Wild Lavender

by Belinda Alexandra

Belinda Alexandra returns with an exciting new novel as memorable as the scent of lavender. At fourteen, Simone Fleurier is wrenched from her home on a Provençal lavender farm and sent to work in Marseilles. Her life there is hard and impoverished, but Simone discovers the music hall and a to one day be a famous dancer and singer. But when war threatens, Simone makes a decision that will lead to great danger - yet ultimately prove that love, just like wild lavender, can grow in the least likely of places... Belinda Alexandra has created a tale of passion and courage that moves from the backstreets of Marseilles to the grand music theatres of Paris, from the countryside of Provence to decadent pre-war Berlin and jazz-age New York. WILD LAVENDER is a feast for the senses that will live on in the imagination long after the book is closed. 'filled with glamour, heartbreak, drama and suspense' - The Age www.belinda-alexandra.com

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Historical, Romance, Historical Romance, War, Ebooks

527 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Belinda Alexandra has been published to wide acclaim in Australia and internationally. She is the daughter of a Russian mother and an Australian father and has been an intrepid traveller since her youth. Her love of other cultures is matched by her passion for her home country, Australia, where she is a volunteer carer for the NSW Wildlife Information Rescue and Education Service (WIRES).
Belinda is also an ambassador for the World League for the Protection of Animals (Australia) and lives in Sydney with a menagerie of adored pets.
Join Belinda's community of readers at facebook.com/BelindaAlexandraAuthor

Reviews

[Dale Harcombe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three and a half stars
This story starts on a lavender farm in France. But Simone has no inclination or aptitude for farm work. At fourteen her life changes when her father dies and she is sent to work at her aunt’s boarding house in Marseilles. Life is hard and drab until she discovers the music hall. Simone also discovers the great gift she has – singing and entertaining people.
Over the years she falls in love and pursues her singing career. But then the darkness of war comes and Simone is forced to make some hard choices. I really liked the character of Simone. She is plucky and loyal even when sometimes others don’t deserve her loyalty.
There is a lot of detail about life in Paris. It shows a lot about the attitudes of the times, which were in many ways very self centred and pleasure loving. It also shows life in the music scene before it transfers to Germany and America. This is not a fast moving plot much of the time. The story is filled with details, so much so that at times it felt a bit weighed down by them. I especially found the time in Germany held my interest less and actually picked up another book and read it before coming back to this novel. But the pace certainly picks up as the story goes along. Towards the end I was turning pages as fast as I could. The book has romance and danger as well as being the story of a woman committed to standing by what she believes in. Simone is a great character.On the whole an enjoyable read that shows a lot about the attitudes and reactions of various people in society at the times.Worth reading.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This wasn’t exactly what I was expecting. Firstly, I was expecting a historical fiction that jumped back and forth between present day and days-gone-by - my mistake, there’s nothing about that in the blurb and I’m not sure why I assumed it would be like that. Secondly, I was expecting the story to be set amidst lavender fields, at least in part, and while it was partly set in the lavender fields of Provence, that was only a tiny fraction of the story, with most of it being set in Paris and some in Marseilles.

Having said that, these weren’t issues that detracted from the storyline, it just surprised me when I realised they weren’t coming to pass!

I enjoyed the story, although I put it down for over 2 weeks in the middle, which probably interrupted the flow of the story a bit, although I was easily able to pick it up again.

But it was very well-written, an interesting read of life in occupied Paris as the Nazis swept through, and the hard work put in secretly by the Resistance workers to do what they could to outfox them.

I’m looking forward to reading more by Belinda Alexandra at some point.

[BlueSky · Rating 2 out of 5]

A very disappointing follow up to White Gardenia. The main character was sickeningly perfect - everything fell into her lap. It seems to me Belinda Alexander wrote this to share what she'd learned in her research , rather than because she had a cracking good story to tell.

[Irene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una novela, que como los cabaréts de París de los años 30 y 40 , tiene una historia que no para de dar vueltas, que se disfruta y destila su magia hacia un gran final.
Una montaña rusa de emociones que embriaga como el olor de las lavandas silvestres.

Muy bueno!

[Bookish Bluestocking · Rating 4 out of 5]

Αν και έχω όλα τα βιβλία της Belinda Alexandra, το συγκεκριμένο είναι το πρώτο που διαβάζω και με εξέπληξε ευχάριστα. Το βιβλίο αφηγείται την ιστορία της Σιμόν Φλεριέ, που ξεκίνησε από μια ταπεινή φάρμα λεβάντας στην Προβηγκία και κατέληξε ένα από τα μεγαλύτερα αστέρια του καλλιτεχνικού στερεώματος στην Γαλλία, δίπλα σε ονόματα όπως η Μιστενγκετ, η Τζοζεφιν Μπεικερ ή ο Μωρίς Σεβαλιέ. Χωρίς να είναι κάτι που εισέρχεται βαθιά σε νοήματα ή συναισθήματα ή έννοιες, το βιβλίο είναι πολύ καλογραμμένο και είναι γοητευτική η ξενάγηση στους χώρους των καλλιτεχνών του 1920 έως και το 1940. Η συγγραφέας κάνει μια πολύ καλή αναπαράσταση της εποχής και μας μεταφέρει νοερά και πολύ κοντά στα καμπαρέ, τα θέατρα και τη ζωή των ανθρώπων που δούλευαν εκεί, από την ταπεινή ράφτρα έως την πρωταγωνίστρια και είναι αρκετά παραστατική για τις θυσίες και τις δυσκολίες της ζωής του θεάματος. Επίσης, ομοίως παραστατική είναι και η περιγραφή της αντιμετώπισης των παριζιάνων αναφορικά με τους γερμανούς κατακτητές το 1940. Θεωρώ ότι έχει κάνει ιστορική έρευνα (χωρίς όμως να είμαι ειδική ή να έχω εντρυφήσει στο θέμα) και παρουσιάζει αξιοπρεπώς τα θέματα του βιβλίου.

[Χ. ΚΟΥΡΟΥΠΑΚΗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ένα ιστορικό έπος που περιγράφει την ζωή της Σιμόν Φλεριέ, από την εποχή που ζει ως μικρό κορίτσι σε ένα αγρόκτημα πλημμυρισμένο με το άρωμα της λεβάντας στην Προβηγκία με την οικογένεια της , έως το Παρίσι και την επιτυχία της στις καλύτερες μουσικές αίθουσες του κόσμου.
Μετά τον θάνατο του αγαπημένου της πατέρα η Σιμόν αναγκάζεται να φύγει από το αγρόκτημα και να πάει ως παραδουλεύτρα μιας μακρινής θείας στην Μασσαλία.
Η ζωή της εκεί είναι σκληρή και γεμάτη κακουχίες αλλά γνωρίζοντας μια ένοικο του σπιτιού την Καμίλ Καζάν και ακολουθώντας την μια μέρα ανακαλύπτει την μαγεία του θεάτρου. Αποφασίζει να φύγει από το σπίτι της θείας και να δουλέψει στο θέατρο , αφού ανακαλύπτει το σπάνιο δώρο που έχει – μια υπέροχη φωνή.
Στα χρόνια που έρχονται ακολουθεί την καριέρα της τραγουδίστριας και μας ταξιδεύει στην Γαλλία, στο Βερολίνο, στις διάσημες μουσικές σκηνές, στα καφέ-σαντάν και μάχεται με σύμμαχο το ήθος της και την ακεραιότητα του χαρακτήρα της για να γίνει διάσημη. Γνωρίζει τον Αντρέ που γίνεται ο μέντορας της και ερωτεύονται, όμως για την ευτυχία του αγαπημένου της θα χρειαστεί να πάρει μια δύσκολη απόφαση.
Αλλά τότε έρχεται το σκοτάδι του πολέμου και η Σιμόν πρέπει να κάνει κάποιες σκληρές επιλογές. Παίρνει μέρος στην Γαλλική Αντίσταση και γίνεται η Άγρια Λεβάντα χρησιμοποιώντας την φήμη και τα χρήματα της για να κρύψει φυγόδικους και να τους βοηθήσει να ξεφύγουν από τους Ναζί.
Ο χαρακτήρας της Σιμόν μου άρεσε, μια γυναίκα που κυνηγάει τα όνειρα της, έχει δύναμη και θάρρος, είναι πιστή ακόμα και όταν οι άλλοι δεν αξίζουν την πίστη της.
Αγαπάει με ένταση και πάθος , λατρεύει τα ζώα και τα υπερασπίζεται όσο κανείς.
Η Άγρια Λεβάντα είναι η ιστορία της αναζήτησης μιας γυναίκας για την θέση της στον κόσμο, της αγάπης της για την μουσική, της δύναμης της να κάνει πραγματικότητα τα όνειρα της, να αγαπήσει και να αγαπηθεί.
Μέσα από τους χαρακτήρες του βιβλίου, τις αληθινές ιστορικές μορφές, με φόντο το Παρίσι, το Βερολίνο, την Αμερική τα γεγονότα του 2ου Παγκόσμιου Πολέμου, βλέπουμε τις αντιλήψεις του κόσμου, τον τρόπο της ζωής τους όπου οι άνθρωποι μπορούν να γίνουν ότι θελήσουν είτε καλοί ή κακοί, η Σιμόν δίνει μαθήματα ήθους και καλοσύνης και μένει αφοσιωμένη στα πιστεύω της.

[Margaret Galbraith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I shuddered at the size of this book but then was intrigued by the blurb. It sounded fascinating and I was not disappointed. I hadn’t read this author before unless it was a while before I joined Goodreads but I do look forward to reading other novels by her.

It’s a rather sad story with many ups and downs about Simone Fleurier. The stoicism through this character has to be admired and I’m sure the author has given those involved through this period in France the recognition they deserve. I did learn a few things I did not realise happened from that time but I won’t give any spoilers away here. It’s an excellent read and I’m glad I ploughed through the 500 plus pages. Not the largest story I’ve read but very worthwhile my time. Another book going off to a good home while working my way through some downsizing of my vast collection of books.

If you want to know a bit about France and the showgirls then the affect WWII had in everyone there this is for you! It’s fiction but well researched in the authors part even if some historians may disagree 😊

[Said Bouziane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this as a teenager and it absolutely cracked my heart wide open.

Beautifully moving book about love even in the darkest times.

Conjured feelings, images and characters that have stayed in my heart ever since.

[Lena Papanikolaou · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://lovebooksloveread.blogspot.gr...
Σιμόν Φλεριέ η κεντρική ηρωίδα του βιβλίου, τη γνωρίζουμε στην Προβηγκία να ζει μια ανέμελη ζωή, όλα όμως αλλάζουν με τον θάνατο του πατέρα της. Αναγκάζεται να φύγει στη Μασσαλία και να γίνει παραδουλεύτρα στο σπίτι της θείας της.Οι συνθήκες διαβίωσης της, απάνθρωπες.Από ένα παιχνίδι της μοίρας αργά αλλά σταθερά μετατρέπεται σε μια από τις μεγαλύτερες διασημότητες εκείνης της εποχής.Ο έρωτας της χτυπά την πόρτα από την πρώτη στιγμή που συναντά τη ματιά του Αντρέ Μπλάνς. Βλέπουμε στην αρχή την κοινή τους πορεία και στη συνέχεια τις παράλληλες ζωές τους.Μεταφερόμαστε στο Παρίσι στο Βερολίνο στη Νέα Υόρκη Το πέρασμα όμως του πολέμου καταστρέφει τα πάντα στο διάβα του.Τίποτα πλέον δεν είναι το ίδιο,ο καθένας δείχνει τον πραγματικό του εαυτό.Οι ήρωες παίρνουν τη ζωή στα χέρια τους και αγωνίζονται ��ια ένα καλύτερο αύριο με τρόπους θεμιτούς ή αθέμιτους.Όσο προχωράς την ανάγνωση του βιβλίου ενώ η αγωνία κορυφώνεται, γνωρίζεις νέους ήρωες. Άλλους τους συμπαθείς και άλλους τους αντιπαθείς.Αγωνιάς για την κατάληξη τους, η προδοσία βρίσκεται μπροστά τους και δεν τη βλέπουν παρά μόνο όταν τη δει και ο αναγνώστης!Ξεκινάει αργά αλλά στην πορεία του σε αποζημιώνει. Ένα βιβλίο γεμάτο αγωνία συγκινήσεις και μεγάλες ανατροπές

[Bronwyn Rykiert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story covers the life of Simone Fleurier from just after WW1 when she is 14 to the end of WWII. We meet her family, friends and work comrades and the many people who shape her life.

Simone’s father died when she was 14 and she was sent from her home on a Provençal lavender farm by her Uncle to work in Marseilles at the house of her Great Aunt. Her life there is hard and impoverished, but Simone discovers the music hall and dreams that one day she would be a famous entertainer.

She becomes that famous entertainer with the help of Andre Blanchard, who after 3 years as her manager asks her to marry him and she agrees, but his father says they must wait until Andre turns 30 before they can marry. With Andre she visits, London, Berlin, New York & South America where she dazzles them all. There is unhappiness waiting for her when Andre turns 30 though.

When war threatens, Simone makes a decision that will lead to great danger - yet ultimately prove that love, just like wild lavender, can grow in the least likely of places...

Belinda Alexander weaves her story amongst the real event and people of France so that I almost believed Simone was a real person rather than a fictional character. A beautiful story.

[May · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't given many bad reviews as I have always found something good in every book. Unfortunately, Wild Lavender for me personally, did not meet that conclusion.
This book was suggested to me by a saleswoman after I mentioned that my favourite book is The Bronze Horseman. Apparently these two books have something common, if I love one I will love the other... But for my case that was not true.

To start off, Simone, the main character, is barely tolerable. For me I found that the people she met along the way were far more interesting to read than reading about her dubious thoughts and opinions.
However, the main reason that the book did not gel with me was the way the war was portrayed. I was expecting at least half of the book to be based on the war in Paris (especially after reading the blurb), but all I got was a rushed over summary.
I will state that what was written in the last hundred pages or so finally lifted off for me and I could easily be fixed to the story... I just wish that it started a lot earlier for the characters and plot sake.
1.5 Stars.

[Maco Zaldivar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Me gusta mucho la manera en la que escribe Belinda Alexandra, pero el último libro suyo que leí "La invitación" me pareció flojo.
En cambio, esta novela describe la vida de Simone y su familia en la Provenza, donde ellos cultivan lavanda. Su padre luchó en la Primera Guerra Mundial, y por eso ahora sufre de estrés postraumático. Los años pasan y él muere; así que, debido a las cuestiones económicas, su tío la manda a Marsella para que trabaje con su tía Agustine.
Ahí conoce a la artista Camille Casal, y su vida cambia totalmente: se da cuenta de que el canto y la actuación son su vida; y de esta forma, su carrera inicia. Al poco tiempo, se convierte en una artista de renombre en Europa y América. Sin embargo, no mucho después empieza la Segunda Guerra Mundial, y todo cambia; ella incluida.
Vemos cómo esta mujer se sube a los escenario, le da pelea a la Guerra y se convierte en un engranaje importante de la resistencia.
En la novela aparecen personajes reales que enriquecen la trama, y aquí también hay maravillosas representaciones de la época.
Me gustó y lo recomiendo.

[HÜLYA · Rating 3 out of 5]

Etkili bir hikaye idi ancak baslarda içine giremedim kitabın beklediğimi bulamadım. Sonradan açıldı.
Sahne kostümleri VS çok ayrıntı vardı.
Kitap ortasından itibaren akici oldu.
Fransa'nin direnişini okumak güzeldi.

[Jo Eales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Lavender took me a while to get in to. The story of Simone’s rise to fame was interesting but I began to worry that the whole story was going to go in the same vein... and then two thirds of the way in, the pace shifted and then I was hooked. In hindsight, all the time spent following her story before the war led to a sense of being taken on a real journey by the end.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simone es el personaje principal de esta novela. A lo largo de las páginas te vas convirtiendo en testigo de su crecimiento como persona, del descubrimiento de sus talentos, como alcanza sus sueños, como se compromete como ciudadana Francesa. Aprendí sobre las Francia ocupada y la labor de los ciudadanos por resistirse a los invasores. Belinda Alexandra paso a ser una de mis autoras favoritas. Gracias a las autora por x esta novela que disfrute muchísimo!

[Maria Rosas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Esta ficción historica nos transporta a la Provenza a los campos de lavanda , donde Simone una joven de 14 años vive feliz con sus padres en la finca familiar así como tener de aliada a su tía Yvette, esto sucede en 1922 un incidente repentino y doloroso hace que la estabilidad familiar de Simone cambie y el tío Jerome con tal de no cargar con la sobrina decide enviarla a Marsella a la casa de la tía Augustine, la cual la coloca en su casa como sirvienta, Simone en Marsella comienza a deslumbrarse por una misteriosa inquilina de la casa de su tía: Camille Casal , la cual es una actriz en un teatro de variedades, en seguida Simone comienza a añorar esa vida buscando obtener la fama en ese mundo en apariencia perfecto, conoció a varios aliados pero también bastante gente resentida como la propia Camille , en esta parte en el camino de formación de estrella , el personaje de Simone no me cayó tan bien me pareció un poco banal , sin propósito , típica Mary Sue de la literatura. Lo único digno de mencionar es la agradable narrativa y el contexto social que vivían
La última parte de la historia que comienza con el comienzo de la segunda guerra mundial, vimos como el personaje de Simone comenzó a madurar , por la dureza del ambiente que se vivía , así como conocer el lado humano y empático y el amor que llegó a su vida de la forma más imprevista.
Una historia que nos invita a reflexionar sobre como la guerra producto de la ambición humana puede cambiar todo lo que uno conoce y que al final lo único importante son los lazos humanos que se crean (incluyendo hacia los no humanos como aquí la protagonista y su empatía a cada uno de sus animales de compañía que llegaron en distintas circunstancias)es un final esperanzador que invita a comenzar de nuevo a pesar de las duras perdidas y valorar a las personas queridas

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel crept up on me, and by the end, I was turning pages quicker than you can say vive la France! As much as we may struggle with the term, 'Chick Lit' definitely covers this novel, but oh was it so exquisitely done.

I would call this an excellent "convalescing" book: if you are recovering, recuperating or relaxing, this is an excellent choice of reading material. The story moves along at a good pace, the characters are well defined including with distinct names (so you don't need a cast of characters or an Excel spreadsheet to keep track of who's who and how they relate to one another), the story is simple enough to follow (even on painkillers) but interesting enough to keep you reading (and at times quite gripping). It's like an excellent TV mini series.

This is not high literature. But it isn't trying to be either. Belinda Alexandra knows how to craft a good story from good materials, and she does it excellently. If you aren't snooty about reading fine art and want a cracking good story with characters that capture your attention and pacy plotline, this is a great choice.

I'm off to check out other books by Belinda Alexandra now (a form of feedback in itself).

[Kristin Hedstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was intoxicating. Wild Lavender is the story of Simone Fleurier who grew up on a lavender farm in Southern France. Conflict ensues when Simone is ripped from her family after her father's death, and sent to work for a cruel great aunt. Through her dedication and perseverance, Simone becomes a rising star who finds love, but all of her success is threatened by the ravages of war. This novel was beautifully and expertly written. Fans of historical fiction, particularly fans of The Nightingale and The Bronze Horseman will love this book.

[Beáta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ez is egy olyan könyv volt, amit nem tudtam letenni, bár kicsit hosszúnak találtam. Mivel már több könyvet olvastam a szerzőtől, bizonyos történéseket ki lehetett következtetni.
Simone, a főhősnő, apja halála után kénytelen elhagyni a provence-i szülőházat. Marseille-be kerül a nagynénjéhez, aki cselédként bánik vele. Néhány hónap múlva alkalma nyílik az egyik varietét megnézni és innentől gyökeresen megváltozik az élete. Párizsban sikeres sztár lesz, de az odáig vezető út nem könnyű...

[Heidi Blackmore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book so long for me to get into, I was at 60% of my way through it before a story even started to form. After that it stopped and started a bit but was a good read. I have read three of Belinda Alexsandra's books now and this is the one I have least enjoyed. In saying that I will eventually read the ones I have not got to yet.

[Marion Brownlee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Much too long and drawn out. In the middle of the book the 2 main characters did an about face to what I thought they would do. The author builds up your knowledge of them so securely, that the reader is dissapointed with the characters choice. Quite frustrating, and hence UNBELIEVABLE.
I just wanted it to be OVER after 20 hours.

[Georgette Nanou · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://georgette60.blogspot.com/2020...

Τίτλος που εξιτάρει!Γλυκιά και απλή ιστορία θα μπορούσα να πω αν και περίμενα ότι θα εκτυλισσόταν περισσότερο στα μέρη της Προβηγκίας,λόγω της λεβάντας και όχι στο Παρίσι το μεγαλύτερο μέρος.Η πλοκή μέχρι το μέσον του βιβλίου κυλά με αργό ρυθμό εστιάζοντας στην ζωή της Σιμόν,αλλά μετά η ροή αλλάζει οπότε και ο αναγνώστης ακολουθεί την ιστορία με περισσό ενδιαφέρον με ανοδική πορεία της δράσης και η οποία κινείται σε μια εποχή ενδιαφέρουσα ,κυρίως ιστορική(χωρίς να είναι ιστορικό βιβλίο),συνδυάζοντας και τα οποιανδήποτε γεγονότα που αναλογούν στην πλοκή του αναγνώσματος,αφήνοντας βέβαια στο τέλος κάποια αναπάντητα κομμάτια.
Η αυγγραφέας εδώ δείχνει να κατέχει τον συγγραφικό του βηματισμό και δεν πρόκειται για μια γραφή εξολοκλήρου λογοτεχνική αλλά για μια Λογοτεχνία που απευθύνεται σε αναγνώστες όχι απαιτητικούς.Εξάλλου μια γραφή δεν γίνεται με λέξεις,με αφηρημένες έννοιες.Γίνεται με πράξεις ,με σκηνές,με όλες τις αισθήσεις και αυτό η συγγραφέας το καταφέρνει.
Οι χαρακτήρες είναι καθορισμένοι με εξέλιξη ορισμένων άλλοι συμπαθητικοί και άλλοι αντιπαθείς.Φανταστικοί χαρακτήρες που κινούνται περισσότερο στις μουσικές σκηνές της εποχής κάνοντας μια περιήγηση στον αναγνώστη στις μουσικές και θεατρικές αίθουσες της Ευρώπης την εποχή από το 1920 περίπου μέχρι το τέλος του Β.Παγκοσμίου Πολέμου.
Η αναζήτηση της ηρωίδας,η οποία ξεκινά σαν ένα απλό κορίτσι από μία επαρχία και όλο το οδοιπορικό της, για μια θέση στον κόσμο της μουσικής που τόσο αγαπά και αντιπροσωπεύει με κάθε κόστος και την διαδρομή της κατά την περίοδο της Ναζιστικής Κατοχής στην Γαλλία.Και φυσικά υπάρχει και η ιστορία αγάπης.

[Alex Wegner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me smile and made me cry, and although slow to warm up - it completely captured me and took me on a journey. As soon as I put it down I knew I would never forget it and recommended it to a friend.

[Rita Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an epic saga - a wonderful, enthralling story encompassing perseverance, great love stories, the horror of war and Simone's strength and compassion as she joins the Resistance to fight for her country. Well-researched, beautifully told and highly recommended.

[Catherine Rowntree · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Easy to read, fast moving, likeable characters and very well researched. I learnt some things about the Second World War that I didn’t know and the writer really made you feel the characters pain.
I’ve bought another of Belinda Alexander’s books to read. I like her style.

[Analu · Rating 5 out of 5]

He disfrutado mucho con este audiolibro y cuya lectura o escucha recomiendo si les gusta la novela histórica.

[Oceane Montanea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Esse livro foi uma grata surpresa para mim. Não esperava gostar tanto.
Simone Fleurier inicia sua jornada como uma jovem que perde o pai, e é obrigada a mudar-se para a casa de uma tia desconhecida e cruel em Marseille. O que parecia ser um caminho para uma vida de sofrimentos, na verdade dura pouco e Simone consegue logo sair da casa de sua tia e ir trabalhar em um teatro de variedades, dos tipos que faziam muito sucesso na França dos anos 20. A partir daí, seu esforço e coincidências felizes a levam à Paris, à fama e à riqueza.
Li uma resenha onde alguém dizia ter achado irritante a maneira como tudo dá certo para a protagonista. Eu penso diferente. Não acho que tudo dê certo para Simone, mas sim que a autora não se detém em momentos tristes e fracassados. A trajetória da personagem até a 2ª Guerra Mundial, onde atua como membro da Resistência Francesa, utilizando-se de sua fama, contatos e dinheiro para esconder fugitivos e ajuda-los a escapar dos nazistas, é sobretudo uma história onde a esperança está sempre presente. Momentos ruins aconteceram aos montes na vida da garota: morte do pai, maus tratos sofridos pela tia, inveja e picuinhas atrás das cortinas do palco, a perda de um grande amor, e os sofrimentos do final do livro, que me fizeram chorar. Mas esses momentos são nada além disso: momentos. Ela não fica remoendo, nem se estende nos contratempos. Conforme eles passam, ela cresce. Você vê a garota se transformar em mulher, perder algunas ilusões, ganhar outros sonhos, ter outras vontades e descobrir sua própria força e coragem.
Me interessei o livro inteiro, a leitura não decaiu em nenhum momento, e o final me fez chorar, tanto de dor, quanto de esperança e beleza. Seu amor pelos animais também me marcou muito, já que difícilmente vemos em um livro ese tipo de amor, que só quem defende e adora os animais pode sentir.
Finalmente, é mais um daqueles livros em que eu concluo que o ser humano pode ser o que quiser. Uns escolhem ser Hitler, enquanto outros são a força contrária, de transformação silenciosa, compaixão e bondade.

[Thebooktrail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Trail of the music halls of Paris and Berlin

With real historical figures and fictional characters woven onto such a rich background of tapestries, from the stages of the best musical halls in the world to staring war in the face, this trail is also a tour of the musical halls in and around Europe and the rise of a musical star as the rise of Hitler casts a dark cloud over Europe.

The blurb is slightly misleading in my opinion though as lavender or the significance of it has nothing really to do with the plot. It's a story of one woman's search for her place in the world, her love of music and her strength to break away from her poor background and to make something of herself. It's also a bit long if I'm honest and I think a shorter novel would have packed a stronger punch but having said that I loved being immersed in the backstage gossip and danger of the musical halls. This book should really come with a soundtrack!

Paris and Berlin

The two big cities of their time and the most iconic in the story. These are the cities Simone knows the best for she blossoms here and becomes the musical star she yearns to be. From such iconic places such as The World Fair, the Casino of Paris and the Folies Bergère she gets a name for herself but as war beckons and she falls into the group of the Resistance, her life takes a dangerous turn, Occupied Paris takes up most of the latter part of the story and its here where famous singers mingle with soldiers on the streets, where the occupation makes strangers out of friends.

[Beatrix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nagyon szép történet volt egy fiatal lányról, aki egy provence-i levendulaültetvényről indulva Párizs ünnepelt sztárja lesz. A történet az 1920-as években kezdődik és a II. világháború végéig tart. Simone egy igazi életrevaló kislány, aki megragadja az álmait és küzd azért, hogy elismert énekesnővé váljon. Az írónő végig kalauzol minket Marseille majd Párizs varieté világán. Olyan híres szereplőkkel ismertet meg, mint Josephine Baker vagy Mistinguette, akik a kor nagy dívái voltak. Akár a Toscán Rózsa esetében, a történet itt is a II. világháború náci megszállásában éri el csúcspontját. Hősnőnk a háború alatt is megmarad erős, erkölcsös és együttérző lénynek. Végig drukkoltam neki, hogy megtalálja végül a boldogságot.

[Bettina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed learning about the music theatres in Paris. Simone was such a strong character which showed throughout the story. Enjoyed the storyline of Simone and Andre, although that story didn't turn out the way that most of us would have liked. Didn't like Camille's character, but I guess every story needs a bitch in it somewhere. I cried when Simone realised that she'd lost her whole family in the war, but at least the story finished on a happy note and Roger was found alive. I would have liked to have known what had happened to Monsieur Etienne and Joseph as I felt that part of the storyline was left unanswered. Really enjoyed this book and totally recommend it.