booksintheirnaturalhabitat's review against another edition
4.0
Paris Never Leaves you is a compelling book of the lengths people will go to for the ones they love. Charlotte is working in a bookstore during the height of WWII and is doing everything she can to take care of her daughter Vivi. She hates what is happening to her city and the people who running things, but perhaps one of them might have some redeeming qualities that could save them. Then again, Charlotte may let her pride get the best of her instead.
As the book alternates between Charlotte’s present and past, the truth about Charlotte and Vivi comes out. Will it completely turn their world upside down or will they survive this too?
I really enjoyed this book – first, for the obvious reason that I too love books and bookstores. Secondly, the inner battles Charlotte has with herself constantly really felt true to the time period; does one do what they have to to survive, or do they stick to their ethics and take whatever comes?
If you are a WWII historical fiction buff like me, like alternating timelines and tense moments, this is a book you’ll want to grab a copy of.
As the book alternates between Charlotte’s present and past, the truth about Charlotte and Vivi comes out. Will it completely turn their world upside down or will they survive this too?
I really enjoyed this book – first, for the obvious reason that I too love books and bookstores. Secondly, the inner battles Charlotte has with herself constantly really felt true to the time period; does one do what they have to to survive, or do they stick to their ethics and take whatever comes?
If you are a WWII historical fiction buff like me, like alternating timelines and tense moments, this is a book you’ll want to grab a copy of.
joli_folie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.25
southernbellebooks's review against another edition
5.0
This is easily one of my new favorite books. I couldn’t put it down. Ellen Feldman has such beautiful writing and a wonderful sense of storytelling. I came to love every character for who they were and where they were even when the unlikable traits reared their heads. The way Feldman ended the book only had me wanting more. I can’t wait to buy this in physical form when it comes out!
iggyebab's review against another edition
2.0
** I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.**
WW II Historical fiction has become one of my favorite subgenres.. Throw in a bookstore and a woman trying to keep her and her baby alive in occupied France and I'm all in.
I wanted so much to love this book. However, I was unable to connect to these characters. They were flat and i often felt the story was told at me not to me. The idea of survivors guilt is such a ripe emotional landscape from this time period. So many people died.
This story was just not what I'd hoped it would be.
WW II Historical fiction has become one of my favorite subgenres.. Throw in a bookstore and a woman trying to keep her and her baby alive in occupied France and I'm all in.
I wanted so much to love this book. However, I was unable to connect to these characters. They were flat and i often felt the story was told at me not to me. The idea of survivors guilt is such a ripe emotional landscape from this time period. So many people died.
This story was just not what I'd hoped it would be.
lola425's review against another edition
4.0
Alternating between WWII Paris and the publishing world of the 1950's, Feldman examines the painful consequences of pretending to be something you are not in order to survive.
For readers who loved All the Light You Cannot See.
For readers who loved All the Light You Cannot See.
bkish's review against another edition
1.0
I dont agree with what the author did with this story which appeared to be about a young woman jewish in Paris during the Nazi takeover. Something about the turn this story took is actually disturbing not normal disturbing rather something about the author that avoids the evils in Life and in people...
The more i think about book the more it outrages me as a Jewish woman
A final comment for those who would be reading this book is it is a tale of a woman who will do anything to survive...
Judy g
The more i think about book the more it outrages me as a Jewish woman
A final comment for those who would be reading this book is it is a tale of a woman who will do anything to survive...
Judy g
emery_ann's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
I loved everything but the ending
kande0321's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
mommasaystoread's review against another edition
3.0
Paris Never Leaves You is as much historical romance as historical fiction or women's fiction, which works for this story. The storyline is emotional, and it's impossible to read about Charlotte's determination to survive and protect her daughter without feeling the emotion of the story. Ellen Feldman did a great job of showing Charlotte's survivor's guilt as well as her relationship with her daughter. The story moves between two timelines, and while the switch was sometimes a bit abrupt, both timelines were interesting. The story is easy to follow, and the characters are well-drawn and made me want to see how things would come out for them. All in all, Paris Never Leaves You is an engaging historical romance from Ellen Feldman. It's well written, and I would check out other books by this author.
thelexingtonbookie's review against another edition
3.0
I really tried getting into this book, as it had promised a lot of what I love to read about: historical fiction, romance, books... However, it just ended up not being a book for me. The pacing was slow, somber and thoughtful, but a tad redundant, and I struggled to keep myself focused on the novel. I pushed through to finish it because I didn't want to give it a DNF, but ultimately I didn't connect with the story-lines and therefore the entirety of the novel.