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worthit's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sdbowman's review against another edition
4.0
It reminds me of Evelyn Hugo, a beautiful historical fiction story about a strong woman
leseratte01's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Such a Good Book, RUN to get it!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment, Pedophilia, Pregnancy, Rape, and Sexual assault
cricca's review against another edition
emotional
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
4.0
cfh's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
4.0
terriep's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Told in the first person, this is the life story of Rosa, a woman from poor beginnings who makes her way to Paris and works hard putting her eye for fashion and beauty to use. She manages some success, marries, moves to Brazil, has more success, moves again, marries again....... There is glamour, a wealthy lifestyle of the era, friendship, hardship, love and loss and hurts.
The character of Rosa is sometimes hard to like. Though she suffered as a young woman, was raped and had a child, the circumstances around those events of course stayed with her through her life and made some of her later decisions and actions unlikeable.
The clever technique used in telling the story is that each chapter is titled with a beauty product or regime and that ties the present day to her memories.
I think the book isn't well titled - it's barely in Paris at all while the title makes it sound like the primary setting and I suspect many will pick it up for that reason. It's actually set more in Brazil than Paris and while she is a dressmaker, that's not really the focus to me. But, the title did draw me in and I enjoyed the book.
Challenges tagged:
Historical Fiction: 14/15
COYER 2nd chapter: 3pts (124 total)
Read the World: 20/197 (Brazil)
The character of Rosa is sometimes hard to like. Though she suffered as a young woman, was raped and had a child, the circumstances around those events of course stayed with her through her life and made some of her later decisions and actions unlikeable.
The clever technique used in telling the story is that each chapter is titled with a beauty product or regime and that ties the present day to her memories.
I think the book isn't well titled - it's barely in Paris at all while the title makes it sound like the primary setting and I suspect many will pick it up for that reason. It's actually set more in Brazil than Paris and while she is a dressmaker, that's not really the focus to me. But, the title did draw me in and I enjoyed the book.
Challenges tagged:
Historical Fiction: 14/15
COYER 2nd chapter: 3pts (124 total)
Read the World: 20/197 (Brazil)
veganjo's review against another edition
5.0
I so enjoyed Rosa’s story: the settings, the characters, the love and the heartbreak. Superb tale.
sophiepmeeks's review against another edition
emotional
informative
reflective
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
library_lady2015's review against another edition
4.0
Reminds me of A Woman of Substance by Bradford...