Light at Lavelle

by Paullina Simons

In a world between wars, hardship and heartache bind a Ukrainian woman and an American man in this epic love story from the bestselling author of The Bronze Horseman.
It is 1929, and on both sides of the Atlantic, the world is about to change.
Isabelle Lazar, a young Ukrainian farmer, fights to save her family as the dark shadow of the Soviet Union falls over her ancestral land. Forced to flee and barely escaping the Terror-Famine which swallows millions of her countrymen, she washes up alone on America's distant shores, carrying the weight of her lost past and uncertain future.
In Boston, Isabelle crosses paths with Finn Evans, a successful banker, whose affluent, contented life is about to be shattered by the stock market crash.
Fate throws Finn and Isabelle together just as America plunges into the Great Depression. Amid the trials and struggles of their new life, an undeniable connection—that they both must hide—grows between the unlikely pair.
As their intertwined destinies hang in the balance, they discover that even amidst great tragedy there is always something left to fight for. In Light at Lavelle, bestselling author Paullina Simons weaves an unforgettable tapestry of love, hope, and fate, showing us that sometimes the greatest battles are fought within our own hearts.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Romance, Historical, Fiction, Audiobook, Book Club, War

483 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 6, 2025

About the author

Paullina Simons was born in Leningrad, USSR, in 1963. At the age of ten her family immigrated to the United States. Growing up in Russia Paullina dreamt of someday becoming a writer. Her dream was put on hold as she learned English and overcame the shock of a new culture.

After graduating from university and after various jobs including working as a financial journalist and as a translator Paullina wrote her first novel Tully. Through word of mouth that book was welcomed by readers all over the world.

She continued with more novels, including Red Leaves, Eleven Hours, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross (also known as Tatiana and Alexander), The Summer Garden and The Girl in Times Square (also known as Lily). Many of Paullina's novels have reached international bestseller lists.

Apart from her novels, Paullina has also written a cookbook, Tatiana's Table, which is a collection of recipes, short stories and recollections from her best selling trilogy of novels, The Bronze Horseman, The Bridge to Holy Cross, (also known as Tatiana and Alexander) and The Summer Garden.

Reviews

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paullina Simons is BACK!!
The Bronze Horseman will always be my favourite book of all time but this one is excellent.

[Linda (Lily) Raiti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with @paullinasimons books when I first read Tully back in the early 90s. Since then I have read nearly all of them. I even had the opportunity of meeting her at her book launch of Children of Liberty, in Melbourne … also many years ago. Needless to say, I jumped at the chance to read her latest novel. I am pleased today that it did not disappoint.

📕 Light at Lavelle is the breathtaking epic love story from the worldwide bestselling author of Tully and The Bronze Horseman. Paullina Simons weaves an unforgettable tapestry of love, hope, and fate, showing us that sometimes the greatest battles are fought within our own hearts.

Set in 1929 from parallel points of view -

Isabelle, a Ukrainian farmer flees as Russia invades eastern Ukraine and implements collectivisation to their farmlands.

Finn, a wealthy Boston banker, amid the great stock market crash which fuelled the Great Depression, following Americans for many years.

Fate throws these two different people together. What follows is an epic tale of re-building lives after hardships and tragic losses. Simons has an amazing ability to create unforgettable, multi layered characters with empathy and acute fragility.

At 563 pages, I absolutely flew through it, couldn't put it down! It’s a beautifully written historical fiction with an ending that had me holding my breath ❤️

All the stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to the wonderful team @macmillan for an advanced reading copy 💌

[Hannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My emotions are high and I need time to ruminate before writing a proper review, but I will say this. If you love The Bronze Horseman as deeply as I do then you’re going to enjoy this book. It doesn’t have as much romance, but it’s fitting and the story never stagnates — so if that’s your usual genre (as it is mine) don’t let that deter you.

4.5 ⭐️

[Jultri · Rating 2 out of 5]

*Spoilers alert* The first third of the book was interesting and enjoyable bar a few uncomfortable, inappropriate interactions between Finn and Isabelle. The author did well to introduce the two settings - 1929 Wall Street Crash and the terror of Russian occupied Ukraine. Isabelle is a kick-ass heroine, well she was until she fell for the privileged and spineless banker, Finn. He was equally clueless to the crisis at home as to the looming financial crisis, even when he was in the eye of the storm. Isabelle spent the book carrying him until she got dragged down by him. He was entirely blinded to his wife's mental health struggles until it was spelt out for him by Isabelle. That Vanessa was a self-centred, unpleasant person for most of the book did not mean she was deserving of their betrayal. Vanessa's behaviour was a direct result of her severe depression following her pregnancy loss, which she went through entirely alone without Finn's support during and in its aftermath. Then he had the audacity to blame her his prolonged affair with Isabelle. What happened to "in sickness and in health"? My heart broke for Vanessa towards the end. It's hard to compete against such a vibrant force of nature as Isabelle. It really is difficult to root for two protagonists who took advantage of a mentally ill woman to slowly engage in increasing sexual flirtations over many months before their eventual physical affair. I just wanted the author to focus on the historical events and the instant extended family thrown together under the same roof following their simultaneous bankruptcies. Instead we had to deal with the MCs' flagrantly disgraceful conduct and especially Finn's callous treatment of Vanessa towards the end and failure to own up to his own transgressions and faults. I ended up speed-listened to the last third of the book because I was not going to quit after investing 16 hours towards it at that stage.

The narration was excellent

[Lynsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Paullina is truly the master of the epic historical romance. I could not read this story fast enough or slow enough. Light at Lavelle is a lesson in deep characterisation, where growth and love grow from impossible hardship and leave you with unforgettable characters, just as the bronze horseman did. I am jealous of anyone yet to read it.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Who but Paullina Simons could perfectly mix the Soviet destruction of the Ukrainian kulaks, the Great Depression and a deep, but very complicated romantic relationship? (Yes, I loved The Bronze Horseman and its two sequels, which I read years ago.) The year is 1929, and the Soviet Union has decided to destroy the kulaks (landowning farmers) by any means necessary, including violence, intimidation, deportation and starvation. Isabelle Lazar is part of a Ukrainian kulak family, and she and her family become the recipients of Soviet terror. Isabelle ultimately escapes and winds up in Boston where she becomes a servant in the family of Finn Evans. Finn is a highly successful banker, but the wealthy life to which he is accustomed is completely destroyed by the Crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression. As the members of the extended Evans family (Finn, his wife, Vanessa, their two daughters, Vanessa’s sister and her son, Finn’s parents and Vanessa’s parents – and Isabelle) make changes to adjust to their difficult economic situation, Finn and Isabelle draw closer and closer to each other. Each of the characters in Finn’s extended family is well and fully drawn, as are a number of the members of Isabelle’s Ukrainian family. I will leave the details of the relationship between Finn and Isabelle to the reader – i.e. no spoilers.
This novel is a saga – so many events and issues are covered. We see in detail the violence against the kulaks, but we also see daily rural life in Ukraine and Ukrainian family structures of the time. The effects of the Great Depression and life in Boston during the Depression are shown in detail. But there is so much more: an urban family starting a farming operation in New Hampshire from nothing (including no utilities) and then managing it to success (thanks to Isabelle); getting visas for Ukrainian refugees and bringing them to the United States; mental illness (Vanessa); Prohibition and rum-running; and wonderful details of daily life and daily human interactions. Isabelle is a typical Simons heroine – strong in all ways and beautiful. I enjoyed her very much, but I was also drawn to each of the other characters as they worked (or didn’t work) their way through the life obstacles that were in their path.
If there is a category for Historical Romance, this would fit in it. I found it highly entertaining and I enjoyed every page. The ending was incredible! I listened to the audio and found it to be the perfect way to “read” this novel.

[Clarice]

Looks like this got a US release date finally 😅 May 6, 2025🥰

[Meegz Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

*4 Stars*

ARC kindly received via Pan MacMillan Australia for an honest review.

I have been a Paullina Simons fan since I read The Bronze Horseman years ago. That's my favourite book and series by her. I strayed from her books for a while but this one has brought me back to the memory of how good her writing is.

I will start by saying, this book is LONG. It's a slow burn that covers many things - there is a lot going on in Ukraine and the USA that is covered in this book - set in the Great Depression. Finn and Isabelle are really great characters. I truly enjoyed getting to know them and just adored Isabelle and her straight up personality and her quirks.

Through hardship and joy this story runs, and I enjoyed reading this - I was a little disappointed in the ending, although I can see why it ended how it did. It was kind of bittersweet. I was quite hooked on this one after I got into it, and I definitely recommend.

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[Casey Slattery · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hard book to write a review for. I read this book for a book club and that is the only reason I finished it. I’m glad I did finish it as the ending was surprisingly fantastic for a book that I struggled to find motivation to read.

The description of the book was “an epic love story” however I would describe it as “romanticising infidelity and lying”. Vanessa was a hard character to understand. As someone who has depression to the extreme of Vanessa’s state it was also hard to sympathise for her as taking care of your children comes first and even on my darkest day I get out of bed for my son.

Finn again is a character I could not relate to or particularly like. He’s a wet blanket. A man who provides for his family without a care of how they actually are or how he is himself.


The only characters I liked were the Ukrainians and the only part of the story I actually was enjoying reading was hearing about the Lazar family.

The last two pages were a brilliant end and seemingly felt like a good ending for Isabelle.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow burn at the beginning, but worth your persistence! What an ending !

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

[Lena · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars but rounding up to 4 for transporting me to a fascinating time and place in history. I didn’t know a lot about the Great Depression, and even less about communist era Ukraine, but this book brought those two distinct eras to life. I enjoyed this epic tale and the various twists I didn’t see coming.

My only complaint is that while most of the characters were realistic and likeable, Vanessa was a two dimensional antagonist with zero redeeming qualities. Whenever I read her parts, my suspension of disbelief was shattered.

[EmG ReadsDaily · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘She will do whatever needs to be done.’

This is a deeply emotional read.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will murder Paulina Simons with my bare hands.

[Rude Kadry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Są książki, przy których czas po prostu przestaje istnieć. Siadasz, otwierasz, i nagle okazuje się, że minęły trzy godziny, a ty jesteś już w połowie, chociaż to przecież cegła na ponad 600 stron. Tak właśnie było ze "Światłem w Lavelle". Nie wiem, kiedy ja przez to przeszłam, to się po prostu wydarzyło samo. To jest taka historia, która płynie. A ty płyniesz razem z nią.

Nie będę nikogo oszukiwać - to nie jest literatura wybitna. Nie jest to książka, którą profesorowie będą analizować na uniwersytetach. Ale! I tu jest to wielkie WOW - ja się od niej nie mogłam oderwać. Wciągnęła mnie emocjonalnie jak mało co w ostatnim czasie. I wiecie co? To mi się podobało dużo bardziej niż "Jeździec miedziany". Tam miałam wrażenie, że momentami wszystko się rozwleka, że te emocje są, ale jakby przykryte. Tutaj - one wybuchają.

Na początku powieść toczy się dwutorowo - mamy życie Isabelle jeszcze na Ukrainie i później, już po przybyciu do Ameryki, kiedy poznaje Finna i zostaje w jego domu. I niby mogłabym tu opowiadać wam całą fabułę, ale nie o to chodzi. Bo to nie jest dla mnie historia o tym, kto kogo spotkał, kto się w kim zakochał i co się wydarzyło. To jest opowieść o ludziach postawionych na granicy wytrzymałości.

Simons zderza ze sobą dwa wielkie kryzysy. Z jednej strony wielki krach na Wall Street, który złamał Amerykanów. Z drugiej - Wielki Głód na Ukrainie, gdzie ludzie dosłownie umierali z braku jedzenia. I nagle widzimy, jak te tragedie łączą się w życiu dwojga bohaterów, jak sprawiają, że łatwiej im się rozumieć, że rodzi się między nimi coś więcej niż tylko znajomość.

To, co mnie najbardziej uderzyło, to ilość wątków, które Simons tu porusza. Mamy życie Isabelle na Ukrainie - jej poświęcenie dla rodziny, konsekwencje tego poświęcenia. Mamy kryzys w małżeństwie Finna, depresję, biedę, poczucie beznadziei. To nie jest bajka, to jest prawdziwe życie. I właśnie dlatego ta książka tak mocno trafia.

A Isabelle? No cóż… ta bohaterka to dla mnie absolutne odkrycie. Polubiłam ją od pierwszych stron. Ona jest niezniszczalna. Można ją rzucić na samo dno, można odebrać jej wszystko, a ona i tak wstaje i idzie dalej. To jest taki typ postaci, którą się zapamiętuje na długo. Nie tylko dlatego, że dużo przeszła, ale dlatego, że pokazuje, że człowiek naprawdę jest w stanie przetrwać więcej, niż mu się wydaje.

I wiecie co jest najlepsze? To, że podczas czytania naprawdę czułam. Raz parskałam śmiechem, bo były takie sceny, które po prostu bawią. A za chwilę łzy stawały mi w oczach. I ta mieszanka emocji to dla mnie największa wartość tej powieści, bo nieważne, czy ktoś nazwie ją "niezbyt ambitną literaturą”. Jeśli książka sprawia, że człowiek coś przeżywa, to znaczy, że działa. Właśnie dlatego "Światło w Lavelle" to dla mnie taka lektura, która zostaje. Może nie w głowie na zawsze, ale na pewno w sercu. I serio - jeśli macie ochotę na historię, która pokaże wam trudne emocje, ale też doda trochę otuchy, to naprawdę polecam.

[Jeanette · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous read. It ticked all the boxes for me, an historical background combined with a beautiful story, one that includes the frailty of people and for others an inner strength that comes to the fore during extreme hardship.

The reader is taken to two major events in the world, the Stock Market crash in the United States that led to the Great Depression and to Ukraine. Another time when the world watched as it is today the brutality of a Russian invasion. 

The people of Ukraine were forced into starvation that was engineered by the Soviets. History reveals the extent of the horror, people forced to eat grass due to the savage stealing by the Soviets of all produce grown and unfair quotas put into place for which farmers had no chance to deliver, when in fact Russia had a glut of food.

Isabelle, her husband and two sons live and work on such a farm. However, they are not primary producers, rather they have stables where they breed, train and trade their horses. The motorised vehicle is yet to make an appearance in this part of their world. All the families and farms run a cooperative barter system whereby cash/coinage is rarely used. Each farm specialises in different produce. They have a comfortable existence for their time, several houses have been built for the extended families. However, their independent work and idyllic lifestyle starts to change when the Soviets make their presence known, meetings are held in the community hall where directives are ordered. Isabelle’s farm has never been tilled or cultivated for crops, their land is hard from being trampled on by their horses. Appealing for the necessary basic machinery to cultivate their land but ignored by the Soviets they have no choice but to do everything the hard way. The pressure is unrelenting and with Soviet personnel standing over them, sometimes more than those working with the added further threat that in speaking out the real chance of being sent to corrective labour camps or being shot culminates in many actually being murdered. After much heartache, the family make a decision to leave and to try and make it to Romania where they can make their way to safety. Some in the family want to stay and fight, they are well equipped with gunfire collected from previous wars as well as explosives but this seems unrealistic. Their strategy on leaving is to burn everything, houses, stables and anything they had been able to produce. On horseback, with others, Isabelle escapes but is separated. During this time of extreme trauma the reality of events becomes a void within her mind, one that takes time to unravel.

Finn is a banker, not just any bank, Adams Bank and Trust, it's a family bank. The entire family are fabulously wealthy, massive homes with several servants. Finn has a beautiful wife, Vanessa and two small daughters, they are the envy of many. However, Vanessa has a deep secret, a sickness and one that will progressively get worse as the family's fortunes drop to rock bottom. 

Finn frequents a shop owned by a Jewish emigrant, Schumann, his tailor. He loves going to see this tailor, he is amazed at the efficiency and talent of this man as well as his attitude to his customers. Finn loves the little dark shop, such a contrast to his shiny, clean bank. On one such visit, Finn questions as to why regular withdrawals are being made by Schumann, considering investments are going through the roof. Schumann explains about his increased costs, cotton thread has gone up and so has the cost for the production of steel for his sewing needles. If Finn had taken notice of this man with his lifetime of experiences he may have just saved himself from the heartache that was to come. On this occasion, Schumann takes Finn outside where he implores Finn to take Isabelle, now in America home with him. Incredibly Finn relents whereby Isabelle in time becomes a vital part of the family. 

The crash comes poof! All up in smoke or the ticker tape! All the posh homes are sold and the family move to the one remaining asset stuck out in the country, snowed in without electricity, these overindulged families are now beholden to Isabelle who thrives and after the snow melts has them all except Vanessa outside teaching them about farming. Vanessa, the ever spoilt rich girl is difficult, her health becomes a real problem which pushes Isabelle and Finn closer together.

[Paula · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the Bronze Horseman but disappointingly, this one just wasn’t for me. Set between the 2 world wars, and following 2 stories, it was interesting to learn more about Ukraine in the 20s, and the big crash / depression in the US. However, I found both Finn and Vanessa to be frustrating and wilfully ignorant - both flawed as all humans are, but Vanessa did not deserve how she was treated, with Finn blind to her grief and anxiety. Overall, I found the characters flat and couldn’t get emotionally invested in them. The repeated use of the Mae West joke wore thin after the first 10 times it was used. I skim read the last 20% just to get it over with.

[Molly Bankuti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wanted this to be 5 stars, thought it would be for the first while but for the length of the book some of the emotions felt a bit flat to me. Still really enjoyed the book, but wanted a bit more from it

[Kristina Horowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn’t get my hands on a physical copy as it is only available in Australia and New Zealand, so I caved and listened to the audiobook. I’m glad that I did! Beautiful, albeit sad, story that weaves together the Soviet collectivization in Ukraine with the Great Depression in a unique way.

I have to add, it was a little bit of a struggle for me to get behind a certain element of the story simply because it is romanticizing something that is just plain wrong, which is why I docked a star. But it was still a well written story.

[Meri Vukasin · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️ Quite a few slow points. I think the ending just broke my heart.

[Xenia Bard · Rating 4 out of 5]

This narrative is a powerful and moving journey through a dark chapter in Ukraine's history. Set against the backdrop of the Soviet Union, it delves into the horrors of the Red Terror and Holodomor while concurrently capturing a critical era in American history: the Great Depression. The story focuses on the characters' essence, the complexity of their lives, their emotions, and the diverse ways they cope with existence, as well as the relationships they forge and lose due to life's unpredictable turns—a fusion of historical precision and intimate narration. Employing sarcastic and incisive humor can enhance the story's impact without lessening its seriousness, but rather increasing its impact.
The writing offers deep insights into mental health, sorrow, rage, subjugation, despair, fellowship, and affection. The author adeptly immerses readers in the setting, making them feel an integral part of the depicted world.
The ending triggers mixed feelings—not entirely negative, yet not completely positive, reflecting the inherent uncertainty and intricacy of life.
In conclusion, Light at Lavelle incites profound contemplation. It leaves the reader with a blend of introspection and a gentle romantic longing, in spite of the harsh realities it conveys. The war and its consequences are harrowing, but Saimons presents them with honesty, making the book a compelling tribute to human endurance and relationships.


PS
I couldn't fully grasp Isabel's harrowing choice at the story's conclusion, and I can only surmise that the anguish was overwhelming, preventing Isabel from reconciling it with her genuine love. Yet, this explanation doesn't satisfy me. Isabel's compulsion to sacrifice her happiness for Vanessa, despite her resilience, confounded me, especially since it was evident that Vanessa did not cherish her husband. Moreover, I believe this decision inflicts further trauma on the daughters, who are already wounded by their mother's actions.

[Ozbernie · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️
A very long book of 563 pages so it took me a while but mostly because the middle of the book just dragged and was a real slow burn. The beginning and end however were much more enjoyable and wanting me to read on. I think it could've been much shorter but I believe the author was not only writing a story for us but also providing us with education about some very significant historical events in both the Ukraine and the USA during the early to mid 1900's. Some of the informative insights were at times a bit long winded so I did find myself skimming it however, some of it was very intriguing and memorable.

I know that Paullina Simons is renowned for her "epic" romances (none of which have ever come close to her Bronze Horseman trilogy - but I don't expect that). With this particular romance however, I was disappointed that it had to be from the angle of adultery and the poor mental health of one of the parties involved.

As for character development, I think the author has real talent for this and even though I didn't like the majority of characters including Finn and I found Isabelle to be quite off putting even though yes she was an amazingly strong and accomplished heroine who did go through such tragic events and survived a horrible ordeal. I also didn't like the way that Vanessa was portrayed even though I think the author did well in describing her condition - the comparisons between Isabelle & her were very stark and I didn't like the "goody" "baddy" depictions that both overtly and subliminally came from this. The couple of chapters touching on Vanessa's therapy in the sanatorium for 2 years (which was a strange amount of time to state) was interesting but was missing more depth and it didn't help to develop Vanessa's character enough.

What I did really enjoy about this novel were some of the very rich expressions and dialogue that the author is so gifted in producing - I think she has a really unique way with descriptions that paints a very vivid picture and really helps take the reader's imagination on a wild journey.
You can also tell that she has a lot of insight into the subject especially the reign of communism and it's atrocious effects.

Here are some excerpts I really enjoyed:

* Mirik was a reasonable man. Isabelle had swum all her years in the deep waters of tempestuous, impulsive, temperamental Lazars, each one more ferocious than the next. Isabelle needed the cool, still water of her level-headed husband.

* Isabelle seemed to adjust to her new situation better than Vanessa to the same old situation with the addition of a helping hand. Finn found it inexplicable that the woman who had escaped her homeland, presumably under some duress, who have been shipwrecked and was now alone, was adjusting better to her circumstances than the woman who had lived her life wrapped in cotton, slept on a bed of silk, had servants for every job in the house and whose single nervous malady seemed to be an overzealous need for organization and a slight antipathy to keeping time. However you weighed it, one woman played with the children and mimicked jokes, and the other woman grumbled. There was nothing so small that Vanessa could not blow it out of proportion.

* Isabelle may have shown the world a defiant, self-assured hardness, but now Finn knew. Just below her surface was the floodline of a shallow grave.

* Finn's business suffered more than most. An unemployed worker couldn't pay his mortgage or his loans, collateralized or not. And i they had a choice, they paid their mortgage first because families had to live somewhere. But increasingly, it wasn't even a choice. They couldn't pay either. Finn could raise the interest rate all he wanted, on his loans and his savings, deposits and his mortgages, it didn't matter. 1930 was a year of defaults, one after another, month after month. People couldn't pay their business loans, their personal loans. Few trusted the banks, and even fewer came in to open new accounts. What Finn got was desperate jobless people applying to borrow money. Money he know they would never be able to repay. Finn saw it snowballing the wrong way, and was powerless to stop it.

* "We believe Potapov said, "you are using your horses as a means of sabotage against the Soviet state"
"and how are we accomplishing this"? asked Roman standing next to his brother
"By having your female horses give birth only once a year"
"The gestation period for a mare is eleven months" Roman said, " I do not create a horse, Comrade Potapov, I merely breed it"
"You must do better! Why are your horses, which you are supposedly so famous for, giving birth to only one calf a year"? Potapov said. "Why is their pregnancy so long? Nearly a year? That is unacceptable. Couldn't you induce labour earlier and mate them again? Or you could see if there are ways to stimulate the horse to carry two calves instead of one? now that would be very productive"

* Potapov paid barely any attention to Yana's words or her departure. "We need to solve the horse problem! he said to the men. "The horses must product more than one calf!"
"You mean foal?: said Roman
"Whatever. and cows too - more than one foal"
"You mean calf" said Ostap
Foal, calf, whatever fucking thing! said Potapov. "But also, it's imperative that chickens make more than one egg a day"
"Lay more than one egg a day? said Roman
"More than one egg a day? said Ostap
"You mean to tell me with all your great expertise and technique, you have not found a way to make your farm animals more productive, comrade?" said Potapov. "This is why Comrade Zhuk and I believe you are actively sabotaging the Soviet efforts with your antiquated methods of animal reproduction!"
"Could the expert from Moscow please instruct us how to achieve these results." Roman said. "For the entirety of human stewardship over animals, chickens have laid one egg a day, mares foaled once a year and cows calved once a year"
"The capitalist infiltration is everywhere" Potapov said. "Even in animals. The Motherland reveres horses. We need more horses, more cows, more eggs. We must solve the horse problem, the chicken problem and the cow problem. To help the Motherland, we must!"

* "Comrade Lazar" Zhuk said, "don't tell us you are not partly responsible for the terrible horse attrition in Ukraine. In 1927, there were 130,0000 horses counted in your region. Last year, the number was only 40,000. I dread to think what the number will be this year, 15,000? Lower? Why is this happening if it's not intentional disruption?"
"Are you asking me about the socio-political situation in Ukraine, Comrade Zhuk? said Roman. "All I know is that last I had thirty horses and this year I have nineteen"
"You see!" cried Zhuk & Potapov in unison.
"I should have thirty-eight horses this year" Roman continued. "But many of my horses dies over the winter"
"Because you killed them Comrade Lazar"
"Because they were starving, Comrade Potapov" Roman said. "Because there wasn't enough to eat, and a weakened mare is not going to let a stallion near her when she knows she cannot carry a foal"
"You must force him!" Potapov cried
" I hope this is one of the questions before us on the agenda tonight" Roman said. "What do we do about the problem of the vital role that men horses - or as we like to call them on the farm, stallions - play in making pregnant our revered women horses? The stallions are starving, you see, comrade, and when the animal is hungry, it's simply not going to be in an amorous a mood. So how do we, in a Communist utopia, force a six hundred kilo horse to mount an unwilling, hungry, infertile woman horse and make her pregnant so that she can have two or three calf babies after about five or six months of pregnancy? We must figure this out" Roman said, "so I can do more for my part in the Revolution. But since it's midnight and we all must be up at sunrise to tend our farms, perhaps we can continue discussing the fascinating problem on the morrow?"
The discussion did not continue on the morro. That night Oleg Potapov was beaten to death. He'd had vodka by himself at the village centre and was drunkenly meandering down the street toward his boarding house when he was dragged into a side alley and killed with a blunt object that cracked his skull.

* Oh the fiction Finn wove to keep the truth from the one he loved. Was it cruelty or kindness? Was it that he didn't want his wife to worry? Or was he afraid her reaction would make it harder for him to hold it together? Was it for himself or for her that he kept pretending everything was all right?

* As the average American, one by one, hundred by hundred , million by million, kept losing his job, his car, his home, and sliding into default, so the bank's assets, one by one, dozen by dozen, hundred by hundred, kept sliding into default also.

* Isabelle was a toy boat thrown against the stormy will of others. Some who longed to leave, some who never could, baby boys who knew no better, an overprotective husband, a volatile brother, a violent sister-in-law, a gutless brother-in-law, and a mother who watched it all in agonized silence. Mirik was right. There was a lot to be anxious about.

* "But you know Isabelle, you can't keep comparing every single thing with the worst thing that has ever happened or is ever likely to happen. Just because thi sis not as bad doesn't mean it's good. 'That is true," Isabelle said. "But doesn't it help, little bit, to know how much worse it could be?"

* She spent the icy night forming and reforming herself, burning down, sweeping away, and then, in the morning, got up, cleaned herself up, fixed herself up, and got going.

* But January was a long month to live inside a snowed-in house, no matter how cozy it was. There was little wood, a shrinking supply of food and candles, dwindling coal, one deck of cards, and a mother- and sister-in-law whose main preoccupation was fretful agitation, salted by negative griping and petty grievances.

* Every morning Isabelle woke up and said hallelujah, and every night she went to sleep and said amen. The excitement and participation of Finn and his family reached extraordinary levels.

* As if she hadn't spoken, Omelian went on...."It was our duty to kill pregnant mothers picking of wheat from the fields. All of it was allowed and encouraged and right. We believed the Ukrainian farmer was trying to deliberately starve us to sabotage the Revolution, to upend our fight for fairness for all mankind, which was. most noble cause, the most valiant struggle. Therefore, his suffering was necessary. You may call us thugs, but we called ourselves idealists"

* "Why didn't you stay and fight?"
"How could I?" whispered Vanessa, her voice breaking. "I didn't ask him because I couldn't bear to have him look into my face and lie" She raised her hand to stop Crawford from speaking again. "I didn't ask him," she said in a collapsing, deadened voice, "because I couldn't bear to have him look into my face and tell me the truth" She burst into tears.

* "Vanessa let him go. You clearly don't love him. Let him be.
"What are you talking about?" she cried. "Of course I love him"
"Not one thing you've told me comes from the mouth of a wife who loves her husband. I've heard a lot about what he did wrong. He doesn't understand, he doesn't care, he works too hard, he drinks illegally, he brought you to the farm, he keeps asking you to outside. That's what I'm hearing. Anger. Contempt. Disrespect. Resentment. Not even between the lines do I hear love"
"The love is there. It's just covered with those other things"
"Not covered. Buried. As in dead"

* "Oh fine, but I've had a lot to be afraid of, she said. "The loss of my father's bank. His heart attack. Adders abandonment of my sister. Our sudden calamitous poverty. Our moving to an awful remote place in the middle of nowhere. My husband's love for another woman".
"Every one of the things you listed except for the last one has already happened and been dealt with by people other than you. You were nowhere to be found. You left your husband adrift and alone. He is responsible for his actions, but if you cast the one you say you love into a storm, you can't blame only him for finding a life raft. Some of that, you must own"
"I'm confused, do I clean or not?"
"You don't clean first. You clean last. You don't clean for coping. You clean for reward. This is your chance to do something about the thing you can still do something about, Vanessa. You want to save your marriage? Talk to Finn and then dust. Stop postponing the confrontation. Stalling only adds to your burdens. Say instead I will mop as a gift to myself - for facing the most difficult thing. Because to face a hard thing deserves applause, deserves reward. First you speak to him, then you scrub, knowing you have faced him. Sponge to your heart's content knowing you have earned it"

* "Has your way made life livable?" Crawford said. "For years you've been dusting the corners while your marriage fell apart. Now try dusting your marriage while your corners fall apart.
I fully expect that by the time you finish with the marriage and the fields and the cooking and the children, you will have so little energy for craping wax off candles that you will listen to Jack Benny, laugh a few times, and be out like a light"

* It's nothing, my love, she said with a forced smile willing her voice not to crack. "It's just my heartbreak making a little noise".

[Ilona * ksiazka_w_kwiatach * · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paullina Simons od lat uchodzi za jedną z najbardziej rozpoznawalnych autorek literatury obyczajowej dla kobiet na świecie. Nie raz spotykałam się z entuzjastycznymi recenzjami jej książek, a „Jeździec miedziany” od dawna figuruje na mojej liście lektur, po które marzę, by w końcu sięgnąć. Kiedy więc pojawiła się zapowiedź najnowszej powieści autorki – „Światło w Lavelle” – uznałam, że to doskonały moment, by wreszcie poznać magię jej pióra. Już sam opis i okładka urzekły mnie swoją elegancją i subtelnością, obiecując historię pełną emocji, głębi i wzruszeń.

Akcja powieści rozpoczyna się w 1929 roku, w momencie, gdy świat stoi u progu ogromnych zmian. W Ameryce rozkwita złota era bankierów i inwestorów, podczas gdy w Europie Wschodniej, w cieniu komunistycznego terroru, rodzi się niewyobrażalne cierpienie.
Finn Evans to bankier z Bostonu, który wydaje się mieć wszystko – sukces, stabilność, szacunek. Jednak za fasadą poukładanego życia kryje się tajemnica, mogąca zburzyć wszystko, co zbudował. Isabelle Lazar, młoda dziewczyna z ukraińskiej wioski, walczy o przetrwanie w czasach Wielkiego Głodu. Gdy los zmusza ją do ucieczki z kraju, trafia do Ameryki – i właśnie tam, w zupełnie nowym świecie, splatają się jej losy z losem Finna.
Ich spotkanie nie jest przypadkowe, a uczucie, które rodzi się między nimi, ma w sobie zarówno światło, jak i cień – w rzeczywistości pełnej kryzysu, biedy i moralnych kompromisów miłość musi pozostać tajemnicą.

„Światło w Lavelle” to powieść, która od pierwszych stron otula czytelnika swoim niepowtarzalnym klimatem, przenosząc go do misternie wykreowanego świata autorstwa Paulliny Simons. Z niezwykłym wyczuciem autorka kreśli przejmującą historię, oddając nie tylko atmosferę minionych czasów, ale także emocje i dramaty bohaterów. W swojej najnowszej książce Simons udowadnia, że potrafi splatać losy jednostek z wielką historią w sposób poruszający i głęboko ludzki.
Paullina Simons pisze z rozmachem, a jednocześnie z niezwykłą subtelnością. Jej proza pulsuje emocjami, a opisy mają niemal filmową intensywność. Lektura „Światło w Lavelle” przenosi czytelnika w miejsca, które ożywają wszystkimi zmysłami – czuć zapach ziemi na ukraińskich polach, słychać gwar amerykańskich ulic i niemal odczuwa się ciężar ludzkiego lęku po krachu giełdowym.
Autorka z niezwykłą precyzją oddaje realia epoki – od społecznych nastrojów, przez język, aż po mentalność bohaterów. Mimo znacznej objętości książki tempo narracji ani na moment nie słabnie. Wręcz przeciwnie – z każdą kolejną stroną coraz bardziej wciągałam się w tę historię, w której dwa odległe światy niespodziewanie splatają się w jednym punkcie.
„Światło w Lavelle” to jedna z tych powieści, które trudno zapomnieć zaraz po zakończeniu lektury i odłożeniu książki na półkę. Paullina Simons bez wątpienia potrafi oddać emocje, wnikając w ludzką duszę z niezwykłą wrażliwością i przenikliwością. Jej historia porusza nie tylko dramatyzmem wydarzeń, lecz także autentycznością emocji, które pozostają z czytelnikiem na długo po przeczytaniu ostatniej strony.
Były momenty, które mnie wzruszyły, oraz takie, które zwyczajnie bolały. A jednak – mimo całego mroku, cierpienia i poczucia straty – Simons potrafiła pozostawić w sercu czytelnika iskierkę nadziei. To właśnie ta subtelna równowaga między bólem a światłem czyni tę książkę tak wyjątkową. „Światło w Lavelle” to opowieść o sile miłości oraz o człowieczeństwie, które nie gaśnie nawet w czasach głodu, strachu i upadku.
Cieszę się, że swoją przygodę z twórczością Paulliny Simons rozpoczęłam od tej powieści. Jeśli jej wcześniejsze książki są równie emocjonalne i poruszające, wiem, że przede mną jeszcze wiele pięknych literackich chwil.

[Tez · Rating 5 out of 5]

“She opened her soul, her heart, her all to him.”

In 1929 Finns perfect life is thrown into chaos as the stock market crashes and he loses the bank he owns with his father in law, his wealth and his family’s home.

In the same year Isabelle, a Ukrainian farmer endures hardship as she and her family fight for their freedom against the Soviet Union.

Fate throws Finn and Isabelle together amid the Great Depression. As time goes by and without realizing it Isabelle becomes the beaconing light through Finns troubles and an undeniable connection grows between them. Isabelle finds solace in a new family when hers was lost to her and in time finds an unexpected love in the arms of Finn.

They have both lost so much and by finding each other they have slowly repaired their heart but deep down they know that their time together is limited.

Finn and Isabelle’s story was beautifully written. Isabelle’s story of life in Ukraine and losing her family was gut wrenching. Equally Finns story of being at the top and losing it all kept me so invested. His inner secrets and turmoil and his wife Vanessa’s mental illness was all so well written.
Paullina is the master of writing epic love stories and this did not disappoint. The ending! Oh my heart! I did not see that coming. Just such a beautiful story. 🧡

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in and around the stock market crash of 1929, the story alternates between Isabelle's past in Ukraine as the Russians enforce communist policies on her small farming village and Finn's daily life in Boston as the US enters the Great Depression. Their paths cross and eventually a forbidden romance develops. A gripping family historical saga, this is a good reminder of the hardships suffered by generations past. I did feel at times like things turned out better than they might have in real life (Finn and Isabelle did have some very good luck at times!), but overall a good holiday read. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

[Yelena Bosh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When an authors writing feels like home.

I will always pick up any Paullina Simons story because I know I will keep falling in love with the writing style and how she shapes her characters to feel so authentic and to feel so incredibly real.

The only part that was a surprise to me, one that I didnt expect is the end but in saying that, this story is still lingering in my thoughts..

Paullina Simons is a born written.

Every aspect of this story made me fall in love with being a reader and writer all over again.

Truly magical.

[Eva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Her books are so emotional and heart breaking. This book certainly tugs at all of the heart strings and left me very teary. Beautiful story with a strong female character this book did not dissappoint!

[Deb]

Loved this one.

[Laurena · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars
A great story teller

[Justine Ingaliso · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m still deep in all the feels of having just finished this book so, for now, all I can say is thank you to Paullina for writing yet another incredible masterpiece x