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Wanderlust
En plus de la richesse, Audrey Driscoll a aussi hérité de son père le goût des voyages. Mais ses responsabilités l'ont toujours empêchée de partir. Enfin, en 1933, elle s'embarque seule pour l'Europe, avec un appareil photo dans la main et des rêves plein la tête, malgré la menace grandissante de la guerre...
Une centaine d'ouvrages publiés en France, 800 millions d'exemplaires vendus à travers le monde : Danielle Steel est un auteur dont le succès ne se dément pas depuis maintenant plus de trente ans.
Une centaine d'ouvrages publiés en France, 800 millions d'exemplaires vendus à travers le monde : Danielle Steel est un auteur dont le succès ne se dément pas depuis maintenant plus de trente ans.
382 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
468 people are currently reading
3031 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Steel
918 books16.9k followersDanielle Steel has been hailed as one of the world's bestselling authors, with almost a billion copies of her novels sold. Her many international bestsellers include All That Glitters, Royal, Daddy's Girls, The Wedding Dress, The Numbers Game, Moral Compass, Spy, and other highly acclaimed novels. She is also the author of His Bright Light, the story of her son Nick Traina's life and death; A Gift of Hope, a memoir of her work with the homeless; Expect a Miracle, a book of her favorite quotations for inspiration and comfort; Pure Joy, about the dogs she and her family have loved; and the children's books Pretty Minnie in Paris and Pretty Minnie in Hollywood.
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Instagram: @officialdaniellesteel
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 245 reviews
June 24, 2008
Beware! You really do get Wanderlust after reading this book!
August 20, 2017
*SPOILER ALERT*
Well, I gave this book a three star as it is brilliantly put. The story is captivating and I loved the character of Audrey. The book takes you through a lot of emotions and I did cry when I was reading about Audrey adopting Mai Li. I thought to myself how much courage one needs to do what she did. Staying back for the kids and eventually adopting one. However there were a few points worth pointing out:
1. It is hardly a book about "wanderlust". It is just a romantic tale about a man and a women. I expected it more of a travelling kind and getting lost while travelling. That certainly did not happen. The story is extremely fascinating though but don't expect the "wanderlust" thing.
2. I did not like the character of Charlie. It was quite convenient of him to leave her in China in such a mess when there were Nazis, Japanese soldiers and bandits all around. Later also when Audrey explained why she couldn't marry him, he should have empathized with her and if the love they shared was so strong he could have waited for her. Instead he got married with a useless girl. Later when Charlie got separated from her, it was so easy for him to get back to Audrey. It was that easy for him. It seemed he just wanted a woman around him all the time. Even Audrey did not think twice before accepting him again in his life. What non sense!! How can you have someone treat you like a door mat!
Anyways, all said and done. Barring the above points, the book is lovely!
Well, I gave this book a three star as it is brilliantly put. The story is captivating and I loved the character of Audrey. The book takes you through a lot of emotions and I did cry when I was reading about Audrey adopting Mai Li. I thought to myself how much courage one needs to do what she did. Staying back for the kids and eventually adopting one. However there were a few points worth pointing out:
1. It is hardly a book about "wanderlust". It is just a romantic tale about a man and a women. I expected it more of a travelling kind and getting lost while travelling. That certainly did not happen. The story is extremely fascinating though but don't expect the "wanderlust" thing.
2. I did not like the character of Charlie. It was quite convenient of him to leave her in China in such a mess when there were Nazis, Japanese soldiers and bandits all around. Later also when Audrey explained why she couldn't marry him, he should have empathized with her and if the love they shared was so strong he could have waited for her. Instead he got married with a useless girl. Later when Charlie got separated from her, it was so easy for him to get back to Audrey. It was that easy for him. It seemed he just wanted a woman around him all the time. Even Audrey did not think twice before accepting him again in his life. What non sense!! How can you have someone treat you like a door mat!
Anyways, all said and done. Barring the above points, the book is lovely!
June 4, 2016
UGH, such drivel! Every trite, overused cliche imaginable. Strong young woman is orphaned and becomes caretaker for younger sister and ailing grandfather (very, very rich grandfather). Feels unfulfilled and goes on a journey in which she immediately meets a (very, very rich) couple who take them under their wing and introduce her to the man she falls passionately in love with within a few days. They then proceed to repeatedly make love for hours, and then their lovemaking goes on for hours and then they make love for hours again. Because even though they aren't married, they may as well be because their hours of lovemaking have formed a deep bond between them and they've given themselves to each other completely and blahhhhhhhh blah blah.
I just couldn't... I tried, but I just couldn't.
I just couldn't... I tried, but I just couldn't.
January 29, 2018
Es una historia preciosa, contada con mucha sensibilidad, me ha encantado que la autora mezcla personajes y acontecimientos reales de la Segunda Guerra Mundial dentro de la ficción. Está muy bien documentada. Ha hecho que Audrey y Charles sean personajes fuertes, valientes, aventureros y me ha permitido viajar por distintas partes del mundo, con sus excelentes descripciones. Mi estreno con Steel no pudo ser mejor. La recomiendo!!
September 1, 2023
-ROMANCE
-FICTION, HISTORICAL, CONTEMPORARY
-A GIRL IS TIRED OF LIVING LOCKED UP UNDER HER RESPONSIBILITIES AND DECIDES TO GO OUT TO SEE THE WORLD WITHOUT KNOWING WHAT AND WHO AWAITS HER
- THERE ARE THEMES LIKE ADVENTURE, SELF-DISCOVERY, AND FOLLOWING ONE'S PATH
-THE Insta-Love trope really sucks ass for me, so I WASN'T A FAN OF THE COUPLE AT ALL. The male love interest WAS A RED FLAG WITH NO TEMPERAMENT. THE female protagonist Is amazing tho, love her.
-THE READING IS A LITTLE SLOW AND ABOVE ALL CHEESY AT TIMES BECAUSE FROM TIME TO TIME, I felt like THERE WERE PARTS THAT DID NOT CONTRIBUTE AT ALL TO THE PLOT
-IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR A ROMANCE STORY COMBINED WITH A WOMAN WHO EXPERIENCES EVERY DISGRACE IN EVERY PART OF THE WORLD, THIS IS IT
-SELF-CONCLUSIVE
- THERE WERE MOMENTS WHEre I DID NOT TAKE my eyes OFF THE BOOK AND MOMENTS WHEre I would say “pls be over”
-THE SECOND WORLD WAR IN BOOKS WILL NEVER NOT BE INTERESTING
-“There was something much greater she needed to feed her soul, and perhaps one day soon she would go...” ❤️
-Plot: 4/5
-Characters: 3/5
October 23, 2015
Some books make you forget where you are and what you are doing till you cannot read anymore. Wanderlust is one such book! I lived with Audrey, I cannot imagine feeling any different than narrated while Audrey traveled on her first solo trip. I don't know whether it's the timing I have read this book or the wanderlust that lingers in the heart which made me fall in love with this book only after reading first few pages. finished this book in 2 days flat and had to really fight myself to stop reading it. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
love stories like these make me wonder if love like this actually exists. its so rare to actually find your soul mate with whom you can communicate without saying any words.
feeling of wanderlust tied the 2 main characters together and their journey of togetherness, separation, struggle and reunion made my heart ache for them. loved every sentence written in this book, though the part of staying back in China to run an orphanage seemed too much and too daring for a woman in 1930s. Women in many countries still (in 21st century) cannot think of undertaking long journeys on their own and to think of Audrey traveling all over the world for her various reasons seem extremely daring.
Not sure of the description of some of the routes through, especially from India to China (via Ladakh). .it doesn't seem true for that time period.
Story is full of twists and surprises and is an interesting read.
Glad that the book has a happy ending or else it wud hve been difficult to move on :)
love stories like these make me wonder if love like this actually exists. its so rare to actually find your soul mate with whom you can communicate without saying any words.
feeling of wanderlust tied the 2 main characters together and their journey of togetherness, separation, struggle and reunion made my heart ache for them. loved every sentence written in this book, though the part of staying back in China to run an orphanage seemed too much and too daring for a woman in 1930s. Women in many countries still (in 21st century) cannot think of undertaking long journeys on their own and to think of Audrey traveling all over the world for her various reasons seem extremely daring.
Not sure of the description of some of the routes through, especially from India to China (via Ladakh). .it doesn't seem true for that time period.
Story is full of twists and surprises and is an interesting read.
Glad that the book has a happy ending or else it wud hve been difficult to move on :)
July 4, 2015
I think I couldn't have read this book faster. I'm a girl that adores to travel and I think this book and I were a match made in literary heaven. So with all of this said I think you can pretty much tell I fell in love with this story. The characters were so well developed and every single place Audrey visited I could imagine it with a clarity that made me want to join her and Charlie on all their adventures.
When I first started the book I thought it was slow and repetitive but as I kept on reading I understood it was because Audrey's life was that way. But once the traveling began and Charles came into the picture I couldn't put the book down. I have to say the romance between those two started quickly and developed itself in a way that only happens in books but I loved it. At first I thought "wow this all happened so fast and I'm only 200 pages in." I had no idea how Danielle Steel would develop the rest of the story without me getting bored. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. From Harbin back to San Francisco, then back in the South of France the story kept me entertained and I grew fond not only of the places but with the characters as well.
All in all I loved this book and I can't wait to read more of her stuff. I'm grateful I found it in my mom's old library.
When I first started the book I thought it was slow and repetitive but as I kept on reading I understood it was because Audrey's life was that way. But once the traveling began and Charles came into the picture I couldn't put the book down. I have to say the romance between those two started quickly and developed itself in a way that only happens in books but I loved it. At first I thought "wow this all happened so fast and I'm only 200 pages in." I had no idea how Danielle Steel would develop the rest of the story without me getting bored. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. From Harbin back to San Francisco, then back in the South of France the story kept me entertained and I grew fond not only of the places but with the characters as well.
All in all I loved this book and I can't wait to read more of her stuff. I'm grateful I found it in my mom's old library.
August 28, 2018
I read loads of 1980s Danielle Steel when I was young. I found this book recently and wanted to see what she was like, to my grown-up self. Bloomin’ awful was the answer! It gets two stars for being laugh out loud funny but mostly the writing was repetitious and bland. It seemed like she didn’t have an editor perhaps? Anyway there was little Wanderlust and this was a tale of boring rich people. The general in China who “almost...exuded manly powers” and Rommel were my favourite characters so maybe she should have turned her hand to war stories?
March 7, 2016
AMAZING!!!
April 17, 2021
Viajar! conocer muchos lugares tan lejanos de donde se vive, un anhelo de muchos, una oportunidad para pocos y el sueño que persigo. La vida de Audrey monótona y llena de responsabilidades hacia su Abuelo y hermana toma un giro cuando decide viajar sola por Europa en donde conoce a Charlie, él es el catalizador que necesitaba para que juntos puedan realizar los periplos que sus sueños contienen, y que los llevan a países en donde se les presentan aventuras tan espontáneas como gratificantes. Disfruté mucho esta lectura ya que pude viajar desde San francisco hasta New York, luego por la Europa de los años 30's, pasear por Venecia y a bordo del Orient express hasta Estambul, y en una vóragine de impulsos viajar por Afgnanistan y el Tibet y finalmente llegar hasta China. Después de un obligado reposo, seguimos viajando ahora por Egipto y participar en un importante fragmento de la 2a Guerra Mundial. Entre estos viajes hay claro!! mucho romance, aventuras, espionaje, muertes y hasta venganzas o mejor dicho ajustes de cuentas. "Mientras vagas por el mundo, vagando, vagando sin cesar, y después, lo mejor de todo, cuando, satisfecha, colmada y finalmente feliz, regresas lentamente a casa."
August 30, 2021
My first Danielle Steel novel and honestly there was more content than I was expecting.
The main character, Audrey is a bit annoying and this does read a bit like a soap opera where you meet every type of person and everything that can happen does. But I enjoyed the middle part of it and seeing the WW2 aspect from a different angle. The end is WAY annoying but I would say that I liked the book. I may read another one of her books someday.
The main character, Audrey is a bit annoying and this does read a bit like a soap opera where you meet every type of person and everything that can happen does. But I enjoyed the middle part of it and seeing the WW2 aspect from a different angle. The end is WAY annoying but I would say that I liked the book. I may read another one of her books someday.
August 27, 2022
I mean, this book has all the ingredients that should make me like it. Easy paced writing, traveling, love, history, but man oh man I could not stand both of the main characters, nor their relationships. All of the side characters were much more likable than them. It's a big no from me.
May 24, 2020
Not a review, more like a rant -
Clichéd, repetitive and just plain frustrating. Audrey is a rich, entitled girl and I don't know why she's glorified so much through the book. She is self important and coddles everyone around her to a point where they can't live without her and then thinks she's like her father. The author really wants the readers to believe that Audrey has some sort of an unquenchable Wanderlust, when in fact that's not true at all. She keeps wanting to go back to the States, but her lust for Charles keeps pushing her ahead to explore the world with him, all protected under his wing. She just took ONE trip to get away from her mundane life, that doesn't make her some Christopher Columbus. She keeps leaving Charles for abandoned children and her grandfather and somehow we are supposed to believe that she loves him.
When Charles visits her in San Francisco and asks her to marry him for the last time, she literally tells him she'd be happy with him in Oklahoma and it's not about not wanting to go to Egypt with him. How the f is that WaNdUrLusT? She asks him to move to San Francisco and that's so strange for someone who is "like her father". I feel like Danielle Steel had these weird fantasies about being someone like Audrey so she wrote a stupid, unreadable book about it to fulfill her desire in a way. It's so bad. Nothing bad happens to this bit*h, like what the hell am I reading? What a poor excuse for a story and such poor poor characters, all of them. Grandfather who is tough but warm - oh we haven't heard that before. And somehow all the people she meets everywhere are gorgeous and beautiful and stunning and rich. And Pablo Picasso compliments her photography, like what? Are you kidding me?
An example of what a poor, lame character Audrey is - she wants to help the child that came running to her in Harbin, gets out of the car knowing poor Charlie will follow her to the church, starts retching as soon as she sees the decapitated nuns, CHARLIE HAS TO CLEAN UP THE MESS AND ENDURE THE TRAUMA while this bitch puts together the most basic meal for the orphans (oh how nice of her), sends exhausted and traumatized Charlie off in the harsh cold to look for a solution (TWICE) and then literally chooses to stay there knowing full well Charlie can't and there are people back home who are expecting her. I agree it must have been a hard choice to make to stay back but she herself agrees that she had regrets later on when she's back in San Fran. And my question is, HOW IS THIS WaNdUrLusT?????
God, it was exhausting to read this book. I only finished it because I cannot not finish books, always expecting for it to get better somehow.
Please don't read this book, there's way better content out there. This does not deserve to be read, at least not without you wanting to rip the book in half as soon as you're through.
Clichéd, repetitive and just plain frustrating. Audrey is a rich, entitled girl and I don't know why she's glorified so much through the book. She is self important and coddles everyone around her to a point where they can't live without her and then thinks she's like her father. The author really wants the readers to believe that Audrey has some sort of an unquenchable Wanderlust, when in fact that's not true at all. She keeps wanting to go back to the States, but her lust for Charles keeps pushing her ahead to explore the world with him, all protected under his wing. She just took ONE trip to get away from her mundane life, that doesn't make her some Christopher Columbus. She keeps leaving Charles for abandoned children and her grandfather and somehow we are supposed to believe that she loves him.
When Charles visits her in San Francisco and asks her to marry him for the last time, she literally tells him she'd be happy with him in Oklahoma and it's not about not wanting to go to Egypt with him. How the f is that WaNdUrLusT? She asks him to move to San Francisco and that's so strange for someone who is "like her father". I feel like Danielle Steel had these weird fantasies about being someone like Audrey so she wrote a stupid, unreadable book about it to fulfill her desire in a way. It's so bad. Nothing bad happens to this bit*h, like what the hell am I reading? What a poor excuse for a story and such poor poor characters, all of them. Grandfather who is tough but warm - oh we haven't heard that before. And somehow all the people she meets everywhere are gorgeous and beautiful and stunning and rich. And Pablo Picasso compliments her photography, like what? Are you kidding me?
An example of what a poor, lame character Audrey is - she wants to help the child that came running to her in Harbin, gets out of the car knowing poor Charlie will follow her to the church, starts retching as soon as she sees the decapitated nuns, CHARLIE HAS TO CLEAN UP THE MESS AND ENDURE THE TRAUMA while this bitch puts together the most basic meal for the orphans (oh how nice of her), sends exhausted and traumatized Charlie off in the harsh cold to look for a solution (TWICE) and then literally chooses to stay there knowing full well Charlie can't and there are people back home who are expecting her. I agree it must have been a hard choice to make to stay back but she herself agrees that she had regrets later on when she's back in San Fran. And my question is, HOW IS THIS WaNdUrLusT?????
God, it was exhausting to read this book. I only finished it because I cannot not finish books, always expecting for it to get better somehow.
Please don't read this book, there's way better content out there. This does not deserve to be read, at least not without you wanting to rip the book in half as soon as you're through.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2014
This book told the tale of one woman's desire to travel. It begins with Audrey Driscoll finding her father's photo albums filled with photos of far off, magical places. Places Audrey desperately wants to visit. Alas, she is "stuck" taking care of her elderly grandfather and younger sister. Audrey has taken care of Annabelle (Annie) since she was a very young girl. Her parents were killed in an accident and Audrey became the parent. She did everything for Annabelle, and as such, Annabelle is incapable of even doing the simplest of tasks.
Annabelle, is a needed character in this story, as it complicates Audrey's thought process. Does she go after all she wants in life? Does she stay and take care of her sister as she's done ever since she was 11? The reader really begins to hate Annabelle for she never encourages Audrey to live her dreams, but complains and whines when she is gone. Audrey's grandfather also hates Audrey leaving, but his reasons are pretty expected. His son had the same drive and was always leaving him (even in old age) to go off on travels. He eventually perished on one of his trips. Obviously, the reader can sympathize with the grandfather's feelings.
Audrey, never feeling the drive to get married and have a bunch of babies as all other girls her age, eventually gets to travel. At first, she only will be gone for the summer, planning to return in September. A sequence of events have her extending her travels, and she ends up staying abroad with friends until March of the following year. When she returns, her relationship with Annabelle is beyond repair, as the younger sister "needed" her to help take care of her two kids. Annabelle hates that Audrey "left" them alone with no help. She doesn't seem to care about the grandfather (those feelings may have been founded) but help with her own life.
Audrey keeps feeling the tug to go back abroad to friends she has made, and a guy she had met and subsequently, stayed with and began to love. However, she makes the decision to stay, as by this time her grandfather is failing and she needs to be near him. After her beloved grandfather's death, she is able to go back abroad. There is nothing holding her to San Francisco anymore,and she is able to live her life.
The reader really begins to love Audrey and her passion, drive, steadfastness, and heart. She does what she has to, but she never does it without thinking of how it will affect the others in her life.
Annabelle, is a needed character in this story, as it complicates Audrey's thought process. Does she go after all she wants in life? Does she stay and take care of her sister as she's done ever since she was 11? The reader really begins to hate Annabelle for she never encourages Audrey to live her dreams, but complains and whines when she is gone. Audrey's grandfather also hates Audrey leaving, but his reasons are pretty expected. His son had the same drive and was always leaving him (even in old age) to go off on travels. He eventually perished on one of his trips. Obviously, the reader can sympathize with the grandfather's feelings.
Audrey, never feeling the drive to get married and have a bunch of babies as all other girls her age, eventually gets to travel. At first, she only will be gone for the summer, planning to return in September. A sequence of events have her extending her travels, and she ends up staying abroad with friends until March of the following year. When she returns, her relationship with Annabelle is beyond repair, as the younger sister "needed" her to help take care of her two kids. Annabelle hates that Audrey "left" them alone with no help. She doesn't seem to care about the grandfather (those feelings may have been founded) but help with her own life.
Audrey keeps feeling the tug to go back abroad to friends she has made, and a guy she had met and subsequently, stayed with and began to love. However, she makes the decision to stay, as by this time her grandfather is failing and she needs to be near him. After her beloved grandfather's death, she is able to go back abroad. There is nothing holding her to San Francisco anymore,and she is able to live her life.
The reader really begins to love Audrey and her passion, drive, steadfastness, and heart. She does what she has to, but she never does it without thinking of how it will affect the others in her life.
March 5, 2014
بعد ما لتت "دانيال ستيل" وعجنت ورغت بكلام كتير كعادة الكتاب الأمريكانيين أقدر أقول أن أكثر ما أعجبني هو
شغف البطلة القوي والدائم بالسفر والترحال والتصوير؛ ففي أقل من عام (طبقا للأحداث) استطاعت قطع الكرة الأرضية من شرقها لغربها في رحلة طويلة بدأتها من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، زارت خلالها لندن وفيينا وأسطنبول وبكين وشنغهاي وبعد ذلك بعام آخر ومع بداية الحرب العالمية الثانية تزور برلين ونعيش معها تعصب النازيين، وتزور القاهرة كمصورة لمراسل صحفي -هو حبيبها- البريطاني الجنسية والمتخفي وراء جواز سفر أميركي لدواعي تجسس بريطانية يحاوران خلالها ثعلب الصحراء (روميل) في لقاء صحفي يجعلك تفتح بعد ذلك صفحة جوجل لتقرأ المزيد عنه، ثم تسافر لكزابلانكا لتعمل مع زوجها -حبيبها السابق- لصالح البريطانيين أيضا
ستات قوية ومفترية :D
اهتمت (دانيال) بالاسهاب عن مشاعر أبطالها وأفكارهم بصورة تفوق اهتمامها بالبلدان التي تحدثت عنها، فمن القاهرة لم أخرج سوى بوسامة المصريين وسمرة بشرتهم والجلاليب التي يرتدونها والعواصف الصحراوية التي تجتاح صحرائهم وأسماء بعض المحافظات كالأسكندرية وبورسعيد
رُضا طبعا :D
وكمان نقطة ضعف
أفضل جزء بالرواية على الإطلاق هو الجزء الأخير منذ أن تبدأ الحرب العالمية الثانية وتشتد ويلاتها وتطال الجميع وإن كان التركيز قطعا على ما يراه ويشعر به البريطانيين والأمريكان بحكم جنسيات الأبطال
ــــــــــــــــــــ
The war had affected all their lives, and she couldn't help wondering if it would ever be the same again .. Wanderlust.
شغف البطلة القوي والدائم بالسفر والترحال والتصوير؛ ففي أقل من عام (طبقا للأحداث) استطاعت قطع الكرة الأرضية من شرقها لغربها في رحلة طويلة بدأتها من الولايات المتحدة الأمريكية، زارت خلالها لندن وفيينا وأسطنبول وبكين وشنغهاي وبعد ذلك بعام آخر ومع بداية الحرب العالمية الثانية تزور برلين ونعيش معها تعصب النازيين، وتزور القاهرة كمصورة لمراسل صحفي -هو حبيبها- البريطاني الجنسية والمتخفي وراء جواز سفر أميركي لدواعي تجسس بريطانية يحاوران خلالها ثعلب الصحراء (روميل) في لقاء صحفي يجعلك تفتح بعد ذلك صفحة جوجل لتقرأ المزيد عنه، ثم تسافر لكزابلانكا لتعمل مع زوجها -حبيبها السابق- لصالح البريطانيين أيضا
ستات قوية ومفترية :D
اهتمت (دانيال) بالاسهاب عن مشاعر أبطالها وأفكارهم بصورة تفوق اهتمامها بالبلدان التي تحدثت عنها، فمن القاهرة لم أخرج سوى بوسامة المصريين وسمرة بشرتهم والجلاليب التي يرتدونها والعواصف الصحراوية التي تجتاح صحرائهم وأسماء بعض المحافظات كالأسكندرية وبورسعيد
رُضا طبعا :D
وكمان نقطة ضعف
أفضل جزء بالرواية على الإطلاق هو الجزء الأخير منذ أن تبدأ الحرب العالمية الثانية وتشتد ويلاتها وتطال الجميع وإن كان التركيز قطعا على ما يراه ويشعر به البريطانيين والأمريكان بحكم جنسيات الأبطال
ــــــــــــــــــــ
The war had affected all their lives, and she couldn't help wondering if it would ever be the same again .. Wanderlust.
February 25, 2009
This is such a great book,I've read it twice.
It's set during the time just before and during the time of Hitler,focusing on a young woman and her family. Her father,sisters,and the people in their lives.
The young woman,main character,is one who has taken on the task of caring for her younger sister,whom she has spoiled rotten since her birth,and continues when their parents,who are adventurous wanderers themselves,are killed in a plane crash,and the girls go to live with their father's father,in San Francisco,Ca. The older sister ends up taking up yet another task of running her Grandfathers' household. Back in the time of maids,servants,and timed meals.
At some point in the book,the older sister and main character decides she wants to see a bit of the world,and follow the scrapbooks her parents left her when they died,but that is where everything really starts for this rather sheltered,ahead of her time young womans' life really begins.
Some sadness,tragedy,love,friendship,war,England,Hitler,the Orient Express,and the Asias,are where the main part of the story really takes place. It's an excellent read,and one of my favorites.
It's set during the time just before and during the time of Hitler,focusing on a young woman and her family. Her father,sisters,and the people in their lives.
The young woman,main character,is one who has taken on the task of caring for her younger sister,whom she has spoiled rotten since her birth,and continues when their parents,who are adventurous wanderers themselves,are killed in a plane crash,and the girls go to live with their father's father,in San Francisco,Ca. The older sister ends up taking up yet another task of running her Grandfathers' household. Back in the time of maids,servants,and timed meals.
At some point in the book,the older sister and main character decides she wants to see a bit of the world,and follow the scrapbooks her parents left her when they died,but that is where everything really starts for this rather sheltered,ahead of her time young womans' life really begins.
Some sadness,tragedy,love,friendship,war,England,Hitler,the Orient Express,and the Asias,are where the main part of the story really takes place. It's an excellent read,and one of my favorites.
April 4, 2016
I have always felt like it doesn't matter who wrote the novel if it grabs you. If it holds your attention and makes you love reading, who cares what it is. I have a degree in English and soon I will have my masters in English, and I absolutely adore this novel.
I can't even pinpoint why I love it so much. The only characters I really like are Audrey, Violet, and James. I adore Audrey's journey of self discovery. I adore how her sense of humor is so unbelievable (I mean, come on - Steel tells us about Audrey's candy bar addiction while she's on the Orient Express). Maybe I'm just amused by the whole thing. Yes, it's outlandish and ridiculous and would likely never happen. Yes, all of Steel's characters are extremely gorgeous people and all fabulously wealthy, even during the Depression. Yes, this book is utter fluff. But I don't know...something about it just comforts me. I love rereading it, and I take it with me on every trip because reading it again just makes me feel like no matter where I am, I have something that is familiar and lovely.
I can't even pinpoint why I love it so much. The only characters I really like are Audrey, Violet, and James. I adore Audrey's journey of self discovery. I adore how her sense of humor is so unbelievable (I mean, come on - Steel tells us about Audrey's candy bar addiction while she's on the Orient Express). Maybe I'm just amused by the whole thing. Yes, it's outlandish and ridiculous and would likely never happen. Yes, all of Steel's characters are extremely gorgeous people and all fabulously wealthy, even during the Depression. Yes, this book is utter fluff. But I don't know...something about it just comforts me. I love rereading it, and I take it with me on every trip because reading it again just makes me feel like no matter where I am, I have something that is familiar and lovely.
December 13, 2013
I MUST SAY THAT THIS WAS A PRETTY GOOD BOOK! IT WAS SAD HOW AUDREY AND ANNIE LOST THEIR PARENTS WHEN THEY WERE SO YOUNG. BOTH GIRLS HAD TO GO LIVE WITH THEIR GRANDFATHER (THEIR DAD'S FATHER). AUDREY WAS MORE LIKE A MOTHER TO ANNIE THAN A SISTER, AFTER ALL SHE HELPED HER WITH EVERYTHING. AUDREY TOOK CARE OF THEIR GRANDFATHER TOO! SHE EVEN HIRED AND FIRED THE HELP AND TOOK CARE OF GRANDFATHER'S HOUSE. SO IT'S NO WONDER THAT WHEN ANNIE GOT MARRIED AND HAD A BABY & TURNED 21 THAT 26 YEAR OLD AUDREY DECIDED TO LET ANNIE BECOME THE WIFE AND MOTHER SHE WAS SUPPOSED TO BE AND NOT TO DEPEND ON AUDREY. AUDREY DECIDED THAT SHE WOULD GO OUT AND SEE THE WORLD, LIKE HER PARENTS DID. SO SHE KISSED EVERYONE GOOD-BYE AT THE TRAIN STATION & HEADED OFF TO HER NEW ADVENTURE!!!
HAPPY READING, MERRY MEET, BLESSED BE, & MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
HAPPY READING, MERRY MEET, BLESSED BE, & MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!!
July 9, 2014
Although her parents were killed while traveling, Audrey Driscoll always dreamed of traveling to romantic and exotic places much to the dismay of her sister and grandfather. Her wanderlust finally caught up with her during the great depression and she set out to explore as much of the world as she could see. Along the way she met her dearest friends and the love of her life whom she followed to the orient. She found herself in charge of a orphanage and brought one of the orphans home with her to San Francisco when she was able to leave. Her passion brought her back to Europe just as the Nazis were coming to power and she was reunited with her love...lurid and schmaltzy I enjoyed this action packed adventure/romance. It was my first Danielle Steel novel and I found it easy to understand why it was a best seller!
March 23, 2017
My all time favorite book. Beautifully written and a pleasure to read again and again. It's a wonderful romantic story that takes you through high society San Fransisco, the glamorous South of France, the horrors of World World II, and back again.
Audrey and Charlie are such a fascinating couple and truly meant to be. Danielle Steel can truly play on your emotions and make you feel so much. I read this every few years and am never disappointed.
Audrey and Charlie are such a fascinating couple and truly meant to be. Danielle Steel can truly play on your emotions and make you feel so much. I read this every few years and am never disappointed.
August 1, 2017
Wonderful ride through WW2
Great love story interspersed with the horrors of WW2. War details are made realistic as they affect the lives of two couples and their families. Courage and perseverance abound as the characters face many challenges in their personal and war related experiences
Great love story interspersed with the horrors of WW2. War details are made realistic as they affect the lives of two couples and their families. Courage and perseverance abound as the characters face many challenges in their personal and war related experiences
November 25, 2019
I loved this story so much! It took me a while before I properly got into it but once Audrey finally set off on her adventure I couldn't put the book down. This is the first D.S. book I've read and can definitely say I want to read more now. I loved the characters and each of their unique journey's, I laughed with them, I even cried with them, I'd love to read a sequel to this!
June 28, 2011
Was so amazing ! I love Danielle Steel :)
August 4, 2011
soooooooooooooooooooooooo freaking good!!!!!! one of my new fav books of all time!!!
January 16, 2013
as adorable as always...:)
December 10, 2012
If you love travel and romance then I highly recommend this read.
February 2, 2013
Super story!
November 12, 2013
I really liked this book and enjoyed the travels of the characters.
June 13, 2014
No me esperaba para nada este libro, sorprenderte.
Viaje por todo el mundo, me angustié con sus angustias y lloré con sus tragedias.
Recomendable para un fin de semana :)
Viaje por todo el mundo, me angustié con sus angustias y lloré con sus tragedias.
Recomendable para un fin de semana :)
October 25, 2015
One of the best books written by Danielle Steel.
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