it deserved an extra star.
This, unsurprisingly from me, is an historical fiction novel!
Set during WWII in the Champagne area of France, it follows the lives of the people involved in one particular Champagne house (a fictional one, based on the real one that is there).
Michel is the owner, married to Inès, but not entirely happy. When the Germans occupy France and start to make demands of the region, Michel is one of the resistance.
Inès, Michael’s wife, is self centred, inexperienced in the winemaking business, and young. She struggles after the initial wedding bliss wears off and becomes entangled in things she should have tried to avoid.
Céline is the wife of the ‘chef de cave’ - the person who blends the champagnes to create their specific tastes. She has no time for Inès and makes her feel inferior.
The stories of these three characters are told in conjunction with Liv, an American who has just finalised her divorce at the very start of the book, before her 99 year old French grandmother rocks up, whisks her off to France where she tries to tell her the history of her ancestors, but actually proceeds to tell her nothing during the entirety of the book, leaving the actual storytelling to her lawyer, who Liv conveniently IMMEDIATELY falls in love with. Of course she does. The whole thing was too convenient and easy. Boring.
The book is researched very well, but my god the characters are annoying! Not likeable, all shallow. Inès does not take the German invasion or subsequent ‘transportation’ of Jews seriously at all which I find unbelievable during WWII. The Liv/lawyer love story is just a rush and far too convenient
This, unsurprisingly from me, is an historical fiction novel!
Set during WWII in the Champagne area of France, it follows the lives of the people involved in one particular Champagne house (a fictional one, based on the real one that is there).
Michel is the owner, married to Inès, but not entirely happy. When the Germans occupy France and start to make demands of the region, Michel is one of the resistance.
Inès, Michael’s wife, is self centred, inexperienced in the winemaking business, and young. She struggles after the initial wedding bliss wears off and becomes entangled in things she should have tried to avoid.
Céline is the wife of the ‘chef de cave’ - the person who blends the champagnes to create their specific tastes. She has no time for Inès and makes her feel inferior.
The stories of these three characters are told in conjunction with Liv, an American who has just finalised her divorce at the very start of the book, before her 99 year old French grandmother rocks up, whisks her off to France where she tries to tell her the history of her ancestors, but actually proceeds to tell her nothing during the entirety of the book, leaving the actual storytelling to her lawyer, who Liv conveniently IMMEDIATELY falls in love with. Of course she does. The whole thing was too convenient and easy. Boring.
The book is researched very well, but my god the characters are annoying! Not likeable, all shallow. Inès does not take the German invasion or subsequent ‘transportation’ of Jews seriously at all which I find unbelievable during WWII. The Liv/lawyer love story is just a rush and far too convenient
I was very invested for about 60% of the book but the last half really struggled to keep my attention. Not sure why
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Didn’t me do it for me. I don’t blame the book, I just would’ve preferred more emphasis on the historical events versus the people’s love story but …. It is called the winemakers wife so it’s kinda on me.
I loved the historical context surrounding the wineries in France during WW2. The protagonist was naive, self absorbed, totally clueless and annoying. Her speaking before thinking triggered some major incidents. While she remained a little annoying through the end, she did learn through her mistakes.
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this book- historical fiction, WW2 era, wine, author i've previously liked, seemed like I should be set up for success, but it was just okay for me. I felt the beginning was really slow and I just never really got attached to the characters. It got better towards the end and didn't hate it. Overall I wouldnt send somebody out of their way to read it but wouldn't tell somebody not to read it either