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A review by kathleenww
All Our Worldly Goods by Irène Némirovsky
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