What do you think?
Rate this book
Daughter of Catalonia
1935. Luis, a charismatic Spaniard, elopes with Elise and they move to a small village in Catalonia. But little do they know that war will soon rip them apart. Some twenty years later, stifled by her life in England, their daughter Madeleine sets off to learn the truth about her father's death in the French Resistance - returning to the village she once called home. Under the heat of the Catalan sun, she soon finds herself confronting her past, facing the shocking secrets of war, and opening her heart to her own love story.
350 pages, Paperback
First published April 24, 2014
18 people are currently reading
97 people want to read
About the author
Jane MacKenzie
15 books29 followersJane MacKenzie has lived an exceptionally adventurous life, working in such far-flung corners of the world as the Gambia, Bahrain, and Papua New Guinea, and Switzerland and France nearer to home.
She is as much at home teaching in an African village as organising the research budgets of Nobel scientists, and is a natural linguist, picking up languages wherever she has lived, to complement the fluent French from her first degree in French Language and Literature.
She is an entrepreneur, an international expert in education, and latterly helped transform the UK Government’s Office at CERN in Geneva during two years as its Head. In her fifties Jane turned to writing novels, for a new challenge, and to fulfil a long-held dream.
Jane splits her time now between her homes in the Scottish Highlands, and in her beloved Catalan village in France, the region where her three novels have been set.
Jane is widowed with grown up children.
She is as much at home teaching in an African village as organising the research budgets of Nobel scientists, and is a natural linguist, picking up languages wherever she has lived, to complement the fluent French from her first degree in French Language and Literature.
She is an entrepreneur, an international expert in education, and latterly helped transform the UK Government’s Office at CERN in Geneva during two years as its Head. In her fifties Jane turned to writing novels, for a new challenge, and to fulfil a long-held dream.
Jane splits her time now between her homes in the Scottish Highlands, and in her beloved Catalan village in France, the region where her three novels have been set.
Jane is widowed with grown up children.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
April 8, 2014
Opening in November 1942 as Madeleine and her family make their way across the mountains, escaping from Nazi occupied France. Madeleine, her brother Robert and their Mother Elise intend to return to Elise's English home whilst their father Luis will stay in Catalonia, fighting the cause for freedom.
The story moves forward twenty years. Elise is dying, having never recovered from the death of her beloved Luis - the man she eloped with, the father of her children, the husband she never saw again after leaving him on that mountain pass in 1942. After Elise's death, Madeleine is determined that she will escape from the stifling life she leads in her Grandparents house. Her aloof Grandmother and her cold Grandfather were bitterly disappointed by their daughter's choice of husband, and both Madeleine and Robert have suffered ever since.
Almost on a whim, Madeleine travels to France, to Catalonia, to the village of her early childhood. She is determined to find out more about her Father. How did he die? Why did her Mother never speak about him?
In France Madeleine discovers much more than she bargained for, uncovering secrets and lies that are both shocking and life-changing, but also discovering a love that could heal the pain that she inherited from her mother.
Daughter of Catalonia transports the reader to the small close-knit communities in the Catalan region of France, communities who are still scarred by the events of the War. Communities that hold their secrets close, but have long memories.
Jane MacKenzie is a skilled author who magically brings the region to life. There are some novels that make the reader want to visit the setting immediately, and this one of them. The small towns and villages, the searing heat, the dusty shop fronts, the winding streets. The village squares with their cafes and shops, populated by characters who are lifelike, colourful and so well created. The author has captured the feeling of a small community devastated by the events of the war, split by the actions of some, and connected by the loyalty of others.
The plot moves quickly and Madeleine is an interesting and complex character. Sometimes childlike and innocent, but also world-weary and downtrodden, she is complemented by the cast of French characters, each of whom have a large voice and presence in the story.
The small French town setting and the wholesome and incredibly realistic characters that live there make this novel special. The story is compelling and meticulously researched. An evocative multi-layered story, I enjoyed it very much.
The story moves forward twenty years. Elise is dying, having never recovered from the death of her beloved Luis - the man she eloped with, the father of her children, the husband she never saw again after leaving him on that mountain pass in 1942. After Elise's death, Madeleine is determined that she will escape from the stifling life she leads in her Grandparents house. Her aloof Grandmother and her cold Grandfather were bitterly disappointed by their daughter's choice of husband, and both Madeleine and Robert have suffered ever since.
Almost on a whim, Madeleine travels to France, to Catalonia, to the village of her early childhood. She is determined to find out more about her Father. How did he die? Why did her Mother never speak about him?
In France Madeleine discovers much more than she bargained for, uncovering secrets and lies that are both shocking and life-changing, but also discovering a love that could heal the pain that she inherited from her mother.
Daughter of Catalonia transports the reader to the small close-knit communities in the Catalan region of France, communities who are still scarred by the events of the War. Communities that hold their secrets close, but have long memories.
Jane MacKenzie is a skilled author who magically brings the region to life. There are some novels that make the reader want to visit the setting immediately, and this one of them. The small towns and villages, the searing heat, the dusty shop fronts, the winding streets. The village squares with their cafes and shops, populated by characters who are lifelike, colourful and so well created. The author has captured the feeling of a small community devastated by the events of the war, split by the actions of some, and connected by the loyalty of others.
The plot moves quickly and Madeleine is an interesting and complex character. Sometimes childlike and innocent, but also world-weary and downtrodden, she is complemented by the cast of French characters, each of whom have a large voice and presence in the story.
The small French town setting and the wholesome and incredibly realistic characters that live there make this novel special. The story is compelling and meticulously researched. An evocative multi-layered story, I enjoyed it very much.
July 11, 2015
The book gave an insight into the Spanish civil war and beautifully captured the culture and atmosphere of a little French Catalan village. I thought it was a little unrealistic how Madelene was able to find all the contacts so easily, in an age where communication and technology was far from easy. An enjoyable read, if not a little unrealistic
July 22, 2015
Good first book. Loved the story and not all as it seems. Strong heroine and flowed well.
November 16, 2021
A passably entertaining holiday book
Daughter of Catalonia feels much like what it is. A gentle and at times languid trawl through the (mildly) darker side of some forgotten family history.
It’s also a story of a young woman coming into her own and also eating lots of lovely local food in France and Catalonia.
It feels a lot like a holiday book, similar to Guy Gabriel Kay’s Ysabel, where it’s clear the author is warmly reminiscing on memories of time spent there.
The only issue is the complete lack of much tension and the slightly pat romantic aspect of the ending. But otherwise this was a delightfully pleasant wee book, that will while away a cold afternoon spent dreamily wishing of sweeter warmer climates and fresh food from the sea.
Daughter of Catalonia feels much like what it is. A gentle and at times languid trawl through the (mildly) darker side of some forgotten family history.
It’s also a story of a young woman coming into her own and also eating lots of lovely local food in France and Catalonia.
It feels a lot like a holiday book, similar to Guy Gabriel Kay’s Ysabel, where it’s clear the author is warmly reminiscing on memories of time spent there.
The only issue is the complete lack of much tension and the slightly pat romantic aspect of the ending. But otherwise this was a delightfully pleasant wee book, that will while away a cold afternoon spent dreamily wishing of sweeter warmer climates and fresh food from the sea.
August 14, 2020
The book started of well and the first half is promising. The Catalonia that the author paints is beautiful and that's where it stops. The second half is boring. The story fizzles out to predictable end, the characters don't live up to their strengths and are in fact redundant and juvenile in how they react. It is obvious that's not what the author intended yet that is how they seem. And finally the last 40 pages seem as if the author remembered that she must end with a bang. So there is a hurried but unnecessary drama created which hopes to be thrilling but once again disappoints by its predictability.
May 30, 2017
Wow! Whilst reading this I found myself there, I could smell the grapes in the sunshine as she sat with Daniel in that shady nook. Yes I want to visit this village but sadly it's all in Jane`s imagination.
This is a brilliant first novel, good likeable characters that have survived WW2 and the occupation of France. The author has for me flawlessly combined the thoughts of a small generation of survivors with a little intrigue that gave this story an angle that I really did not see coming!
An enjoyable read, not fluffy or too heavy....just right!
This is a brilliant first novel, good likeable characters that have survived WW2 and the occupation of France. The author has for me flawlessly combined the thoughts of a small generation of survivors with a little intrigue that gave this story an angle that I really did not see coming!
An enjoyable read, not fluffy or too heavy....just right!
July 15, 2020
Better than I thought it would be. Good story but a bit soppy towards the end. I know the area where this was set and the descriptive stuff was spot on.
Didn't much like the central character which was disappointing.
Didn't much like the central character which was disappointing.
Read
August 7, 2021to-read
June 28, 2015
This was an amazing story, it had everything. A hint of mystery as the heroine tried to find her roots. I learnt quite a bit of the history and attitudes both during and after the second world war, and finally a bit of romance when Madaleine found love.
I felt the characters become real as I read.
In some ways it reminded me of the thread.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning a bit of history in an easy way.
I felt the characters become real as I read.
In some ways it reminded me of the thread.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys learning a bit of history in an easy way.
June 24, 2015
Living in Spain and having travelled to Galicia, plus being interested in stories which at least touch on the Spanish Civil War, I found this interesting as the characters move between Spain and over the border into France and cover a number of years.
It is an intriguing tale and a leisurely read at a gentle pace
It is an intriguing tale and a leisurely read at a gentle pace
August 22, 2014
A fascinating story about the after effects of World War 2 and the Spanish Civil War on a tiny fishing village in French Catalonia, marred by a weak heroine, a rather odd writing style & language that seems incongruously modern for the 1950s setting.
January 19, 2015
This was one I didn't want to end.
I loved Jane MacKenzie's description of a region of France that I really knew nothing about prior to picking up this novel.
The storyline and characters kept my interest.
I will look for any other works by this author.
I loved Jane MacKenzie's description of a region of France that I really knew nothing about prior to picking up this novel.
The storyline and characters kept my interest.
I will look for any other works by this author.
Read
June 9, 2022I took a while to warm to this book, but then was hooked. Great, clever storyline. I read this book in anticipation of visiting Catalonia so particularly liked the description of the landscapes and local people.
Read
November 9, 2014Not bad,I would read more from the pen of Jane Mackenzie.
October 4, 2014
Disappointing. Like the area rest did not do it for me!
November 10, 2014
A great book set in the South of France and Catalonia. Definately recommend.
January 1, 2015
Nothing too exciting. Very predictable. Not really my style of book or characters
January 1, 2019
A young woman returns to her birthplace in France and uncovers many family secrets. This is a good book with an interesting historical storyline
November 17, 2014
Pleasant, easy to read, lovely descriptions of French countryside.
January 4, 2016
rather a pointless storyline
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews