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Liberty Silk
A sumptuous summer read starring three inspiring women from three vibrant eras.
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women's destinies.
France 1919 : Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945 : Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1960 : Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means... An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women's destinies.
France 1919 : Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945 : Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1960 : Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means... An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
512 pages, Paperback
First published June 5, 2014
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683 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
May 3, 2016
“If liberty means anything at all, it means the right to tell people what they do not want to hear.”
----George Orwell
Kate Beaufoy, an Irish award winning and a bestselling author, has penned a captivating tale in her book, Liberty Silk that unfolds the story of three women across three generations tied together by the glittery world of the Hollywood industry with a tang of Parisian landscape, centered around a remarkable dress passed down from one generation to another until it becomes a piece of the missing puzzle.
Synopsis:
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women’s destinies…
France 1919: Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945: Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1965: Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means...
An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
Jessie Beaufoy, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, runs off and marries a good-looking French artist, who abandons her on the final leg of their blissful honeymoon in Finistère on the coast of Brittany. Later on, a heart-broken and shameful, Jessie accepts the role of a muse to a famous painter in the early eighteenth century's Paris. Twenty years down the line, Baba MacLeod, who too runs off to the glitzy tinsel town to pursue her dreams to become an actress only to begin her career as a personal assistant to a renowned movie star. later on, she changes her name to Lisa La Touche and immediately launches herself to become a really famous actress, but her life is dictated by the social norms of those era, which made her difficult to pursue her dreams. Another twenty years down the line, Cat, the apple of her parents' eyes, leaves her hometown to pursue her dreams of becoming a war photographer.
Well do not fret if you find the mention of some of the famous personalities like Coco Chanel or Mr and Mrs. Fitzgerald or Picasso. As the author pens this incredibly addictive and enthralling story from her grandmother's personal account, the story will warm up to the very core of the hearts of the readers. The writing style of the author is exquisite and is laced with evocative emotions that will make the readers sway with the story's poignant flow. The narrative is engaging and at times mysterious that will keep the readers glued to the story line till the very end. The pacing is moderate as the story shifts from one timeline to another with in-depth layering done by the author.
The dress from the book cover is an original gown from the from Liberty of London that passes from one generation to another which will ultimately bind the three women with a shred piece of missing puzzle. The backdrop of the three stories are vividly captured by the author into her canvas of this heart-touching story. From the 20s high-society in Paris to the 40s shimmering Los Angeles to the 60s war-torn Ireland and London, will make the readers feel like riding a roller-coaster filled with fashion, love, loss and fight for freedom.
The characters are inspired from reality as Jessie Beaufoy is the grandmother of the author and based on her letters written during the world war II to a famous painter, the author has penned the story of Jessie who is a romantic at her heart and her life is a sad journey who links her to the next two women. Lisa is the convivial woman who is struggling to give wings to her dreams but when she becomes an actress, she realizes that Hollywood is not all about money or glitter, there is a dark underlying truth to it. Cat suffers the honesty and rawness and hard life of being a war photographer, especially digesting the smell of death through the war-torn cities. Rest of the supporting characters are also quite well-developed.
The story is mainly about giving wings to one's dreams through challenges of those era when women were not much allowed to live freely like a man. Yet these three women keep up to their dreams and fight hard enough to live up to it. Overall the story is an enticing account of three women aspiring for their dreams and their love.
Verdict: A must read story through war, glittering dreams and truth.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Kate Beaufoy, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
----George Orwell
Kate Beaufoy, an Irish award winning and a bestselling author, has penned a captivating tale in her book, Liberty Silk that unfolds the story of three women across three generations tied together by the glittery world of the Hollywood industry with a tang of Parisian landscape, centered around a remarkable dress passed down from one generation to another until it becomes a piece of the missing puzzle.
Synopsis:
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women’s destinies…
France 1919: Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945: Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1965: Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means...
An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
Jessie Beaufoy, born with a silver spoon in her mouth, runs off and marries a good-looking French artist, who abandons her on the final leg of their blissful honeymoon in Finistère on the coast of Brittany. Later on, a heart-broken and shameful, Jessie accepts the role of a muse to a famous painter in the early eighteenth century's Paris. Twenty years down the line, Baba MacLeod, who too runs off to the glitzy tinsel town to pursue her dreams to become an actress only to begin her career as a personal assistant to a renowned movie star. later on, she changes her name to Lisa La Touche and immediately launches herself to become a really famous actress, but her life is dictated by the social norms of those era, which made her difficult to pursue her dreams. Another twenty years down the line, Cat, the apple of her parents' eyes, leaves her hometown to pursue her dreams of becoming a war photographer.
Well do not fret if you find the mention of some of the famous personalities like Coco Chanel or Mr and Mrs. Fitzgerald or Picasso. As the author pens this incredibly addictive and enthralling story from her grandmother's personal account, the story will warm up to the very core of the hearts of the readers. The writing style of the author is exquisite and is laced with evocative emotions that will make the readers sway with the story's poignant flow. The narrative is engaging and at times mysterious that will keep the readers glued to the story line till the very end. The pacing is moderate as the story shifts from one timeline to another with in-depth layering done by the author.
The dress from the book cover is an original gown from the from Liberty of London that passes from one generation to another which will ultimately bind the three women with a shred piece of missing puzzle. The backdrop of the three stories are vividly captured by the author into her canvas of this heart-touching story. From the 20s high-society in Paris to the 40s shimmering Los Angeles to the 60s war-torn Ireland and London, will make the readers feel like riding a roller-coaster filled with fashion, love, loss and fight for freedom.
The characters are inspired from reality as Jessie Beaufoy is the grandmother of the author and based on her letters written during the world war II to a famous painter, the author has penned the story of Jessie who is a romantic at her heart and her life is a sad journey who links her to the next two women. Lisa is the convivial woman who is struggling to give wings to her dreams but when she becomes an actress, she realizes that Hollywood is not all about money or glitter, there is a dark underlying truth to it. Cat suffers the honesty and rawness and hard life of being a war photographer, especially digesting the smell of death through the war-torn cities. Rest of the supporting characters are also quite well-developed.
The story is mainly about giving wings to one's dreams through challenges of those era when women were not much allowed to live freely like a man. Yet these three women keep up to their dreams and fight hard enough to live up to it. Overall the story is an enticing account of three women aspiring for their dreams and their love.
Verdict: A must read story through war, glittering dreams and truth.
Courtesy: Thanks to the author, Kate Beaufoy, for giving me an opportunity to read and review this book.
August 20, 2014
When I first read the catalog description for Kate Beaufoy’s Liberty Silk, I’d pegged it for a traditional saga about independent 20th-century women, one which would whisk me away to stylish locales and eras and make for an agreeable diversion over a summer afternoon or two.
What I got was much more. I was wowed by this book: by the author’s sparkling language, the wistful ambiance, the stunning settings, and the genuineness of its heroines. Although I enjoy historical novels about glitz and glamour, they often have a heartlessness at their core which keeps me at a distance. This isn’t the case here. The main characters, each of whom is very different, have a vulnerability that remains with them despite the life-changing experiences they endure.
The story intertwines the stories of three women from adjacent generations. Born into a wealthy London family, Jessie Beaufoy follows her heart and marries a handsome artist, only to have him abandon her on the final day of their honeymoon in Finistère on the Brittany coast. An eternal romantic, Jessie is despondent and longs to find him again – but her reduced circumstances and the corresponding shame persuade her to accept a role as muse to a famous painter in postwar Paris and on the Riviera.
Twenty years later, gregarious Baba MacLeod escapes London for a career in Hollywood, reinventing herself as an actor’s personal assistant and, later, as film star Lisa La Touche. Although she becomes a household name, she’s devastated by the rampant hypocrisy and the codes of conduct she’s obliged to adhere to. Finally, in the mid-1960s, Cat leaves her beloved parents in rural Connemara, Ireland, to become a war photographer.
Threaded like a silver chain through both Jessie’s and Lisa’s stories is the theme of how women’s freedom is held in check by men. Only Cat, living through the more relaxed social norms of the 1960s, has the opportunity to direct her life as she chooses.
And, yes – the dress on the cover. One other element linking the women is a custom-designed crepe de Chine gown from Liberty of London that’s “tiered like a Grecian tunic: a classic Doric column when one stood still in motion, a swirl of colour – primrose and geranium and cornflower blue and moss green.” Although it doesn’t play a large role in the story, it comes to symbolize where they came from as well as their connectedness.
Liberty Silk is high-class literary entertainment. The author was inspired by letters sent home from Paris and Italy by Jessie Beaufoy, her grandmother, who must have been a remarkable woman. Her novel makes for a beautiful homage to the real-life Jessie and to all women who aim to follow their dreams.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy at my request.
What I got was much more. I was wowed by this book: by the author’s sparkling language, the wistful ambiance, the stunning settings, and the genuineness of its heroines. Although I enjoy historical novels about glitz and glamour, they often have a heartlessness at their core which keeps me at a distance. This isn’t the case here. The main characters, each of whom is very different, have a vulnerability that remains with them despite the life-changing experiences they endure.
The story intertwines the stories of three women from adjacent generations. Born into a wealthy London family, Jessie Beaufoy follows her heart and marries a handsome artist, only to have him abandon her on the final day of their honeymoon in Finistère on the Brittany coast. An eternal romantic, Jessie is despondent and longs to find him again – but her reduced circumstances and the corresponding shame persuade her to accept a role as muse to a famous painter in postwar Paris and on the Riviera.
Twenty years later, gregarious Baba MacLeod escapes London for a career in Hollywood, reinventing herself as an actor’s personal assistant and, later, as film star Lisa La Touche. Although she becomes a household name, she’s devastated by the rampant hypocrisy and the codes of conduct she’s obliged to adhere to. Finally, in the mid-1960s, Cat leaves her beloved parents in rural Connemara, Ireland, to become a war photographer.
Threaded like a silver chain through both Jessie’s and Lisa’s stories is the theme of how women’s freedom is held in check by men. Only Cat, living through the more relaxed social norms of the 1960s, has the opportunity to direct her life as she chooses.
And, yes – the dress on the cover. One other element linking the women is a custom-designed crepe de Chine gown from Liberty of London that’s “tiered like a Grecian tunic: a classic Doric column when one stood still in motion, a swirl of colour – primrose and geranium and cornflower blue and moss green.” Although it doesn’t play a large role in the story, it comes to symbolize where they came from as well as their connectedness.
Liberty Silk is high-class literary entertainment. The author was inspired by letters sent home from Paris and Italy by Jessie Beaufoy, her grandmother, who must have been a remarkable woman. Her novel makes for a beautiful homage to the real-life Jessie and to all women who aim to follow their dreams.
Thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy at my request.
October 12, 2014
Having received a beautiful, signed copy of Liberty Silk from winning Marian Keyes’ Glittering Raffle, I couldn’t wait to dive into it, and I was not disappointed in the slightest. Marian writes she ‘fell in love with this – a beautiful, compelling novel,’ and I couldn’t agree more.
Liberty Silk tells the stories of three different women in three different eras, and will pull you further and further in as you learn how their lives intertwine.
First, we have Jessie in Paris, 1919. We meet a young women newly wed and besotted, who finds herself devastated when her husband vanishes while on their honeymoon. She sinks lower and lower until a twist of fate suddenly places her smack-bang in the Parisian cream of society.
Baba – AKA Lisa La Touche – is jetting off for the life of Glitz and Glamour in Hollywood, 1945, though she soon finds out that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, and the stars of the time are really just slaves to the Hollywood world. Finding herself in a painstakingly difficult situation, Lisa has some really tough decisions to make, and your heart will twist with angst for her as you follow her tough journey.
Headstrong Cat, the youngest of our ladies, is leaving London, 1965, as a photographer with a mission to make a difference in the world, but she was never prepared for the horrors she finds in some of the most war-torn and grief-stricken places she visits.
Prepare to laugh and cry as you fall in turn for these three beautiful women, transported between three wonderful settings. You’ll even meet some recognisable characters along the way; including Coco Chanel, the Fitzgeralds and Pablo Picasso!
I particularly love that Kate Beaufoy wrote this based on letters from her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, who fell in love with a painter in France. This genuine link to the characters gives the writing a truly earnest feel. (You can even head over to Pinterest to see the original artifacts from the book and some beautiful art work, which is pretty cool!)
The more the stories of these women unfolded, the more hooked I became to every word, and Kate Beaufoy leaves you begging for answers until the final pages.
As an extra treat at the end of the book, Kate has written a beautiful situation involving her Grandmother, as well as a quiz to find out which character from the book you would be – it’s a really lovely little touch to finish off on.
Overall, I really recommend this book wholeheartedly, it’s elegantly written and refreshingly different from a lot of other books these days. A truly enchanting read.
Rating: 5/5
Liberty Silk tells the stories of three different women in three different eras, and will pull you further and further in as you learn how their lives intertwine.
First, we have Jessie in Paris, 1919. We meet a young women newly wed and besotted, who finds herself devastated when her husband vanishes while on their honeymoon. She sinks lower and lower until a twist of fate suddenly places her smack-bang in the Parisian cream of society.
Baba – AKA Lisa La Touche – is jetting off for the life of Glitz and Glamour in Hollywood, 1945, though she soon finds out that it’s not all it’s cracked up to be, and the stars of the time are really just slaves to the Hollywood world. Finding herself in a painstakingly difficult situation, Lisa has some really tough decisions to make, and your heart will twist with angst for her as you follow her tough journey.
Headstrong Cat, the youngest of our ladies, is leaving London, 1965, as a photographer with a mission to make a difference in the world, but she was never prepared for the horrors she finds in some of the most war-torn and grief-stricken places she visits.
Prepare to laugh and cry as you fall in turn for these three beautiful women, transported between three wonderful settings. You’ll even meet some recognisable characters along the way; including Coco Chanel, the Fitzgeralds and Pablo Picasso!
I particularly love that Kate Beaufoy wrote this based on letters from her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, who fell in love with a painter in France. This genuine link to the characters gives the writing a truly earnest feel. (You can even head over to Pinterest to see the original artifacts from the book and some beautiful art work, which is pretty cool!)
The more the stories of these women unfolded, the more hooked I became to every word, and Kate Beaufoy leaves you begging for answers until the final pages.
As an extra treat at the end of the book, Kate has written a beautiful situation involving her Grandmother, as well as a quiz to find out which character from the book you would be – it’s a really lovely little touch to finish off on.
Overall, I really recommend this book wholeheartedly, it’s elegantly written and refreshingly different from a lot of other books these days. A truly enchanting read.
Rating: 5/5
May 8, 2019
This started off well,however i though the silk dress would make more of an appearance and be of more significance.
Overall a reasonable read but i did read the end quickly as got a bit bored by then.
Overall a reasonable read but i did read the end quickly as got a bit bored by then.
August 22, 2014
Jessie and Scotch are on their honeymoon, travelling across Italy and France during the early 1920s. Jessie is from a privileged background but has turned her back on wealth to marry artist Scotch. She can live without the luxuries she is used to, as long as she and Scotch are together. But when Scotch disappears one night, Jessie finds herself stranded in France without a means to support herself.
Lisa La Touche is about to fulfil her dream of becoming a Hollywood star. Moving from Britain, a country on the brink of war, to America is a bit of a culture shock but she knows this is what she should do, especially when she falls in love with a fellow actor.
Cat is a photographer in the 1960s, set on changing the world by showcasing her shocking images of war and famine. But it is Cat who is shocked when she learns about her heritage.
Told over three generations, Liberty Silk tells the story of three women who are struggling to find their place in life.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Liberty Silk as I haven't read any novels by the author (who has previously published books as Kate Thompson) but what I found was a beautiful, intoxicating book that I didn't want to put down. I was pulled into the lives of Jessie, Lisa and Cat as their stories unfolded bit by bit, drawing me in deeper with each chapter. Liberty Silk is a poignant tale as the three women, separated by time and miles, try to find their way in life and love. I was completely hooked, gobbling up the pages to discover the fate of Jessie in particular.
A lot of research had obviously gone into the writing of Liberty Silk and it shone through the pages. I loved the descriptions within the book and the mix of different characters - some fictional and others based on real-life people. I never knew what was going to happen around the corner, which twist or turn was going to surprise me next, which kept me on my toes the whole way through. It was an absolute joy to read and it is the kind of book where the characters remain with you beyond reaching The End.
Lisa La Touche is about to fulfil her dream of becoming a Hollywood star. Moving from Britain, a country on the brink of war, to America is a bit of a culture shock but she knows this is what she should do, especially when she falls in love with a fellow actor.
Cat is a photographer in the 1960s, set on changing the world by showcasing her shocking images of war and famine. But it is Cat who is shocked when she learns about her heritage.
Told over three generations, Liberty Silk tells the story of three women who are struggling to find their place in life.
I wasn't sure what to expect from Liberty Silk as I haven't read any novels by the author (who has previously published books as Kate Thompson) but what I found was a beautiful, intoxicating book that I didn't want to put down. I was pulled into the lives of Jessie, Lisa and Cat as their stories unfolded bit by bit, drawing me in deeper with each chapter. Liberty Silk is a poignant tale as the three women, separated by time and miles, try to find their way in life and love. I was completely hooked, gobbling up the pages to discover the fate of Jessie in particular.
A lot of research had obviously gone into the writing of Liberty Silk and it shone through the pages. I loved the descriptions within the book and the mix of different characters - some fictional and others based on real-life people. I never knew what was going to happen around the corner, which twist or turn was going to surprise me next, which kept me on my toes the whole way through. It was an absolute joy to read and it is the kind of book where the characters remain with you beyond reaching The End.
December 28, 2014
Did I read the same book as the other reviewers? I was really looking forward to reading this book as I find books with objects that last through time to be generally interesting. But in this case it fell flat, and the dress had very little 'screen time'. I found the characters fairly unlikeable and a bit dull. I also found the premise to be silly -SPOILERS- that Scotch left her because he 'loved her too much'. -END SPOILERS
I also didn't find the writing to be that fresh or entrancing, as implied by the Marian Keyes endorsement on the cover. Perhaps it was the Irish connection (or some kind of publisher or agent connection?) that made one of my favourite authors (Marian) lavish praise on what is a pretty average book. I don't know. But overall, I found this a very disappointing read.
I also didn't find the writing to be that fresh or entrancing, as implied by the Marian Keyes endorsement on the cover. Perhaps it was the Irish connection (or some kind of publisher or agent connection?) that made one of my favourite authors (Marian) lavish praise on what is a pretty average book. I don't know. But overall, I found this a very disappointing read.
October 30, 2014
This book worked in the opposite way to most books for me - I was really captivated at the beginning and then became really bored just after the halfway mark. Everything seemed to kind of slow down, and Cat's character was introduced far too late for me to be interested in her at all so I started skim reading all of her parts. I also thought the description of the book was kind of stupid, when the dress plays very little part in it at all.
January 24, 2016
MEEEEHHH. So unlikely it's actually painful.
November 30, 2014
Not a set costume piece as the cover and title might suggest but rather a journey back in time to the glitz and glamour of Hollywood of the 40s and Paris of 1919 and the secrets hidden behind the polished facades
The landscapes and settings are all so wonderfully evoked so when you realise that the author Kate Beaufoy wrote this based on letters from her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, who fell in love with a painter in France, the authentic touch is something that is invaluable and places the novel on another level.
As an extra treat at the end of the book, Kate has written a beautiful situation involving her Grandmother, as well as a quiz to find out which character from the book you would be – it’s a really lovely little touch to finish off.
After having read The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans and The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott, this caught my eye as it seemed to be as sumptuous and fashion orientated as the others. It unravels in a vintage style theme with letters written long ago about a love affair with a painter during WW1 forming the basis of this lovely winding story. The real inspiration for this story were the letters written by the author’s grandmother Jessie Beaufoy a character in the book and this makes for a unique and poignant angle for the story.
The dress – from Liberty’s of London of course – is a feature and is part of the heritage passed down here from one woman to another,coming to mean a lot more than a simple dress.
It was lovely to read how the author got the idea for this novel from real life - her own – and how she used this to blend and weave a story of fiction through the ages that all of us could enjoy and take heart in.
If you desire the cover and wish to indulge in the time periods it suggests then you could not do better than to lounge in your finest silk dress and feather bower whilst reading this, a glass of wine in one hand, reclining on a vintage chair.
Its sad, poignant yet full of hope as three different women in different times find their own way of getting through life and doing the best they can. From the glittering streets of Hollywood to the artistic alleyways of Paris, this is a whirlwind tour of some stunning and thrilling locations that you will not have experienced before – well not like this!
Quite remarkable.
The landscapes and settings are all so wonderfully evoked so when you realise that the author Kate Beaufoy wrote this based on letters from her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, who fell in love with a painter in France, the authentic touch is something that is invaluable and places the novel on another level.
As an extra treat at the end of the book, Kate has written a beautiful situation involving her Grandmother, as well as a quiz to find out which character from the book you would be – it’s a really lovely little touch to finish off.
After having read The Dress Thief by Natalie Meg Evans and The Dressmaker by Kate Alcott, this caught my eye as it seemed to be as sumptuous and fashion orientated as the others. It unravels in a vintage style theme with letters written long ago about a love affair with a painter during WW1 forming the basis of this lovely winding story. The real inspiration for this story were the letters written by the author’s grandmother Jessie Beaufoy a character in the book and this makes for a unique and poignant angle for the story.
The dress – from Liberty’s of London of course – is a feature and is part of the heritage passed down here from one woman to another,coming to mean a lot more than a simple dress.
It was lovely to read how the author got the idea for this novel from real life - her own – and how she used this to blend and weave a story of fiction through the ages that all of us could enjoy and take heart in.
If you desire the cover and wish to indulge in the time periods it suggests then you could not do better than to lounge in your finest silk dress and feather bower whilst reading this, a glass of wine in one hand, reclining on a vintage chair.
Its sad, poignant yet full of hope as three different women in different times find their own way of getting through life and doing the best they can. From the glittering streets of Hollywood to the artistic alleyways of Paris, this is a whirlwind tour of some stunning and thrilling locations that you will not have experienced before – well not like this!
Quite remarkable.
January 6, 2015
I adored this book. It was incredibly beautifully written and I kept make excuses to escape to read some more.
To find the author has based some of the events on her grandmother's story explained the love on each page.
It was just divine and I feel a little bereft now that I have finished it.
To find the author has based some of the events on her grandmother's story explained the love on each page.
It was just divine and I feel a little bereft now that I have finished it.
April 15, 2018
Hard going, uninspiring characters I didn’t warm to.
September 15, 2017
Found this book in my local "Little Free Library," I wish we had more of these in Philadelphia. I really like it. I thought Beaufoy was a perfectly fine writer who held my interest and made me mostly care about her characters - Jessie, Lisa and Cat. Though, I was a little bit disappointed in how easily Jessie and Cat gave up their babies. Especially Cat, because she pretty much quite the movie making business immediately after having her baby. It's true that the Liberty by London dress is not in the book much and doesn't play a super important role. The whole time I was trying to guess what the connection would be between all three women and the dress. . . it didn't take me too long to figure it out.
At least Cat finally broke the cycle. I think the book didn't need to be as long as it was, but I did really enjoy it once I got a little further into it. The first 100 pages or so were slow going. I'd recommend to someone who like historical fiction and romance.
At least Cat finally broke the cycle. I think the book didn't need to be as long as it was, but I did really enjoy it once I got a little further into it. The first 100 pages or so were slow going. I'd recommend to someone who like historical fiction and romance.
December 16, 2025
Started off well, interesting and intriguing with Perdita; descriptions involving Lisa / Baba gave a good insight into the realities of "stardom" in Hollywood, but by the time I got to Cat I had become bored and skimmed through the later stages. Unanswered questions about Perdita and how Baba got to England did not add to the enigma as may have been intended, but were just frustrating and made the overall story less credible. The "coincidences" of reunions and discoveries stretched belief too far.
December 13, 2018
Listened on audio. An intriguing tale woven from segments of real letters and family artefacts. However the story contained a profusion of French, and the reader mispronounced it all, which was very annoying!
April 8, 2019
This novel about three females generations is easy to read and has some interesting characters with links to real-life historical figures. Sometimes it seemed the story was manipulated to establish these links but generally the plot was plausible.
May 13, 2023
Absolutely wonderful and moving intergenerational novel.. exquisitely delivered. Beaufoy really transports you to the eras and lives of the protagonists, and threads their stories marvelously. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
June 19, 2024
Jessie. Lisa. Cat.
3 generations (about to be 4) on the mother’s side!
Historical drama is my cup of reading by choice. And I’ve been entertained thoroughly, nimejifunza mambo ya kila aina: art, creativity, secrets, romance, sisterhood!
3 generations (about to be 4) on the mother’s side!
Historical drama is my cup of reading by choice. And I’ve been entertained thoroughly, nimejifunza mambo ya kila aina: art, creativity, secrets, romance, sisterhood!
February 14, 2017
Quite an interesting book with unforgettable characters. Wonderful story that brought tears to my eyes at the end!!
January 11, 2018
Great story! Loved that the author based it on aspects of her grandmother's life.
September 3, 2018
Three generations of women--factor in three historical eras and one silk dress from Liberty of London. This is a multi-layered story and good reading.
October 6, 2019
Will look for other books by this writer, this was a lovely read, a good look at the world and the sorrows we .... choose? fail to avoid? do not recognise?
Read
May 11, 2020A truly delicious read. You cannot help but engage with the characters.
January 11, 2021
Easy read with a few good turns.
July 12, 2014
Liberty Silk tells the story of three different women in three different time eras. Firstly we meet Jessie who finds her life in tatters when her husband suddenly disappears on their honeymoon, seemingly leaving her penniless, alone and also (although not yet to his knowledge) pregnant. It is Jessie who first owns the Liberty silk dress which plays not only a significant role in her life but also leads to the further happenings of the story, long after Jessie is no longer alive herself.
Then we are introduced to Lisa (or Baba as she is originally known.) Her story begins in 1939 as she dreams of becoming a famous Hollywood actress, or more specifically a ‘Somebody’ (as in somebody who ‘wears shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, hats by Schiaparelli, diamond earrings and dances Cuban rumbas and Hungarian waltzes’…)
Then finally there’s Cat, who we aren’t introduced to until much later in the story. Blissfully unaware of her family legacy and exactly where she came from Cat discovers a talent for photography when she is younger and ends up becoming a successful photographer. Her job entails visiting notorious war zones and she is passionately fighting for justice in the world. However, when some of her family secrets are discovered she finds herself undertaking a new mission in life…
I was immediately enchanted by the synopsis of Liberty Silk. It sounded like a fascinating read, particularly as its set over three very different periods of time and told from the viewpoint of three very different characters. And what characters they were! I absolutely loved and admired Jessie, Lisa and Cat. They were strong, passionate and you can’t help but empathise with some of the battles they faced in life just to stay afloat. Particularly Jessie who I was often quite scared for. I found both Jessie and Lisa’s struggles heart braking and there are points in this novel where I can’t guarantee you won’t shed a tear. Nevertheless these three women are amazing.
The era’s that each characters story is set in makes for the ideal backdrop to the story. You have the terror and difficulty that Jessie faces when alone in Paris, the supposed ‘glitz and glamour’ of Lisa’s time in Hollywood which proves to be nothing but and then there’s Cat whose travels take her to the most traumatising war zones, then back to the comfort of her family home in Connemara, Ireland. I usually enjoy stories that are told from a number of different characters viewpoints and Liberty Silk was no exception to the rule. It was fascinating to watch the characters stories unfold through each other in the way that they did. Of course there is something which links the three women together but that’s not revealed fully until later in the story.
The other thing I really liked about Liberty Silk was how Kate Beaufoy successfully mixes fact and fiction into the story. There is a selection of famous figures that you are bound to recognise, we meet a young Picasso, the Fitzgeralds’s, The Beatles and even Coco Channel. We even bear witness to Jessie suggesting Channel name her new perfume ‘V – as in Number Five’ “It’ll never work.” Channel’s lover scoffs…
Another interesting aspect to this novel is that Kate Beaufoy was inspired to write Liberty Silk after finding letters originally written by her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy. Sadly Jessie died in 1985 but I found the conversation piece at the end of the book compelling and was amazed just how much of the story relates to the real happenings of her life. (You’ll see what I mean when you read it…)
I also really liked the quiz at the end which determines which character from you novel you are, especially having loved the characters so much, I found it a really fun touch (and my results showed I was Lisa…)
All in all Liberty Silk is a completely engrossing, gorgeous story. It may not be your typical romance but that’s all part of its charm. There’s fashion, drama, intrigue, everything you could want from a story and more. It’s the perfect tale to just completely lose yourself in. Beautifully written, it’ll take you on a heart warming, and at times heart breaking journey, which you won’t ever forget.
Then we are introduced to Lisa (or Baba as she is originally known.) Her story begins in 1939 as she dreams of becoming a famous Hollywood actress, or more specifically a ‘Somebody’ (as in somebody who ‘wears shoes by Salvatore Ferragamo, hats by Schiaparelli, diamond earrings and dances Cuban rumbas and Hungarian waltzes’…)
Then finally there’s Cat, who we aren’t introduced to until much later in the story. Blissfully unaware of her family legacy and exactly where she came from Cat discovers a talent for photography when she is younger and ends up becoming a successful photographer. Her job entails visiting notorious war zones and she is passionately fighting for justice in the world. However, when some of her family secrets are discovered she finds herself undertaking a new mission in life…
I was immediately enchanted by the synopsis of Liberty Silk. It sounded like a fascinating read, particularly as its set over three very different periods of time and told from the viewpoint of three very different characters. And what characters they were! I absolutely loved and admired Jessie, Lisa and Cat. They were strong, passionate and you can’t help but empathise with some of the battles they faced in life just to stay afloat. Particularly Jessie who I was often quite scared for. I found both Jessie and Lisa’s struggles heart braking and there are points in this novel where I can’t guarantee you won’t shed a tear. Nevertheless these three women are amazing.
The era’s that each characters story is set in makes for the ideal backdrop to the story. You have the terror and difficulty that Jessie faces when alone in Paris, the supposed ‘glitz and glamour’ of Lisa’s time in Hollywood which proves to be nothing but and then there’s Cat whose travels take her to the most traumatising war zones, then back to the comfort of her family home in Connemara, Ireland. I usually enjoy stories that are told from a number of different characters viewpoints and Liberty Silk was no exception to the rule. It was fascinating to watch the characters stories unfold through each other in the way that they did. Of course there is something which links the three women together but that’s not revealed fully until later in the story.
The other thing I really liked about Liberty Silk was how Kate Beaufoy successfully mixes fact and fiction into the story. There is a selection of famous figures that you are bound to recognise, we meet a young Picasso, the Fitzgeralds’s, The Beatles and even Coco Channel. We even bear witness to Jessie suggesting Channel name her new perfume ‘V – as in Number Five’ “It’ll never work.” Channel’s lover scoffs…
Another interesting aspect to this novel is that Kate Beaufoy was inspired to write Liberty Silk after finding letters originally written by her Grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy. Sadly Jessie died in 1985 but I found the conversation piece at the end of the book compelling and was amazed just how much of the story relates to the real happenings of her life. (You’ll see what I mean when you read it…)
I also really liked the quiz at the end which determines which character from you novel you are, especially having loved the characters so much, I found it a really fun touch (and my results showed I was Lisa…)
All in all Liberty Silk is a completely engrossing, gorgeous story. It may not be your typical romance but that’s all part of its charm. There’s fashion, drama, intrigue, everything you could want from a story and more. It’s the perfect tale to just completely lose yourself in. Beautifully written, it’ll take you on a heart warming, and at times heart breaking journey, which you won’t ever forget.
September 3, 2014
LIBERTY SILK BY KATE BEAUFOY
Book3 net gallery month
THE BLURB
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women's destinies.
France 1919: Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945: Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1965: Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means...
An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
WHAT I SAY
I loved this book but i got to say it took me a while to get into it i did not see the link between the three women at the start but i was hooked from the few few pages it got lots of twists and surprises it just a fab read
Jessie was in love with scotch his was a very good artist on their honeymoon in Italy and France in the 1920 's that were the story begins jessie turns her back on her family she left home to marry scotch but one morning she wake up to find him gone what will she do now ? She alone and penniless she had to sell things to live but she keep a lovely liberty silk dress this play a big part in the book jessie is pregnant with no where to go we get took on her journey how will she survive we not money you just get pull into her life you feel for her thing get very tough for her
Then we got Baba but she changes her name to Lisa la touche as she want to be a film star she want the glitz and the glam of this world it now set in 1945 we follow her life again you just get pulled into her life style i really felt for her sometime she would not eat just to get a part in a film . She fell for the wrong king of men sometime she had to make very tough decisions both Lisa and jessie have very tough decision to make in the life's
Then we got Cat i loved her she was a very strong minded young girl she wanted to make a different in this world we live in she a very good photographer the photo she takes were very hard to think about as she took photo in the most grief stricken places and most war-torn places
She lived in the 1960's i liked to hear about her life
Each character life is very hard i like that we got to hear about coco chanel we also got to hear about V or i should say number 5 the perfume it still one of the world best sellers i loved this story the whole book just fab you do not get the link between the three of them for some time we just get their three life story it all just flow along so well i loved to hear about all the fashion coco channel the dresses the glam it written so well at the end of the book we find out that the book was base on letter write after the war to Kate's grandma she had fell in live with a painter that where kate base the book on
All three women were so strong, determined women they all will fight for want they want in life the book very heartbreaking in places each characters just so different the backdrop to each character just pull you into their world
I can not recommend enough a fab book a gem
About the Author
Kate Beaufoy has an MA in French and English literature from Trinity College Dublin. She began her career as a professional actor before becoming a full-time writer. As Kate Thompson she has had a dozen novels published, including the number one bestseller THE BLUE HOUR which was shortlisted for the RNA award.
LIBERTY SILK is her first historical novel. It was inspired by real letters written from Europe by her grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, in the aftermath of the Great War.
Kate scuba dives to an advanced level and is in thrall to her Burmese cat.
I like to thank net gallery for letting me read and review this fab book
Book3 net gallery month
THE BLURB
One beautiful dress is the key to three brave women's destinies.
France 1919: Jessie is celebrating the last heady days of her honeymoon. But when her husband suddenly disappears she finds herself bereft. Until a chance encounter thrusts her into the centre of the intoxicating world of Parisian high life.
Hollywood 1945: Lisa has come a long way from her quiet, unassuming life in London and is taking Hollywood by storm. But all that glitters is not gold, and as the smoke and mirrors of the lifestyle she so longed for shatter around her there are some secrets she can never escape.
London 1965: Cat, headstrong and independent, drawn to danger and passionately opposed to injustice, has no idea of the legacy that precedes her. Once past secrets are unveiled, she has the chance to find out what liberty really means...
An evocative story of survival, betrayal and the invincibility of love.
WHAT I SAY
I loved this book but i got to say it took me a while to get into it i did not see the link between the three women at the start but i was hooked from the few few pages it got lots of twists and surprises it just a fab read
Jessie was in love with scotch his was a very good artist on their honeymoon in Italy and France in the 1920 's that were the story begins jessie turns her back on her family she left home to marry scotch but one morning she wake up to find him gone what will she do now ? She alone and penniless she had to sell things to live but she keep a lovely liberty silk dress this play a big part in the book jessie is pregnant with no where to go we get took on her journey how will she survive we not money you just get pull into her life you feel for her thing get very tough for her
Then we got Baba but she changes her name to Lisa la touche as she want to be a film star she want the glitz and the glam of this world it now set in 1945 we follow her life again you just get pulled into her life style i really felt for her sometime she would not eat just to get a part in a film . She fell for the wrong king of men sometime she had to make very tough decisions both Lisa and jessie have very tough decision to make in the life's
Then we got Cat i loved her she was a very strong minded young girl she wanted to make a different in this world we live in she a very good photographer the photo she takes were very hard to think about as she took photo in the most grief stricken places and most war-torn places
She lived in the 1960's i liked to hear about her life
Each character life is very hard i like that we got to hear about coco chanel we also got to hear about V or i should say number 5 the perfume it still one of the world best sellers i loved this story the whole book just fab you do not get the link between the three of them for some time we just get their three life story it all just flow along so well i loved to hear about all the fashion coco channel the dresses the glam it written so well at the end of the book we find out that the book was base on letter write after the war to Kate's grandma she had fell in live with a painter that where kate base the book on
All three women were so strong, determined women they all will fight for want they want in life the book very heartbreaking in places each characters just so different the backdrop to each character just pull you into their world
I can not recommend enough a fab book a gem
About the Author
Kate Beaufoy has an MA in French and English literature from Trinity College Dublin. She began her career as a professional actor before becoming a full-time writer. As Kate Thompson she has had a dozen novels published, including the number one bestseller THE BLUE HOUR which was shortlisted for the RNA award.
LIBERTY SILK is her first historical novel. It was inspired by real letters written from Europe by her grandmother, Jessie Beaufoy, in the aftermath of the Great War.
Kate scuba dives to an advanced level and is in thrall to her Burmese cat.
I like to thank net gallery for letting me read and review this fab book
July 9, 2015
A trio of women all living in different periods of the 20th century are all held together by a genetic link. One that will see them pass in and out of each other’s lives over the course of sixty years.
Our first heroine, Jessie is living in France. After being abandoned by her husband she begins to rely on kindness of strangers to get by; transforming herself from Jessie to Perdita – muse, socialite and lover of a famous artist.
Next comes Baba McCleod aka Lisa La Touche, a Hollywood starlet, maker of her own destiny and big dreamer. Her success comes during the pre-World War II period but after she has been left in a delicate way from an affair with a married actor Lisa has some big decisions to make. Can she leave the glitz and glamour of Tinsletown behind?
And finally there is Cat. She is the most strong willed and independent of the three; a photographer who throws herself into the most dangerous situations. Her adventures happen amidst a backdrop of sixties decadence along with the darker side of the decade – focussing on the political unrest of a period of history that saw dramatic social and political upheaval.
Kate Beufoy’s stunning novel was based of letters that her grandmother had written just after the First World War. She was working in France and fell in love with painter. The letters, along with a dress from Liberty’s of London and other artefacts became the premise of this story.
This is a wonderful novel; the three generations of remarkable, strong willed, determined women that had to fight against societal constraints to stay afloat is one that we all should want to read. Beaufoy has managed to capture three very distinct voices and separate them into three different historical backdrops (that in my opinion acted as tertiary characters throughout the novel) and makes you empathise and fight for each one of them. It truly is a love story in both the conventional and non-conventional sense.
I loved this novel. From the very first page I was transported into a different world. I was both titillated and impressed with how seamlessly Beaufoy mixed fact and fictionby introducing famous figures of the 20th century – such as Zelda Fitzgerald and The Beatles et al – into the story like they had a purpose in the narrative. However, I was more in awe of how much heart this story had. It was heartbreaking and heart warming in equal measure and I am genuinely sad that I have finished reading it.
Our first heroine, Jessie is living in France. After being abandoned by her husband she begins to rely on kindness of strangers to get by; transforming herself from Jessie to Perdita – muse, socialite and lover of a famous artist.
Next comes Baba McCleod aka Lisa La Touche, a Hollywood starlet, maker of her own destiny and big dreamer. Her success comes during the pre-World War II period but after she has been left in a delicate way from an affair with a married actor Lisa has some big decisions to make. Can she leave the glitz and glamour of Tinsletown behind?
And finally there is Cat. She is the most strong willed and independent of the three; a photographer who throws herself into the most dangerous situations. Her adventures happen amidst a backdrop of sixties decadence along with the darker side of the decade – focussing on the political unrest of a period of history that saw dramatic social and political upheaval.
Kate Beufoy’s stunning novel was based of letters that her grandmother had written just after the First World War. She was working in France and fell in love with painter. The letters, along with a dress from Liberty’s of London and other artefacts became the premise of this story.
This is a wonderful novel; the three generations of remarkable, strong willed, determined women that had to fight against societal constraints to stay afloat is one that we all should want to read. Beaufoy has managed to capture three very distinct voices and separate them into three different historical backdrops (that in my opinion acted as tertiary characters throughout the novel) and makes you empathise and fight for each one of them. It truly is a love story in both the conventional and non-conventional sense.
I loved this novel. From the very first page I was transported into a different world. I was both titillated and impressed with how seamlessly Beaufoy mixed fact and fictionby introducing famous figures of the 20th century – such as Zelda Fitzgerald and The Beatles et al – into the story like they had a purpose in the narrative. However, I was more in awe of how much heart this story had. It was heartbreaking and heart warming in equal measure and I am genuinely sad that I have finished reading it.
August 29, 2014
A beautiful story taking in three generations of women, each trying to find their own place in the world.
Jessie and Scotch marry at the end of the First World War and have a fabulous honeymoon travelling in Italy and France. Scotch is a talented artist but realises that he cannot provide the luxurious lifestyle that Jessie has grown up with. Jessie is abandoned and has to reinvent herself to be able to survive.
Lisa La Touche moves to Hollywood to become an actress during the Second World War. Longing for a life of glamour, she finds the reality less palatable and has to make difficult decisions that impact on the rest of her life.
Cat is a talented photographer, travelling the world to capture gritty images of war and poverty, but a serious illness brings her closer to her family and she uncovers her secret history.
Kate Beaufoy carefully weaves the stories together, using elements of her own family history which are fascinating. I was particularly engrossed with Jessie’s story, the fashionable circle of people that surrounded her and the sadness contained within her life. I wasn’t as engaged by Cat and found her story less interesting but she is a necessary part of the story.
The extensive research behind this book is clear, the detail is lovingly written and this makes it a really good read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld for my review copy.
Jessie and Scotch marry at the end of the First World War and have a fabulous honeymoon travelling in Italy and France. Scotch is a talented artist but realises that he cannot provide the luxurious lifestyle that Jessie has grown up with. Jessie is abandoned and has to reinvent herself to be able to survive.
Lisa La Touche moves to Hollywood to become an actress during the Second World War. Longing for a life of glamour, she finds the reality less palatable and has to make difficult decisions that impact on the rest of her life.
Cat is a talented photographer, travelling the world to capture gritty images of war and poverty, but a serious illness brings her closer to her family and she uncovers her secret history.
Kate Beaufoy carefully weaves the stories together, using elements of her own family history which are fascinating. I was particularly engrossed with Jessie’s story, the fashionable circle of people that surrounded her and the sadness contained within her life. I wasn’t as engaged by Cat and found her story less interesting but she is a necessary part of the story.
The extensive research behind this book is clear, the detail is lovingly written and this makes it a really good read.
Thank you to Netgalley and Random House UK, Transworld for my review copy.
August 10, 2015
This is one of those books that will stick with you for a long time as the language and the story are so descriptive. It certainly makes you appreciate what women had to endure when they are classed as the lower sex from the First World War onwards. The book tells the story of Jessie, a young lady from an affluent London family that finds herself in a difficult situation in France from 1919 onwards. It also tells us about events that happen to her daughter Lisa from 1939 onwards in Hollywood. Later Lisa’s daughter Cat comes into the story. The story alternates between events in Jessie’s and Lisa’s lives and then between Lisa and Cats lives.
The change in the chapters keeps you gripped and although you want to know what happened in that particular era you are also desperate to continue with the story of the other era. I loved how the story went the full circle and led you to understand the characters more. I liked how men played a part in the books and you could see that although part of you wanted to dislike the men Jessie’s life I found myself liking them. I was so glad that they were redeemed in the end and that Gervaise, the artist became such an important person in both Lisa’s and Cat’s life.
I really do not want to go into any detail about the story in the book as it will give too much away. I have had this book sat on my shelf for quite a few months and I am glad that I finally got around to reading it. I recommend that you do too.
The change in the chapters keeps you gripped and although you want to know what happened in that particular era you are also desperate to continue with the story of the other era. I loved how the story went the full circle and led you to understand the characters more. I liked how men played a part in the books and you could see that although part of you wanted to dislike the men Jessie’s life I found myself liking them. I was so glad that they were redeemed in the end and that Gervaise, the artist became such an important person in both Lisa’s and Cat’s life.
I really do not want to go into any detail about the story in the book as it will give too much away. I have had this book sat on my shelf for quite a few months and I am glad that I finally got around to reading it. I recommend that you do too.
September 20, 2014
I feel I can't do 'Liberty Silk' justice as I took so long in reading it, simply not having much time to read lately. I am not a historical literature fan and therefore would not have picked up this book except that it is written by one of my favourite authors. - Kate Beaufoy (Kate Thompson). I sometimes found it hard to follow as each chapter was dedicated to one of the 3 main female characters.
I did enjoy this book. But I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had the time to read it over a shorter time.
I did enjoy this book. But I think I would have enjoyed it more if I'd had the time to read it over a shorter time.
February 9, 2017
Interesting story I thought was a little confusing jumping back & forth between the generations. Some parts were quite engrossing and other parts not so.
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