Studio Saint-Ex: A novel

by Ania Szado

A sleek, stylish novel set in the sophisticated, dazzling New York of the 1940s, between the shock of Pearl Harbor and the first landing of American troops in Europe—a deft, romantic novel about a wartime triangle involving a twenty-two-year-old fashion designer poised to launch her promising career . . . the acclaimed French expatriate writer/war pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who’s fled his Nazi-occupied country and come to Manhattan for a month, only to stay for two years . . . and his beautiful, estranged Salvadoran wife, the tempestuous, vain Consuelo, determined to win back her husband at all costs—and seductions. With Paris under occupation by Hitler’s troops, New York’s Mayor La Guardia has vowed to turn his city into the new fashion capital of the world. A handful of American designers are set to become the industry’s first names, and Mignonne Lachapelle is determined to be among them. Her ambition and ethics are clear and uncomplicated, until she falls for the celebrated and tormented adventurer Captain Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who, six months after the surrender of France, has fled Europe’s ashen skies after flying near-suicidal reconnaissance missions for the French Air Force. In New York, he writes a new book on the fall of France, Flight to Arras (it becomes a number-one best seller) and collects (a year late) his 1939 National Book Award for his Wind, Sand and Stars, a poetic account of his flying escapades over North Africa and South America (by the time of his arrival in New York, in early 1941, the book has sold 250,000 copies). To distract himself from his malaise about France and at being in exile, and at his publisher’s offhand suggestion, he begins work on a children’s story about a “petit bonhomme” in the Sahara Desert . . . Nothing about Mig’s relationship with Saint-Ex is simple, not his turmoil and unhappiness about being in New York and grounded from wartime skies, nor Mig’s tempestuous sexual encounter with Antoine and the blurring boundaries of their artistic pursuits, ­or Saint-Exupéry’s wife who insidiously entangles Mig in her schemes to reclaim her husband. The greatest complication of Mig’s bond with Saint-Exupéry comes in the form of a deceptively simple Antoine’s work in progress about a little boy, a prince, who’s fallen to earth on a journey across the planets . . . An irresistible novel that brings to life the complex, now almost mythic Saint-Exupéry and the glittering life of wartime New York.This ebook edition includes a Reading Group Guide. 

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Fashion, War, Literary Fiction, World War II

369 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

ANIA SZADO is the author of STUDIO SAINT-EX. Against the backdrop of WWII Manhattan's glittering French expat community and emerging fashion scene, STUDIO SAINT-EX sets Antoine de Saint-Exupéry--and his work-in-progress, THE LITTLE PRINCE--within a tempestuous triangle that pits the love and ambitions of a beautiful 22-year-old designer against the passions and seductions of Saint-Ex's fiery estranged wife. Forthcoming in USA (June 2013), Canada (April 2013), Russia, Italy, Poland. Ania's novel BEGINNING OF WAS was regionally shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers' Prize, Best First Book. Her fiction was anthologized in ALL SLEEK AND SKIMMING (Orca). She lives in Toronto and holds an MFA in Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Olive Fellows (abookolive) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Click here to hear my thoughts on this book over on my Booktube channel, abookolive!

[Suanne Laqueur]

DNF. Just lost interest and started skimming and it wasn’t doing anything for me anymore. Bummer.

[Wanda Pedersen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I heard the author of this novel interviewed on CBC radio a while ago and was intrigued. I recently re-read Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s book The Little Prince and was inspired to try Studio Saint-Ex as a result.

I liked the book—I stayed up much too late the other night to finish it, unable to put it down. I know that many of the details are true—Saint-Ex did have a number of plane crashes resulting in serious injuries, he did spend time in the U.S. waiting to participate in WWII as a pilot, he did have a volatile, beautiful Salvadoran wife named Consuelo, they did live in twin penthouses in NYC, and he is reputed to have had affairs with young women during the time he loitered there.
This novel is told from the POV of one of these young women, Mignonne LaChapelle—her involvement with Antoine and with Consuelo as she works to break in on the fashion scene in NYC as a designer. How she uses them and is used by them during her pursuit of these dreams.

The ending was inevitable—history tells us that Antoine went missing during a reconnaissance mission in 1944, but the novel follows both Mignonne and Consuelo a little further. I am uneasy about the blend of fact & fiction—not knowing where facts leave off and the fiction begins. However, I certainly realize that this is well within the purview of the author and is fair game, it just left me with so many questions that I may have to seek out a biography of Saint-Ex in order to set my mind at ease.

[Cathy Marie Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an advance reading copy of Studio Saint-Ex. Szado gorgeously evokes the fashion scene of 1940s Manhattan and provides a smart, sure-handed glimpse into the hearts and minds of two women in love with literary sensation Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A deft examination of love, desire and ambition.

[Gohnar23 · Rating 1 out of 5]

#️⃣5️⃣1️⃣4️⃣ Read & Reviewed in 2025 💔🩸
Date : 🚀 Saturday, September 27, 2025 🚫🔻❌
Word Count📃: 100k Words 🧨🔪🎈

⋆⭒𓆟⋆｡˚𖦹𓆜✩⋆ >-;;⁠;⁠;€ᐷ °‧ 𓆝 𓆟 𓆞 ·｡

( ˶°ㅁ°) !! My 88th read in "READING AS MANY BOOKS AS I CANNN 😢 cuz smth....happened.....irl.........😥" September ⚡

1️⃣🌟, they butchered The Little Prince
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I have a little bit of an expectation that this is going to be a fanfiction to Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's life as he has created & written one of the most famous books of all time, "The Little Prince". But it is one of the worst books i have ever read because of the lack of any realism and authenticity to the characters. This is supposed to be a fictionalized retelling of Saint-Exupéry's own life that somehow.... SOMEHOW FOCUSES ON A LOVE TRIANGLE THAT HE EXPERIENCED.....HOW??????? idk how The Little Prince is inserted in here because the comparison between that book ad whatever this book is supposed to be is astronomical. It's one of the most basic love triangle stories to ever exist and it's basically using Saint-Exupéry's name to make this more impactful than the nothingness that it actually is. This book is very pretentious while being one of the worst romance stories I've ever read. I don't even think that the character of Saint-Exupéry in the story is related to his real life character and personality. Mignonne Lachapelle is like one of the most fashion obsessed people in the entire world. She'd probably be the second reincarnation of Miranda Priestly from The Devil Wears Prada... So unnecessary and narcissistic. Mignonne is as interesting as a rock with his connection with Saint-Exupéry and I pretty much feel bad for his wife because I do can't believe that Saint-Exupéry would ever like a person such as Mignonne Lachapelle.

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who would have thought it? I certainly didn't see it coming. On my own browsing a shelf of books, I wouldn't have gotten past a brief glance, and that due to the wonderful cover. No reason, just not my usual subject matter. But I was fortunate enough to receive a preview copy. It took me a day or two to commit to cracking the cover, and a chapter or two to really enjoy the characters. Having said that..
I finished it that same night!! I couldn't put it down!
As I was saying.. Who would have thought... fabric could be so seductive!
As someone unfamiliar with the whole "fashion" thing.. then and now, Ania Szado's attention to detail, virtually painting the scenes before my eyes, left me feeling like I was right there! A silent, eye-witness to a era, incredible locations and the dramas lived by an assortment of complex characters.. trials of love, dependency, sorrow.. it was all there.. the characters weaved together much like the 'delicate silk'.

[Andrea P. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally published on Cozy Up With A Good Read

I went into this book not really sure what I was expecting, I did think it was going to be a book about Antoine Saint-Exupery, but what I came out with was something completely different and utterly beautiful. This book is not as much about Antoine as it is about these two women who are vying for his affection and attention. The story is told from the perspectives of both Mignonne and Consuelo, both dealing with losing the person they love and the come together in unexpected circumstances.

What really surprised me about this book was the descriptions and the writing style used throughout the story. I never would have thought that the idea of trying on and feeling material could be so sensual, but the way Ania Szado writes is so compelling that I wanted to be feeling the material and working with these characters. I felt myself drawn into this story as I quickly came to understand each of the characters. There are many scenes that the way Szado describes the feelings, made my heart jump and really brought everything to life.

The love triangle in this book was intriguing (I don't even know if I can completely call it a love triangle rather than just three people whose lives all intersect). Everything about these characters was so complicated and I found myself disturbed how certain things were handled at times and yet still so intrigued. I loved the two female characters in this book and I'm glad that it was more centred around them than it was around Antoine. They are both strong and stubborn women, each of them will do anything to get what they want in the end, and some of the things they did were shocking.

What really affected me in this book was the way that Szado spoke of the different artistic ventures that these characters take. Each of the characters works with their hands, Antoine as a writer, Mignonne a fashion designer and Consuelo works with sculpting, the descriptions of their work is beautiful and so detailed, and I wanted more.

The Little Prince is a large influence in this book but it is not the focus, the characters are the focus. It was interesting to see how the book The Little Prince did finally come into perspective and the idea of what drove Saint-Exupery to write it. I loved learning more about Saint-Exupery in this book, he was an interesting character and his thoughts and opinions kept me wondering about him.

This book comes out at a perfect time, with the 70th anniversary of The Little Prince and I believe it to be a beautiful companion to an already amazing children's story. What I learned about the story of The Little Prince in Szado's book makes me want to go back and read it again to look for all these clues.

[Victoriab · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montreal Expo ’67. New York garment district, 1942. Enlisted men carousing before they’re shipped off to war. A pilot, yearning to take to the skies in aid of his country. Couturiers pandering to the rich and famous: these are scenes made vivid under the capable pen of Ania Szado. Studio Saint-Ex is a fascinating re-creation of a period in World War II when New York was replacing Paris as the fashion centre. The book opens with a woman (Mignonne) en route to the 1967 world fair where her fashion house is giving a retrospective show. She remembers the bitter struggle she fought to achieve success in New York, where her mentor was as likely to rip off her designs as to pay her a salary. As a young designer, Mignonne was swept into the world of French nobility when the Count and Countess Saint-Exupery became attracted to her and her creative flair. She falls for Count Antoine, an older man (a character based on the real-life aviator and author of The Little Prince). Countess Consuelo (again, based on a real-life person) is passionate, jealous, and also a little tempted by the young designer, too. Mignonne struggles to find work-life balance: she has ambition as a designer, a colossal crush on an aristocrat (and curiosity about his wife), and the yearnings of an artist. I was intrigued by the romantic triangle, I was charmed by the recreation of mid-twentieth century New York (Lucky Strikes and Book-of-the-Month Club, anyone?), and I was fascinated by the description of the emergence of 1940s New York haute couture.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

I won a copy of this novel through the Goodreads First Reads giveaways.

A chapter or two into this book, I wasn't really sure if I was going to like it - but then the story picked up and I got pulled in. There are some really wonderful characters. Consuelo, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's wife is a fascinating, infuriating character you will love to hate. The details that go into describing fashion designs of Mignonne LaChapelle are really lovely, and I would love to see an edition of this novel perhaps with sketches of her creations. All in all, this is a great, heartbreaking love story set against the drama of WWII. I recommend a read!

Additionally, this novel has encouraged me to pick up Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince, and maybe finally finish it this time.

[Martine · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be my type of book! But it was not... I felt like nothing was happening between me and the book; that no connection was developing between us. Don't get me wrong: it is well written and easy to read... The author is very skilled. It was just not my kind of book and I was disappointed that it was not. If any one of you wants to give it a try, I would be happy to have it sent to you. Write me a message on goodreads.

[Dianne Landry · Rating 1 out of 5]

Yawn. The fictionalized story of the author of The Little Prince, his wife and his fictional mistress. If I had to read one more line about the draping of clothing or the Alliance Francaise I think my head would ahve exploded. I couldn't finish it and so I returned it to the library for something, hopefully, more interesting.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elegant and absorbing, Studio Saint-Ex is a lively and provocative blend of fact and fiction about the lives of the enigmatic Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and his tempestuous wife Consuelo.

[Taryn · Rating 2 out of 5]

fanfiction for book club moms

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m terrified to review Ania Szado’s Studio Saint-Ex because I feel my review can’t do justice to the beautiful story Szado wrote. I planned on reading Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince before Studio so I could get into the mindset and get reacquainted with the beloved children’s book; however, I read the first two few chapters and put it aside, deciding to delve into Studio Saint-Ex with only my memory of The Little Prince.

Szado’s Studio Saint-Ex is a fictionalized biography of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s time in New York. It’s 1943 and Antoine is anxious to join the war effort. While he awaits the news of America’s involvement in the Second World War, he is reacquainted with his old English tutor, Mignonne Lachapelle. Mignonne is back in New York, but to reclaim her rightful place among the fashion elite. Her design sketches were stolen by a former instructor and she realizes her instructor lied to her when she said Mignonne had no talent. Mignonne’s brother encourages her to confront her former instructor and along the way she meets Antoine’s wife, Consuelo. Mignonne is puzzled by Antoine’s relationship with his wife and although he proclaims Mignonne to be his muse, one is left wondering who in fact inspires the rose in The Little Prince.

The narrative is first person point-of-view and it’s told interchangeably between Mignonne and Consuelo; primarily set in the past, sections intertwine with the present. Szado doesn’t note when the narrative changes, but it’s pretty apparent and doesn’t distract the reader. At the beginning, I found myself drawn to Mignonne’s narrative, but soon I longed for Consuelo’s perspective. I’d like to say Szado devotes equal time to both women regarding their narration, but she focuses heavily on Mignonne and in many ways it makes sense. This is Mignonne’s tale on how one of the world’s most well known authors captured her heart and Consuelo’s role as his wife.

Characterization is well done. You can feel Antoine’s frustration at having to wait and see if he’s going to be involved in the war effort. When he talks about how his body has betrayed him due to the crash in the Sahara, your heart aches. Szado does a phenomenal job portraying those feelings and I did feel as if I personally knew Antoine. Szado makes it difficult for us to choose which of the two women we are cheering for. In many ways, I was frustrated for Consuelo and despite the fact that in real life, both her and Antoine had multiple lovers, you can’t help but want Consuelo to have her happily ever after. Consuelo does come off at times as jealous and vindictive and it’s clear she likes to be at the center of attention. The Consuelo we get in the present narrative is different from the Consuelo we meet in the past. I like to think it’s because she no longer has to fight for Antoine’s attention. As for Mignonne, she’s a highly driven young woman, but very naive. I like that Szado gave us that Mignonne because it brings out the innocence of the time period

I can only imagine the level of research Szado had to conduct. She does a wonderful job transporting the reader to 1943 New York City. I loved how she weaves the fashion industry into her narrative. You don’t have to be a fashion expert to enjoy Studio Saint-Ex. While fashion is at the center of the novel, it has an important function. The first ever fashion event that would eventually become New York Fashion Week, took place in 1943 and it was a great way to showcase American designers. For years, magazines such as Vogue featured French designers, but with the Second World War preventing the fashion industry to travel to Paris, what better way to bring fashion and Paris to New York City. The world of fashion comes alive in Studio Saint-Ex along with the fierce competition and you quickly realize what Mignonne is up against.

I have several favorite scenes, but I just adore the cape scene where Antoine shows Mignonne his Prince’s outfit. I enjoyed Mignonne being inspired enough to create several outfits for him. The late night studio conversations between Antoine and Mignonne were lovely. The one scene that stands out is the production of The Little Prince. I won’t say anything else because I don’t want to spoil the book, but that was one of my favorite scenes throughout the book.

Ania Szado’s Studio Saint-Ex is beautifully written and evocative. By the end, I was in tears and suffered a major book hangover because I wanted to stay in the Studio Saint-Ex world and never emerge. If you’re a fan of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry or historical fiction, I highly recommend Ania Szado’s Studio Saint-Ex.

Review originally posted at Literary, etc.

[Walt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deft and daft. This book explores both realms, vigorously. It's a well-done drawing, nicely stitched, and a drunken broth. If you'll read it with such an mind, I think you'll see what I mean and like it very much.

As artists, this book's writer, Ania Szado, its protagonist, Ms. LaChapelle, and its romantic interest, Antoine, all excel in several respects. They are quick-witted and skillful in their realms; there is no question about that. However, they are also mad. They are crazy about achieving recognition and becoming or remaining 'established' as artistes. In essence, the book is about the intersection of art --- the human effort to imitate and supplement, or to alter or counteract, the work of the natural --- and of commerce --- the buying and selling of goods, including, but not exclusively, of sexual intercourse.

Who would argue with the characterization of STUDIO SAINT-EX as a romance? Not me. After all, it's about the twenty-two-year-old aspiring fashion designer, totally fictional, Mignonne LaChapelle, who ends up 'romantically involved' with the 40+ year-old well-recognized author and wartime pilot, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, who, although also fictional in the story, has a root in reality. Antoine, of course, is already married. But he is also conveniently estranged from the other key figure here, Consuelo, a Salvadoran knockout, who needs him.

So we have our typical love triangle set mostly in New York during World War II. On the other hand, there are other love interests involved: fame, honor, wealth, and independence.

How did I come to read this novel? Well, for one thing, it was a Vine offering, so I got it for free to review. But, beyond that, I was interested because of Antoine's work, THE LITTLE PRINCE, which I had received as a gift as a young man and read and enjoyed. Many have read and enjoyed THE LITTLE PRINCE by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry --- Wikipedia lists it in its list of best-selling books as number three, having sold approximately hundred and 40 million copies. This book, I predict, won't go anywhere near there. But it will tag along with high hopes, a commercial venture attached to some promise of artistry to come from Szado.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

In " Studio Saint Ex" Ania Szado weaves a passionate and evocative story of three people in New York during WWII. Using real historical characters - Consuelo and Antonio Exupéry- and their fiery marital relationship as the foundation of her plot, the writer weaves a tale of betrayal, loneliness, friendship, love and loss which is as creative as it is gripping. The story centers around the relationship of the Count and Countess Exupéry with a young fashion designer - Mignonne Lachapelle who's left Montreal to make a name for herself in New York.
Having once mentored Tonio in English, Mig finds herself immersed again in their love affair when they meet at an exclusive club in New York. Into this romantic mix add Consuelo the tempestuous wife of the writer and her lover Binty, the weapon she tries to wield against her husband.
With their vivid and mercurial personalities the characters easily draw the reader into a story that encompasses the world of literature and fashion. Consuelo with her twisted morality, hot-temper and her passionate nature is a perfect foil for the young impressionable Mig who loves an older man- Tonio. Antonio is the consummate author, child-like in his emotional neediness and absorbed not just with the Little Prince, his latest creation, but with his desire to liberate his country-France. Using sophisticated prose Ania Szado builds a world in need of deliverance from the cruelty and loss of loving improperly. This book which I won from the Goodread Giveaways is well worth reading.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this book through the Goodreads First Reads Program in exchange for an unbiased review.

Now I like historical novels, the further back in history the better, thus normally I would not have been interested in a story set during the Second World War, too recent for my tastes. But I grew up with The Little Prince, perhaps I could learn something about its author, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Plus there was a Canadian connection which never hurts.

What I didn't expect was to be completely drawn into the story. I could care less about fashion, but next thing I knew I was in love with the flow of fabric, the way it drapes over the body, I began to understand how fashion was indeed an art form. I'm glad there weren't any illustrations because it allowed the reader to imagine the dresses Mignonne designs.

Now while the story does revolve around the enigmatic and conflicted de Saint-Exupéry, we never see anything from his POV, only through the eyes of the two women in his life - his fictional mistress Mignonne, and his very real wife Consuelo. This book not only makes you fall in love with fashion, apparently Antoine has a way of making women fall in love with him even through the pages of a book 70 after his mysterious death.

So while this book falls completely outside my regular genres, I found myself so drawn into the story, and so attached to the characters, I can't give less than five stars. I just wish my copy had come with that gorgeous blue-black cover!

[Guylou (Two Dogs and a Book) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received a copy of this book from Netgalley last year and did not have the chance to read it until today. Now I regret I did not lay my eyes on this timeless story before.

I read and reread "Le petit prince" (The small prince) by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry as a child. The story enthralled me and although the end is sad and full of melancholy; it is also full of love and hope. My parents bought me a recording of "Le petit Prince" read by the author and it was magical.

I did not know much about the life of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. I did not know that a small eight years old from Québec City (neighbour of my native town) was the inspiration for this wonderful children's book.

Why am I talking about "Le petit prince" and not "Studio Saint-Ex", you ask? I am getting to it. This book is about a short period of time of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry while he was in New York waiting to join the allies to fight for the freedom of his beloved France. During his stay in the U.S. he wrote "Le Petit Prince" and it was published just before he went to Northen Africa to fight and die for his country. Although the story is fiction, the author (Ania Szado) used a lot of documented facts of the life of Antoine and his wife Consuelo.

The story is beautifully written and interesting through and through. I would have given it 4.5 if that was allowed.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

To begin, I read an advanced uncorrected proof of this novel from a Goodreads giveaway.

This was a great book, I really enjoyed it. Before reading this novel, I wasn't familiar with Antoine de Saint-Exupery or his wife, although I had heard of his book, The Little Prince. Ania Szado drew wonderful characters and brought them to life; my curiosity regarding Saint-Exupery and his wife is certainly piqued, and I will likely read his writings and her memoirs in the future (and other works by Szado, it goes without saying).

In addition to the historical figures, I found the weaving of fashion with literature to be quite interesting, as well as the discussion of luxury and excess during times of war, upheaval and change. I don't often read about this time period, so it was a nice change for me. That being said, I can't say I really noticed a timely difference in tone throughout the novel - it didn't feel like a typical historical novel to me.

My only complaint, although trivial, is the ending. It seemed really short, considering it was built up through the whole novel, from the very first chapter. I suppose I thought more would have happened at the Expo. Other than that, though, I'd highly recommend this novel.

[Danusia · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received Studio Saint-Ex from a GoodReads First Reads giveaway and looked forward to reading it because I expected to find details about the author of the Little Prince, a marvelous book I loved reading years ago. It did provide a historical background of the times it was written and of its author. Even if it is a work of fiction, the novel provides interesting insight into Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's life and his relationship with his wife Consuelo, in a more easy to read format than a dry biography could have done.
But it also gave me a glimpse into the fashion industry in New York during the Second World War. It is also a story about love, about passion and life choices. Very entertaining read.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ania Szado brings to life the 1940s, fashion, and Antoine de Saint-Exupery in the most magical way in Studio Saint-Ex. Her characters are utterly charming and irresistable, and Szado has written one of the most intriguing and complex love triangles I've read--I'm still mulling the trio over in my mind. Mignonne's devotion to fashion is inspiring and I found myself wishing I could wear her creations, and I was captivated by Consuelo and the remarkable (and awful) position she found herself in between Antoine and Mignonne. Szado's writing is breathtaking and swept me away from the start. I highly recommend this book!

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really intrigued by the concept of this novel and by the author, so I was really excited to win an advance copy from First Reads. It took me a while to get into... I found the story and the writing slightly disorienting at first. It probably took until about halfway for me to fully get into it--once I did, though, I really enjoyed it and raced through the final chapters. I'm sure that people who are familiar with "The Little Prince" will especially appreciate it. I wasn't, but that didn't stop me from enjoying this tale of tangled love, literary genius, and fashion in 1940s New York City.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story, which I experienced as an audiobook perfectly read by Cassandra Campbell. I wonder if I would have liked it as much if I had read it myself? I'm not sure that I would read this again, but I also know I'm not ready to leave the world of Saint-Ex behind. I've spent the last couple of days torn between wanting to know how the story ends, and not wanting it to ever be over. Surely the sign of a good read?!?

PS How cool are public libraries? I can browse the catalogue and download a book straight to my phone without leaving home or paying a cent. Brilliant.

[bossy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really liked it. I wish I could have learned more about Antoine and Consuelo's life before they met Mignonne.
I liked the short Chapters and the alternating point of views. I haven't read 'The Paris Wife' so I can't attest to their similarities, if not in storyline but in themes.
I would recommend it. I recently read 'The Painted Girls' and think this would be a great follow-up for those who loved that story.
I am still in my modern French lit immersion. Looking to pick up 'Paris' by Edward Rutherfurd next.

[Juniper · Rating 4 out of 5]

going to think on this one a bit. it was lovely - evocative and transportive. i think i will now have to read Saint-Exupéry by Stacy Schiff, and pair the fiction with the biography; it's been on my shelf far too long.

[Renée Doiron · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style was as elegant as the white silk dress on the cover, and the spurned wife was an extremely interesting and polarizing character to say the least. I'm not rating this any higher than a 3 because I struggled to understand the attraction that the young heroin had to Saint-Exupéry throughout the book.

[Angie Hardy · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first I wasn’t sure that I would be able to relate with this book. I like fashion but I don’t really have the same type of understanding or passion that is described in this book. But this book had me hooked. I really liked it.

I won a free copy of this book through GoodReads.

[Diana Eberhardt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and moving story of the author of The Little Prince, and two women who loved him deeply. Sad, happy, captivating, haunting, beautifully written...

[Jessica Ilse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and fluid and lyrical.

[Beth TeVault · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ridiculously beautiful.