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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
I'm a huge fan of Cross-Smith and was hesitant to read this because, based on reviews, I thought this was a romance set in Paris, two things I generally avoid. While it is set in Paris (see below for my thoughts on how American writers just can't depict Parisian life accurately), it is NOT a romance. This is a romance like Doctor Zhivago and Lady Chatterley's Lover are romance.
For me, it's straight-up literary fiction with a bold feminist twist--so much so that I found it to be almost *too* obvious!-- but I guess that was a tough line for Cross-Smith to tread because I can see from the reviews here that it went over many heads.
We have an endless number of male-authored books featuring our male protagonist in a transitional space who processes by having sex with lots of women or lots of sex with one woman. Cross-Smith wrote that book, but with a female protagonist. Come on, she even gave her a man's name--was that not flashbulbs for everyone else? Oh and she's wealthy and Black, because why not inject some Black joy into the world? Some reviewers seem unhappy with that choice, but I found it extraordinarily intentional and successful.
A couple of other corrections to the many reviews stating otherwise: This is not an affair, our protagonist has very clearly left her husband. She ends the relationship, moves to a different continent for a year. I mean, sure they're still legally married, but it didn't occur to me once that this was an extra-marital affair until I read reviews expressing their discomfort over this (LOL). Second, the ending is clear as day. Sure, Cross-Smith doesn't literally spell it out for you, but like...reread the last few pages and it's obvious? So if either of those things concern you, don't worry about it.
As for writing Paris well, that's where this fell short. Although the French was largely accurate and lots of details were spot-on, there will always be some funny gaps that you'd never notice unless you were French or lived in France.
Realistic:
-American living in Paris buying their bread and produce from Franprix.
Getting catcalled because your coat covers your dress.
-Protagonist and her lover wait a very long time to say that they love each other. Not culturally accurate, but realistic portrayal based on the context.
Unrealistic:
-French people switch to franglais around Americans. LOL no.
-American protagonist befriends French woman and they are casually saying I love you to each other within months. Yes, even though they became BFFs in that timeframe, which is also unrealistic.
-Throuple/triad show up to a party and no one bats an eye. Perhaps this might be more realistic in The Arts crowd, but in general French people are VERY conservative in this regard.
-Protaganist calls out sick from teaching a class because of her period and is told nbd, get well.
-Most baffling: French lover says s’il vous plaît to protagonist? Why so formal, Loup??
For me, it's straight-up literary fiction with a bold feminist twist--so much so that I found it to be almost *too* obvious!-- but I guess that was a tough line for Cross-Smith to tread because I can see from the reviews here that it went over many heads.
We have an endless number of male-authored books featuring our male protagonist in a transitional space who processes by having sex with lots of women or lots of sex with one woman. Cross-Smith wrote that book, but with a female protagonist. Come on, she even gave her a man's name--was that not flashbulbs for everyone else? Oh and she's wealthy and Black, because why not inject some Black joy into the world? Some reviewers seem unhappy with that choice, but I found it extraordinarily intentional and successful.
A couple of other corrections to the many reviews stating otherwise: This is not an affair, our protagonist has very clearly left her husband. She ends the relationship, moves to a different continent for a year. I mean, sure they're still legally married, but it didn't occur to me once that this was an extra-marital affair until I read reviews expressing their discomfort over this (LOL). Second, the ending is clear as day. Sure, Cross-Smith doesn't literally spell it out for you, but like...reread the last few pages and it's obvious? So if either of those things concern you, don't worry about it.
As for writing Paris well, that's where this fell short. Although the French was largely accurate and lots of details were spot-on, there will always be some funny gaps that you'd never notice unless you were French or lived in France.
Realistic:
-American living in Paris buying their bread and produce from Franprix.
Getting catcalled because your coat covers your dress.
-Protagonist and her lover wait a very long time to say that they love each other. Not culturally accurate, but realistic portrayal based on the context.
Unrealistic:
-French people switch to franglais around Americans. LOL no.
-American protagonist befriends French woman and they are casually saying I love you to each other within months. Yes, even though they became BFFs in that timeframe, which is also unrealistic.
-Throuple/triad show up to a party and no one bats an eye. Perhaps this might be more realistic in The Arts crowd, but in general French people are VERY conservative in this regard.
-Protaganist calls out sick from teaching a class because of her period and is told nbd, get well.
-Most baffling: French lover says s’il vous plaît to protagonist? Why so formal, Loup??
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a relief to me—loved reading something with beautiful, poetic language that centered an artistic, sexual Black woman with desire, a complicated history, and the money to pursue her desires with some ease l.
Sensual. Sexual. Scenic.
Atmospheric. Romantic. Fulfilling.
I have the best-kind-of-complicated feelings about
Atmospheric. Romantic. Fulfilling.
I have the best-kind-of-complicated feelings about
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
“She felt a lot of things, but never lonely. Lonely let can be a negative word. Alone is neutral. She likes feeling alone.”
This did not compare to The Idea of You at all and I am so bummed. Weird book
DNF at 50%. Great writing, great sense of place and character. But, spent a lot of time on "open door" thoughts and deeds - I would like to have had more about all of the arc the relationships than that much focus on desire.
I think this is a book I need to sit with for a while and think about to really accurately assess how I feel about it, and why I enjoyed it as much as I did. I can say I’ve never read a book quite like this, and I really think it will sit with me for a long time. The prose is incredibly beautiful, as a bonus.
The other day I said to my husband, “Do you think we’ll ever travel again? I want to visit Paris!” I know when we do make it to the City of Love, I will expect to run into Vincent and Loup, the main characters in this compelling story, because that’s just how real they feel.
Vincent (after Van Gogh) is an incredible protagonist who moves to Paris and has a passionate affair with 24 year old Timothée Chalamet lookalike Loup. We learn all about her passions, her talents, her desires, her family, and her estranged husband Cillian - and what drove Vincent to take space from him. I thought I would feel frustrated with her choices, but watching her embrace all parts of her life with openness and happiness was so fulfilling as a reader and as a woman.
Everything about Half-Blown Rose was gorgeous. The prose is as immersive as it gets, and at times I forgot I was reading a book because I felt like I was there with the characters. That sounds cheesy, but it so rarely happens to me that I felt the need to share it in my review.
Tense. Sexy. Propulsive. Beautiful. Complex. Character-Driven. Stunning.
I absolutely adored this book and will be back for more of Cross-Smith’s work because she is an extraordinary story teller.
Read if you like character driven stories full of self-discovery, sexual freedom, professional fulfillment, and true connections amongst the cast of characters.
Five glowing stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy. On sale 31/05!
Vincent (after Van Gogh) is an incredible protagonist who moves to Paris and has a passionate affair with 24 year old Timothée Chalamet lookalike Loup. We learn all about her passions, her talents, her desires, her family, and her estranged husband Cillian - and what drove Vincent to take space from him. I thought I would feel frustrated with her choices, but watching her embrace all parts of her life with openness and happiness was so fulfilling as a reader and as a woman.
Everything about Half-Blown Rose was gorgeous. The prose is as immersive as it gets, and at times I forgot I was reading a book because I felt like I was there with the characters. That sounds cheesy, but it so rarely happens to me that I felt the need to share it in my review.
Tense. Sexy. Propulsive. Beautiful. Complex. Character-Driven. Stunning.
I absolutely adored this book and will be back for more of Cross-Smith’s work because she is an extraordinary story teller.
Read if you like character driven stories full of self-discovery, sexual freedom, professional fulfillment, and true connections amongst the cast of characters.
Five glowing stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to Grand Central Publishing for my gifted copy. On sale 31/05!
There seem to be mixed reviews about this one and while I can understand why, I STILL LOVED IT. This entire novel was so detailed on Vincent’s overall experience in Paris, that it made me feel like I was there. So much art, culture, food, music - and did I mention her Parisian lover? Also the ending completely shocked me to my core and I NEED ANSWERS!!!! What a beautiful written story!