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palliem's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to love this because I'm definitely on a historical fiction kick, and the filles de roi were something I didn't know anything about.
The story follows Laure, an "orphan" from France who is sent to New France (Canada) in the late 1600s as a part of the King's plan to populate the new colony. It's a fascinating piece of history, and perhaps the story would have been better in the hands of a better writer.
This book wasn't bad, but it was clearly by someone who was new at the craft of novel writing. Laure was poorly characterized and never grew or changed throughout the story and the first two-thirds of the book contained so much extraneous detail that I lost interest at times. Many of the storylines introduced early in the novel have no tie to the overall arc, which was frustrating. The author spent far too little time on Laure's life in Canada and never really ended the story or wrapped up Laure's storyline, which was an unsatisfactory ending.
The story follows Laure, an "orphan" from France who is sent to New France (Canada) in the late 1600s as a part of the King's plan to populate the new colony. It's a fascinating piece of history, and perhaps the story would have been better in the hands of a better writer.
This book wasn't bad, but it was clearly by someone who was new at the craft of novel writing. Laure was poorly characterized and never grew or changed throughout the story and the first two-thirds of the book contained so much extraneous detail that I lost interest at times. Many of the storylines introduced early in the novel have no tie to the overall arc, which was frustrating. The author spent far too little time on Laure's life in Canada and never really ended the story or wrapped up Laure's storyline, which was an unsatisfactory ending.
spoonerreads's review
3.0
Interesting take on what it would have been like to move here from France in the 1600's.
rachelini's review
2.0
I think this novel was based around an academic paper, and that showed in both good and bad ways. The level of detail was fantastic, particularly of the girls' lives in France before they were sent over to marry in the colony of New France (and specifically to have lots of children to populate the land). But it ended very abruptly and oddly, like the author had reached the end of the time period she was considering and just...finished.
raaahella's review
4.0
Great Historical Fiction piece. I really enjoyed the eye-opening work that reminded us the humble beginnings of Canada
readingintheozarks's review against another edition
2.0
I was so excited to win this book through goodreads. It is a fast read about a fascinating period in Canadian history that could have been so much more. I so wanted to like this book but it never really developed into anything. I was disappointed in the main character and didn't even like her. The plot was somewhat interesting and I felt that the voyage to Canada was the best part of the book. I just wanted more and never got it.
zoemig's review
3.0
"Mourning, like everything else, was best done in silence."
Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers tells the story of Laure Beausejour, a young girl growing up in a Paris dormitory after having been taken from her impoverished parents. Laure has spent a few years working as a servant in a rich woman's house, but after the woman died Laure moved into the dormitory where she and the other women there do embroidery. Laure dreams of one day becoming a famous seamstress, but her outspoken nature puts her at odds with the nuns who run the institution and she is selected to be sent across the Atlantic to New France. The year is 1669, and all Laure has heard of Canada is that to be sent there is a punishment worse than death. Despite this, she gets her best friend, the pious Madeleline, to come with her and together they set off for Ville-Marie (Montreal). Once there, the girls are expected to marry and bare many children with French soldiers. Laure, however, finds herself drawn to Deskaheh, an Iroquois who she begins a secret relationship with as she learns that New France offers possibilities she never expected.
The historical details of Bride of New France is what distinguishes it, as Desrochers has clearly done her research and offers a unique and realistic perspective of what it was like the "filles du roi" sent across to be wives to strangers. She also clarifies the myth that these women were all country girls, as Laure herself is completely unprepared for her first Canadian winter having spent her entire life in Paris, not even cooking for herself. The description of the journey across the ocean was particularly interesting, as the girls had no idea how long it would take, if they would survive, and most importantly, what they would find on the other side of the ocean if they did make it there safely. Although I appreciated the portion of the novel set in France for its ability to set up what Laure's life was like prior to her journey to New France, I wish there had been more time spent in New France, as that was the part of the book I found most interesting. As a native Montrealer, I found myself drawn to Bride of New France because of the insight it offered on a historical period that I have always found extremely interesting.
Although I loved Bride of New France from a historical perspective, I felt that it lacked the same strength when it came to the characters themselves. I appreciated that Desrochers tried to tell the story through the eyes of a woman who is quite independent for the time, but Laure was often so incredibly selfish that I had a difficult time relating to her. Despite knowing that her friend Madeleline wants nothing more than to become a nun, she guilts her into volunteering for what she knows will be a dangerous journey. Madeleline only ever treats Laure with love and respect, and in response Laure is more concerned about having a friend on the journey than the fact that Madeleline will be giving up her dreams and forced to marry, something she never wanted to do. Madeleline herself initially comes across as slightly one-dimensional, blandly good and pious, but she ultimately shares a secret with Laure which made her character far richer and more interesting, and it was an aspect I wish had the opportunity to be developed further.
Laure was never a character I could personally connect with, and I often found many things she did, especially convincing Madeleine to come with her, but also her relationship with Deskaheh, to be unsympathetic. I kept waiting for Laure to redeem herself in my eyes but unfortunately that never happened and made it difficult for me to connect with the novel emotionally. Ultimately, I found it very refreshing to read a novel based in Canadian history and I think Desrochers did an incredible job of introducing the reader to the time period and although I didn't care for the main character, Laure, I appreciated the unique perspective and insight into what it was like for new settlers that Bride of New France offers.
Bride of New France by Suzanne Desrochers tells the story of Laure Beausejour, a young girl growing up in a Paris dormitory after having been taken from her impoverished parents. Laure has spent a few years working as a servant in a rich woman's house, but after the woman died Laure moved into the dormitory where she and the other women there do embroidery. Laure dreams of one day becoming a famous seamstress, but her outspoken nature puts her at odds with the nuns who run the institution and she is selected to be sent across the Atlantic to New France. The year is 1669, and all Laure has heard of Canada is that to be sent there is a punishment worse than death. Despite this, she gets her best friend, the pious Madeleline, to come with her and together they set off for Ville-Marie (Montreal). Once there, the girls are expected to marry and bare many children with French soldiers. Laure, however, finds herself drawn to Deskaheh, an Iroquois who she begins a secret relationship with as she learns that New France offers possibilities she never expected.
The historical details of Bride of New France is what distinguishes it, as Desrochers has clearly done her research and offers a unique and realistic perspective of what it was like the "filles du roi" sent across to be wives to strangers. She also clarifies the myth that these women were all country girls, as Laure herself is completely unprepared for her first Canadian winter having spent her entire life in Paris, not even cooking for herself. The description of the journey across the ocean was particularly interesting, as the girls had no idea how long it would take, if they would survive, and most importantly, what they would find on the other side of the ocean if they did make it there safely. Although I appreciated the portion of the novel set in France for its ability to set up what Laure's life was like prior to her journey to New France, I wish there had been more time spent in New France, as that was the part of the book I found most interesting. As a native Montrealer, I found myself drawn to Bride of New France because of the insight it offered on a historical period that I have always found extremely interesting.
Although I loved Bride of New France from a historical perspective, I felt that it lacked the same strength when it came to the characters themselves. I appreciated that Desrochers tried to tell the story through the eyes of a woman who is quite independent for the time, but Laure was often so incredibly selfish that I had a difficult time relating to her. Despite knowing that her friend Madeleline wants nothing more than to become a nun, she guilts her into volunteering for what she knows will be a dangerous journey. Madeleline only ever treats Laure with love and respect, and in response Laure is more concerned about having a friend on the journey than the fact that Madeleline will be giving up her dreams and forced to marry, something she never wanted to do. Madeleline herself initially comes across as slightly one-dimensional, blandly good and pious, but she ultimately shares a secret with Laure which made her character far richer and more interesting, and it was an aspect I wish had the opportunity to be developed further.
Laure was never a character I could personally connect with, and I often found many things she did, especially convincing Madeleine to come with her, but also her relationship with Deskaheh, to be unsympathetic. I kept waiting for Laure to redeem herself in my eyes but unfortunately that never happened and made it difficult for me to connect with the novel emotionally. Ultimately, I found it very refreshing to read a novel based in Canadian history and I think Desrochers did an incredible job of introducing the reader to the time period and although I didn't care for the main character, Laure, I appreciated the unique perspective and insight into what it was like for new settlers that Bride of New France offers.
bookcrone_'s review
4.0
Wonderfully evocative picture of a Paris orphanage and the reality of early Quebec. Not my school days history!
e_curran's review against another edition
I really wanted to like this book. It had all of the surface marks of being one I would totally enjoy: historical fiction, young heroine out of her element, adventure, romance, etc etc. But I just could not get into this.
I was never drawn to the characters. The main character, Laure, seemed superficial (as in, not deeply characterized, not as in "only interested in superficial things") and the other characters were about the same. The writing style was choppy in some places, and in others distracted for who-knows-what-reason -- I couldn't exactly pinpoint it, it just felt off.
I was very disappointed that I couldn't bring myself to stick with it, as this is a time period that I'm not overly familiar with, especially in France & Canada.
I was never drawn to the characters. The main character, Laure, seemed superficial (as in, not deeply characterized, not as in "only interested in superficial things") and the other characters were about the same. The writing style was choppy in some places, and in others distracted for who-knows-what-reason -- I couldn't exactly pinpoint it, it just felt off.
I was very disappointed that I couldn't bring myself to stick with it, as this is a time period that I'm not overly familiar with, especially in France & Canada.
blue_squishie's review
3.0
When I read the Author's note at the back of the book and learned that this started out as the author's M.A. thesis, I think I ended up forgiving a lot of the problems that I had when reading the novel. Also the ending totally redeemed a lot of the book for me. I posted in my updates while I was reading, but I found Laure to be a horrible person and thus very hard to empathize with. She's so self-involved and is basically a "mean girl" to one of the other girls who is stuck in equally as dreary a life as her. Not only that but she deliberately manipulates her friend Madeleine, and acknowledges to herself it's only for her (Laure's) own comfort. So ultimately, I was glad that the author went with the not-happy ending. As a very boring note, I remember being intrigued when we learned about les files de roi back in elementary or junior high. A few years back I think I even went in search of more information on them, but I had mistakenly used Champlain's daughters or something. So when I saw this book in Chapters, I was quite excited to read a fictionalized version of one of these women. Unfortunately it ended up being a bit of a letdown but it did give a vivid picture of what life would've been like in those barely there towns and enduring those winters with no amenities.
lostinagoodread's review
3.0
This review and others can be found on Cozy Up With A Good Read
I wasn't really sure what to think about this book when I closed it, and I had to take some time to think about everything that happens. This book takes on a very interesting part of Canadian history.
This book was actually a pretty quick read, as readers follow Laure's journey. The book is cut off into sections as follows Laure's life first in Paris, then on the boat over to New France, and from there her life in Canada as she grows and slowly adapts to this new place. Laure deals with many hardships over the course of this book, the hardest is dealing with the difficult weather that is found in Canada.
Laure is sent off to this new land and is expected to marry and have children as soon as possible to help populate. Laure is very hard-headed and does what she likes, despite the consequences it may cause. I found that it took me some time to really understand everything Laure was going through, in the beginning while living at the Salpetriere, readers see Laure as being jealous of this new girl that has come in and wishes for her to leave for New France like she is supposed to, but when the girl does leave it is not how Laure expects, and Laure ends up learning a lot more about this girl. From there, Laure gets put on a boat with her best friend Madeline, she is expected to help populate this new land for the King.
We get a section about Laure's travels to the New France, this one I had some difficulties getting through. I'm not sure why, but for me I just wanted to know what would happen when she finally got to Canada, and how she dealt with the differences. I didn't care so much about the girls she traveled with to get there (though I can see that it shows Laure's differences from the other girls actually sent to Canada). Laure definitely learns a lot on the trip of what she may expect from this new place, but when she gets there it is still a shock.
This book is really about watching as Laure grows up and learn the rules of a new place. Laure must quickly learn to take care of herself and her new husband. Laure is looked down upon by everyone because she is so different and she doesn't hide it, I really loved her character and how she wouldn't let other people put her down. She is someone that when she puts her mind to something, it gets done.
This is not a story that everything is all happy, this is a very dark book where many disasters happen in a short amount of time. This is not a sweet and good time book, it's about the difficulties people had when first coming to Canada (or "New France") and how the Iroquois were treated.
The one complaint I had with the story was that everything moved so fast. This is one of those books that I think needs a little more fleshing out in places, and could be even better if it was a little longer. Other than that, I did enjoy this story, and I think Laure makes huge leaps through everything.
I wasn't really sure what to think about this book when I closed it, and I had to take some time to think about everything that happens. This book takes on a very interesting part of Canadian history.
This book was actually a pretty quick read, as readers follow Laure's journey. The book is cut off into sections as follows Laure's life first in Paris, then on the boat over to New France, and from there her life in Canada as she grows and slowly adapts to this new place. Laure deals with many hardships over the course of this book, the hardest is dealing with the difficult weather that is found in Canada.
Laure is sent off to this new land and is expected to marry and have children as soon as possible to help populate. Laure is very hard-headed and does what she likes, despite the consequences it may cause. I found that it took me some time to really understand everything Laure was going through, in the beginning while living at the Salpetriere, readers see Laure as being jealous of this new girl that has come in and wishes for her to leave for New France like she is supposed to, but when the girl does leave it is not how Laure expects, and Laure ends up learning a lot more about this girl. From there, Laure gets put on a boat with her best friend Madeline, she is expected to help populate this new land for the King.
We get a section about Laure's travels to the New France, this one I had some difficulties getting through. I'm not sure why, but for me I just wanted to know what would happen when she finally got to Canada, and how she dealt with the differences. I didn't care so much about the girls she traveled with to get there (though I can see that it shows Laure's differences from the other girls actually sent to Canada). Laure definitely learns a lot on the trip of what she may expect from this new place, but when she gets there it is still a shock.
This book is really about watching as Laure grows up and learn the rules of a new place. Laure must quickly learn to take care of herself and her new husband. Laure is looked down upon by everyone because she is so different and she doesn't hide it, I really loved her character and how she wouldn't let other people put her down. She is someone that when she puts her mind to something, it gets done.
This is not a story that everything is all happy, this is a very dark book where many disasters happen in a short amount of time. This is not a sweet and good time book, it's about the difficulties people had when first coming to Canada (or "New France") and how the Iroquois were treated.
The one complaint I had with the story was that everything moved so fast. This is one of those books that I think needs a little more fleshing out in places, and could be even better if it was a little longer. Other than that, I did enjoy this story, and I think Laure makes huge leaps through everything.