Fresh Water for Flowers is the first book by Valerie Perrin to be published in English. The writer’s native language is French. Fresh Water is a beautiful book that is told in a unique voice. Protagonist, Violette, was abandoned by her mother and grew up in care. She was a loner until she becomes involved with Phillipe Toussaint. Together they have a child but Phillipe eventually disappears.
Phillipe and Violette worked at a railroad crossing although Violette did most of the work; they later go on to become cemetery keepers. Violette remains there after Phillipe leaves.
The story is told from Violette’s point of view. She tells it all, her hard times, her hopes, the things that she learned and taught herself, the people she sees and cares for and those with whom she works. All this within the background of the cemetery and many sayings from gravestones.
This novel is filled with humanity. I recommend it.
I am reviewing the audio version. It was a beautiful listen and I was sorry when the story ended.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions are my own.
This is the third novel that I have read by Kate Morton and it is by far my favorite. I loved this novel! I am going to give it one of my rare five star reviews and say that it is one of my best reads of the year.
Aptly named with an allusion about time, The Clockmaker’s Daughter takes place in different periods including the 1860’s, 1899, 1928, WWII, 1962 and the present. Like the exquisite, interlocking, sensitive and perfectly balanced workings of a clock. the characters are connected over time and in their relationships. The revelations of the interconnections add depth and emotional resonance to the novel.
The plot is complex as would be expected in a novel that keeps the reader’s interest for over 500 pages. Characters include an artist, his model and their circle; the backstory of the model; the artist’s family; a young British girl sent to boarding school in England from India; an archivist; a biographer; a hunter of lost treasure and more. The most consistent and overarching presence is that of Birdie, the clockmaker’s daughter and artist’s model who is a spiritual (ghostly) presence throughout. For me Birdie worked perfectly even though I do not gravitate toward books with spirits. The other main character is the house where much of the story takes place. Within the pages there are mysteries, murder, love, grief, family and friendship.
I was sorry to finish this book as I enjoyed it so much. I hope that you will too.
Many, many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this wonderful and engrossing read.
Lauren Willig has written many novels including those in her Pink Carnation series. This title is based on true events; during WWI a unit of Smith College graduates traveled to France to offer aid and assistance. These real life volunteers are acknowledged at the beginning of the novel.
The book’s protagonist, Kate, was a scholarship student at Smith. This experience left her with an excellent education and some feelings of insecurity despite her friendship with the wealthy, Emmie. A few years after graduation, Emmie recruits Kate to be one of the fictional band of sisters of the title. These “sisters” include the married woman in charge of the volunteers, two female physicians and the other Smithies. Their experiences in France and the interrelationships of the characters form the basis for the story.
This book has an interesting premise and the story is well told. I especially enjoyed the letters that begin each chapter. My only quibble was that, at times, it was a bit difficult to differentiate the characters. Many, but not all, had a trait or relationship that helps the reader to keep track.
Willig includes information at the novel on her historical sources and the ways in which her own education led to the writing of this title.
Of note: I alternated between listening to the audio of this title and reading it. The audio was well produced and engaging. It is so nice to be able to follow a story by doing both. Also, I note the beautiful cover of the novel; it drew me in.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this title. All opinions are my own.
I was drawn to this book by the cover and the description. I stayed because it was an enjoyable historical fiction read that has a cast full of interesting characters, all of whom are well drawn.
The story takes place in the inter-war years when WWI was remembered and the circumstances that will lead to WWII are beginning to rear their head. Some strict societal rules exist still and, because of this, gardener, Robert Bardsley had to leave his job and a woman he loved. He lands at Anderby where he will try to restore the gardens. At Anderby, Robert (and the reader) will meet a range of characters including Anderby’s owner who got her money from industry, and her husband, who has a flirtatious eye. Some of the others are a teacher, an upper class woman on the outs with her family and a musician to name a few. They endeavor to live together on what seems like a commune.
What happens to these people and what happens when there is an outside challenge will keep readers following along. This is a nice book and one that it is easy to recommend. Spend a fictional year with these characters.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster U.K. for this title. All opinions are my own.
The Paris Bookseller is historical fiction about Sylvia Beach, those around her and her iconic bookstore, Shakespeare and Company. This is the story of a part of Sylvia’s life; it moves from when she began living in Paris and on into the 1930s. An author’s note at the end of the novel, gives information about Sylvia’s long life and what happened to her following the events of this story.
Readers learn early on that Sylvia was in a significant relationship with Adrienne. The author portrays great historical acceptance for gay relationships at that time. Adrienne, who owned a bookstore, encouraged Sylvia to open her own shop, one that was to feature books for English speakers. The two had a strong attraction to one another and lived together during the events described in the story.
Sylvia’s store becomes very popular with a number of ex pats, including Hemingway and Henry Miller. However, the author with whom Sylvia was most closely associated was James Joyce. She was instrumental in the initial publication of Ulysses. The struggle around getting the book written and published make up much of the novel.
The characters in the story are real people who are brought to imaginative life. I was especially struck by the way in which Joyce was portrayed. True, he was an iconic author but he was also a difficult, narcissistic and needy man in these pages.
Author, Kerri Maher, does a good job of depicting a place, the people who dwelt there and the importance of books. I also enjoyed the way in which daily life, food and more came into the novel.
Those who enjoy historical fiction are likely to want to read this novel. I rate it at four stars.
From the Publisher
Editorial Reviews
Review
“A beautiful ode to Sylvia Beach, the renowned Shakespeare and Company owner, a real-life heroine who has left her mark on us all.” —Marie Benedict, New York Times bestselling coauthor of The Personal Librarian
“If you ever dreamed you could transport yourself to Paris in the twenties, to Sylvia Beach’s famous bookstore, Shakespeare and Company, where Joyce, Hemingway, and Pound wandered the aisles, this story’s for you. Maher’s magical touch brings to life a woman whose struggles resonate in today’s world, while also examining the intricacies of friendship, fortitude, and the love of the written word.” —Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Lions of Fifth Avenue
“The Paris Bookseller is a novel I long to live in, a vivid evocation of the famous female-owned Parisian bookshop Shakespeare and Company which acted as haven and home to the literati of pre-WWII Europe. Heroine and shop owner Sylvia Beach shepherds seemingly all of the great writers of the 20th century with an appealing blend of warmth, wit, frustration, and understanding. Kerri Maher writes a love letter to books, bookstores, and booklovers everywhere.” —Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Rose Code
“A story about Paris and bookshops was bound to find a place in my heart but this one has the pièce de résistance: the character of Sylvia Beach. I was completely enthralled by Beach’s life and her tenacity in founding the first English-language bookshop in Paris, while also publishing James Joyce’s epic but controversial Ulysses. With an abundance of delightful cameos from all of your favourite literary heroes as well as a fascinating rendering of Paris’s glory days during the 1920s and 30s, this novel will transport you as only the best historical fiction can.” —Natasha Lester, New York Times bestselling author of The Paris Secret
Native Hawaiian Ackerman sets her newest novel in a place she knows well and clearly loves. I am sure that, like Iwa, she is concerned about the ecology of the island.
Two people meet. They are Iwa and Dane. Each has feelings for Hawaii though their work and hopes for the island may differ. When they meet, what will happen? How will their pasts influence their futures? Throw is rain forests, surfing, Portugal and the novel moves forward.
Those who like books with settings that are vividly brought to life will enjoy this title. The same is true for those who like to read romances.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the team at HTP for this title. All opinions are my own.
This free collection includes excerpts from 18 forthcoming titles in the genre. Included are General/Adult, New Adult and, Young Adult titles. These are rated on a “heat scale.” This ranges from one 🔥 to five 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥, from a story that has no sex through those with explicit intimate scenes.
At the beginning of each excerpt, readers find this heat level with an additional descriptor of categories. For example, The Devil She Knows by Alexandria Bellefleur is described as heat level four and is categorized as General/Adult-LGBTQ-Paranormal-Rom Com. There is also a summary of what each book is about.
Characters may be divorced, widowed, younger, older so lots of variety here. The novels also take place in locations varying from Paris to tennis courts and much in between.
Recommended to those who want to plan their romance reading.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Publishers Lunch-Buzz Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 