Reviews

I think this book started off a bit slow but overall it was a great read. I was humbled by my lack of knowledge of the French Revolution and WWI and WWII. It’s fun to read about the female perspective since all the history books are about men

marshmellonie's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

oburke33's review against another edition

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adventurous informative inspiring slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

This was a solid book! A fascinating story about 3 strong women inspired by the actions of Lafayette, but are the heroes of their own stories. It exposed the lack of knowledge I have about historical events, but left me wanting to learn more.

thesarahgayle's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional funny hopeful sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

I enjoyed this book but it felt like a slog.

Content Warnings

candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition

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4.0

I was so excited to be approved to review this novel, and was disappointed with the opening. "The Women of Chateau Lafayette" gets off to an awkward start, stay the course! It develops into an suspenseful and compelling tale that is hard to put down.

There are three narratives--the most modern involves Marthe, a teacher at a school for children with respiratory problems in rural France. She was raised at the institution, which is sponsored by an American organization that supports the home of the Marquis de Lafayette, the Frenchman who fought with Washington in the American Revolutionary War. It's 1939.

In 1774, 14-year-old Adrienne is married to 16-year-old Gilbert de Mortier, the last of the Lafayette line. Her family is rich, and even though he is a rube from a backwater, so is he. Adrienne suspects there may be more to this redheaded kid than anyone thinks.

In 1915, former chorus girl Beatrice Chanler decides to use her husband's wealth to help the scores of refugees she sees flooding Paris. As well as being beautiful and charming, Beatrice is a born organizer and shaker-upper. Her work will save thousands of refugees, and grow the legacy of the Marquis de Lafayette, whom she greatly admires.

The novel starts out with Marthe's story, which is the weakest for the first quarter of the book. Ultimately, all the stories are completely riveting and Stephanie Dray handles the last quarter of the narrative like a skilled film director. The result is dynamic reading and a book that's hard to put down, filled with lots of well delivered history and characters you care about. What a treat!

Greatest thanks to the publisher and Edelweiss for this reading treat!

~~Candace Siegle, Greedy Reader

mpapomeroy's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring slow-paced

3.75

terraturtles's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

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