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tristans_library 's review for:
The Beekeeper's Promise
by Fiona Valpy
The Beekeeper's Promise is an intensely powerful WWII historical fiction about trauma, the power of courage, and the road to healing.
This book had so many things that made it diffficult to put down- beekeeping in a French chateau, spies, underground tunnels, romance and strong female characters. It is told through two alternating timelines.
During WWII, Eliane works as a beekeeper at Chateau Bellevue. When the chateau becones living quarters for the German military, Eliane and her loved ones are forced to make some difficult and risky decisions.
In current times, Abi is escaping a life of solitude following an accident which killed her husband. She goes on a yoga retreat to France where her life yakes an interesting turn. One day, she meets Sara and Thomas, who now run Chateau Bellevue as a wedding venue. They offer her a job which she accepts.
During their shifts, Sara tells Abi the story of Eliane. Abi begins to heal from the trauma of her abusive marriage as she compares the strength, courage and resistance of Eliane and her family to her own situation.
Parts of Abi's story were too unrealistic for me, which was the only thing keeping me from rating this book 5 stars. I did enjoy how Elaine's story helped Abi work through her current problems. We can learn a lot from history - which is why historical fiction is my favorite genre.
I really liked how the behavior of bees was used to help Eliane and her loved ones find courage during the most trying times of WWII. Overall, I definitely recommend this book!
This book had so many things that made it diffficult to put down- beekeeping in a French chateau, spies, underground tunnels, romance and strong female characters. It is told through two alternating timelines.
During WWII, Eliane works as a beekeeper at Chateau Bellevue. When the chateau becones living quarters for the German military, Eliane and her loved ones are forced to make some difficult and risky decisions.
In current times, Abi is escaping a life of solitude following an accident which killed her husband. She goes on a yoga retreat to France where her life yakes an interesting turn. One day, she meets Sara and Thomas, who now run Chateau Bellevue as a wedding venue. They offer her a job which she accepts.
During their shifts, Sara tells Abi the story of Eliane. Abi begins to heal from the trauma of her abusive marriage as she compares the strength, courage and resistance of Eliane and her family to her own situation.
Parts of Abi's story were too unrealistic for me, which was the only thing keeping me from rating this book 5 stars. I did enjoy how Elaine's story helped Abi work through her current problems. We can learn a lot from history - which is why historical fiction is my favorite genre.
I really liked how the behavior of bees was used to help Eliane and her loved ones find courage during the most trying times of WWII. Overall, I definitely recommend this book!