Das Sonntagsmädchen

by Kate Lord Brown

Immer sonntags öffnet die herrschaftliche Villa in Marseille ihre schmiedeeisernen Tore und wird zum Treffpunkt für Künstler und Intellektuelle, die aus allen Ecken des Landes herbeiströmen. Auch der junge Maler Gabriel Lambert macht sich auf den Weg nach Südfrankreich. Doch es ist das Nachbarhaus, das ihn schon bald in seinen Bann zieht. Denn dort wohnt ein Mädchen, dessen Schönheit ihn vom ersten Augenblick an fesselt. Ein Mädchen, für das er alles zu tun bereit ist - koste es, was es wolle ...

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, France, Historical, World War II, Art, War

464 pages, Paperback

First published September 15, 2014

About the author

THE GOLDEN HOUR - 2025

Welcome to 30s Cairo, an epic and intimate story of friendship, survival and love.

Kate grew up in the wild and beautiful Devon countryside. After studying philosophy at Durham University and art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art, Kate gained a MA in Creative Writing.

Reviews

[Esil · Rating 4 out of 5]

3 1/2 stars. The House of Dreams deals with an interesting part of WWII history that I didn't know about, and for that reason alone it was worth reading. This novel has a couple of timelines. The first one takes place in 2000, and focuses on an interview between young journalist Sophie and an elderly artist named Gabriel Lambert who immigrated to the US from France during WWII. The second timeline focuses on Gabriel's life in Marseille in 1940-41. As a backdrop to Gabriel's story, the author uses the American Relief Center which was led by Varian Fry, an American journalist. The ARC had charged itself with getting artists and intellectuals out of France soon after the beginning of the Nazi occupation. Seemingly, this was a complex operation, made more difficult because there was real resistance to the initiative from the US government. The House of Dreams makes for a mixture of real history and people, and fictional characters with their own secrets and complexities. At times, it all became a bit messy and meandering, but mostly I enjoyed reading about this period of history through Gabriel's fictionalized story. It did help that Gabriel was an interesting character with a complex web of secrets that haunted him throughout his life. And it's hard not to like Sophie who turns out to have her own personal reasons for wanting to learn more about Gabriel's story. Despite the topic, it is a fairly light and fast read. It didn't knock my socks off, but I'm glad I read it -- I learned a bit of history and I was driven to know what happened to the characters in the end. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an opportunity to read an advance copy.

[Marilyn C. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book from Goodreads and Thomas Dunne Books. Thank you to both Goodreads and Thomas Dunne Books.

The House of Dreams moves between two time periods, the 1940's Nazi occupied France and the year 2000 in Long Island. The 1940's France story is centered on The American Relief Center run by Varian Fry, also known in present day as "America's Schindler." It is their mission to help well known artists and intellectuals escape to the United States. The center is set up in a beautiful old house called "Villa Air Bel." Several recognizable names in the art world stay at this house such as Peggy Guggenheim and Andre Breton. The year 2000, centers around Gabriel Lambert, who escaped France, married, and built a life on Long Island. For over 60 years, Gabriel has kept many secrets about his past hidden, but a determined journalist is trying to uncover what exactly he has been hiding.

The premise of this story is a good one, but my main problem with this book is the way the author moved between time periods. It became very choppy and extremely long winded at times. Two of the female characters in the book, Mary Jayne and Miriam, had such ridiculous conversations, I found myself wondering if I could finish it. One minute they are discussing how terrible it was to see men who were imprisoned behind barbed wire fences with emaciated faces. Then in the next paragraph discussing "how great the new house will be, just like in college or a swank hotel, it will be just like Christmas with music and dancing." Ugh, I almost couldn't stomach them.

Gabriel's story becomes interesting in the end which made me glad I stuck with this book. Also, enjoyable at the end is the author's notes that addressed what happened to Varian Fry and several of the artists that stayed there. I rated this 3 stars, but at times even dropping to 2.5 stars during the story.

[El · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won't go into a lot of detail here now because I read this book in order to write a review which will be online at some later date, I think, if that's how it works, anyway. But just for brief posterity, I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. I think the cover is lovely (but it's a stock photo and I've seen it used in a different cover recently, so that makes me a bit sad), and I was drawn to the story because it involves artists in 1940 and the rescue workers who helped them. There are real names throughout this story (Chagall! I love you!) which made the past story line feel real, in the way many reflections on what 1940 was like feels "real", which is whatever glamorized version of that period was.

The present time in the story was also interesting because therein lies a bit of a mystery, and I'm always into books that involve some family mystery/research/finding out of the truth, and I was not necessarily disappointed, but the twist at the end was a bit... meh... I'm not entirely sure how I felt about the twist. It was surprising, yes, but I'm not sure it was the direction I would have gone. Which is fine because I'm not the one who wrote this book.

Official review here.

[J.S. Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Caveat emptor, it has that " international bestseller " publisher's hype plastered all over the promo copy on the web ( and incl. above) and on its back cover.

Too much fluff and romance, like useless frosting on the substance of a fact-based story set in Vichy France. Choppy scenes and short chapters; innumerable point of view shifts for no discernible reason. The scenes in the present (21st century) are almost totally unnecessary except to add another 'romance' to the brew. The tacky romance vehicle for this portrayal of the Varian Fry story is almost an insult to those who endured --- or lost their lives in --- the Shoah.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

The historical side to this story is set in 1941 Marseilles, France and details some of the courageous rescue efforts by Varian Fry and the ARC of artists, intellectuals, etc. His "set" is included as a good cast of the characters here. They were colorful, and I had fun googling some of the real photos described of them in here. I had never heard of Varian or of the good things he accomplished. I enjoyed the mystery side of the story of artist Gabriel Lambert and his past and also the enduring love story of he and Annie.

The modern side here is in the year 2000, America. Sophie is a journalist sniffing out the Gabriel Lambert backstory. She has a sort familial tie to his past and wants to know what really happened, not only for her story but also for her family. Will she succeed in getting to see Gabriel or in getting any answers out of him? When is it ok to just let the past stay in the past, as much as curiosity strikes you? Should some secrets be let to lie hidden forever?

Interesting story! It's a bit slow to reveal itself, but can be savored that way. Make sure you pay attention to who is narrating each section and don't get too hung up on the sideline stories. Recommend to historical fiction readers!

**Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an ARC e-galley!**

PS--absolutely stunning cover, one of my favorite cover arts for this year!

[Laura Wonderchick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was astounding!! The alternation of time periods kept it fresh, it was an intriguing story with quick wit & characters that came to life! I didn't want it to end!

I won this copy from Goodreads!

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I received an advanced uncorrected proof of this book from a Goodreads Giveaway.

This book takes place in Nazi occupied France in 1940 and New York in 2000. In 1940 France, Gabriel Lambert is an artist trying to escape the secrets of his past. Varian Fry is an American journalist running an organization that helps artists who have spoken out about their opposition to the Nazis to get out of France. In 2000 New York, Sophie Cass is a young journalist who wants to get the truth from 95 year old Gabriel about his secret past. The book had so much promise but it didn't deliver. The writing was flat and often disjointed. Normally I wouldn't have finished the book, but I felt obligated to finish it so I could give it an honest review.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book. Based on real life events and people, with a fictional story woven in, I was immediately intrigued as I started the book. The story takes place in 1940, Marseille France. It follows the journey of Varian Fry and the American Relief Center, an organization trying to get artists safely out of France, during the Nazi occupation. Told in the voice of a few characters, I sometimes felt like I should be taking notes to keep the story straight. Overall I did enjoy the story.

[Siobhan Curham · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful piece of historical fiction, based on the fascinating true story of American, Varian Fry, who saved many of the world's greatest artists and intellectuals from the Nazis, spiriting them out of France. The author has also expertly woven in a gripping fictional story, creating a real page-turner, which is beautifully written. I highly recommend

[CL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Historical fiction is not my favorite genre but this was a glimpse into the past as researched from the present about the rescue efforts of Varian Frey and crew to assist artists and writers escape Nazi persecution during WWII. Journalist Sophie Cass decides there is a story about her family member that she wants to find out the truth about and the story unfolds from there. Interesting read with a glimpse into the past. I would like to thank the Publisher and Net Galley for the chance to read this ARC.

[Helen - Great Reads & Tea Leaves · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am finding it difficult to reconcile my thoughts on this book. The 1940's story revolves around the ARC (The American Relief Centre) run by Varian Fry (known as an "America's Schindler.") His objective was to help well known artists escape from the ravages of war torn Europe. The 2000 story, revolves around Gabriel Lambert, who escaped France and has kept many secrets about his past hidden, but a journalist is trying to uncover the truth about his past.

Full review at:
http://greatreadsandtealeaves.blogspo...

[Barbara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought I would really like this book. Unfortunately, I didn't. I didn't find the characters interesting or sympathetic and I gave up after 105 pages. I won this book on Goodreads and really don't like posting a negative review, but I want to be honest.

[Adrienne Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was on an interesting subject - I really enjoyed the historical aspect; however I found it hard to follow at times. I enjoyed how it all came together in the end. It was a good read but not a book I loved.

[Sarah W. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently I read another book from this author, which I really liked and perhaps I had too high of expectations for this one. I really struggled with the story, which seemed to keep jumping around and just didn't seem to quite add up, and things didn't seem to get really interested until about two-thirds of the way through the book. The plot has all of the right elements - WWII France, artistic mysteries, fleeing refugees, scheming painters, old family secrets - but it felt like they just didn't work for some reason. I don't want to be too harsh, because I did finish the book, and a number of revelations towards the end gave the story more depth, but overall I just didn't love this one.

[Megan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe 3.5 stars but closer to four. This seems to be following a popular trend of late about little known heroes of WWII. This book one centres around Varian Fry and the American Relief Fund and its efforts to get intellectuals and artists out he Vichy France, while saving hundreds of 'ordinary' as well. Fry and many of the characters were real and did incredible work but the story is fiction. The history was fascinating, it's billed as a real-life Casablanca. The story is a bit slow in the reveal but had a few twists I appreciated. The past-present writing style will appeal to Kate Morton fans, though I find it is starting to be overused. The book is engaging and worth the read.

[Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

The House of Dreams is a must read. Kate Lord Brown tells the fascinating, little known story of Varian Fry and his team at the American Relief Center (ARC) in Marseille, France during World War 2. This remarkable group heroically managed to assist countless artists, writers and other intellectuals escape Nazi Germany during the war. Brown creates a fictional reclusive artist, Gabriel Lambert, who in 2000 is nearing the end of his life and Sophie Cass who is a writer for the New York Times who wants to interview Lambert for a story on which she is working. The novel is told from the perspective of various characters and alternates between the early 1940’s and the year 2000. As the novel unfolds, Lambert’s story is revealed.

The title refers to the house rented by the ARC right outside of Marseille called Villa Air Bel. Famous artists and writers gathered there while waiting to escape Europe to head to the United States. The Sunday meetings there were legendary, and people would come from all over to participate in the Sunday sessions. One of my favorite parts of the book was reading about these meetings.

I loved so many things about this book. The author writes beautifully, and the characters are very well developed. As the novel progressed, there were several twists that I totally did not see coming. Many novels today are so predictable, and I love it when an author is able to surprise me with a good plot twist. The author’s note at the end is very insightful and provides a lot of detail about the real people she describes in her novel. Providing such wonderful details about the actual lives of individuals included in a historical fiction novel adds so much more to the story, and I was so glad she took the time to provide all of that information. In addition to all of her research, Kate Lord Brown actually consulted with two of the characters that are in the book which I am sure help make the story that much more authentic.

I highly, highly recommend this book. There are many books written about this time period, and this is certainly one of the best I have read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and entertaining read. It flip-flops between current day and Marseille, France during World War II with a focus on the historical work of the American Relief Center (ARC) to aide artists in escaping the Nazi regime. It is an aspect of WWII relief work that I was not familiar with prior to reading this book and the current day and historical stories both had many twists and turns. I definitely recommend this book and I thank NetGalley for providing me with an early release.

[amypete · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those novels that goes back and forth in time. I found it tedious. The secret dragged out forever and then I didn't even really find it a big deal. The treasure of the book was learning more about the life and work of Varian Fry and his organization, which is now the International Rescue Committee. Skip this book and go read a nonfiction one about his life. Also enjoyed the romance and life of Gabe and Annie.

[Laura Harrison · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction isn't usually my thing but Kate Lord Brown is a terrific writer. Interesting, smart read. As long as you don't have a problem moving between very different time periods- you will love it!

[Anna Catharina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Der Einstieg in das Buch fiel mir richtig schwer, die Sprache war irgendwie gewöhnungsbedürftig und die Charaktere etwas hölzern. Besonders mit der Gegenwartsprotagnistin Sophie wurde ich nie warm. Je weiter ich aber las, umso mehr nahm mich die Erzählung von Gabriel Lambert und die auf ihre Rettung ins amerikanische Exil wartetend Menschen in Marseille, 1940 bis 1941, gefangen. Ich glaube, die Stärke des Buchs beruht ganz alleine auf diesem Erzählstrang, das Warten, die Angst, der Tanz auf dem Vulkan, das hat mich richtig gefesselt. Der Gegenwartserzählstrang war dagegen eine unnötige Unterbrechung, inhalts- und bedeutungslos und es hätte dem Lesevergnügen keinen Abbruch getan, wenn es ihn nicht gegeben hätte. Die Grundgeschichte war auch so stark genug.

[RumBelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF Read approximately 100 pages

This was just another "my fiancé left me/I left him, my life is devastating, but I can't get over him and still want to go out with him, so to escape I am going to pursue some lifelong family secret and fall in love with another man connected to that secret" books. I usually don't mind them, and in a lot of cases enjoy them because the family secret, or mystery is usually interesting. This was not the case here. To be honest, in the part I read, I really had no idea what the secret was supposed to even be.

The whole part of the book I read was just Sophie pining for her lost love and talking, vaguely, about needing to interview Gabriel for an article she was working on, not only to uncover his past but the past of a relative connected to him. Also, within that hundred or so pages, the book also branched out into three or four other point's of view, and it became so convoluted and dull that I had no interest in continuing to read.

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This hovers at a 2.5 for me because it just took me so long to get through it. It wasn't dense, but it wasn't necessarily hooking me into diving into it's pages. Maybe I'll pick it up again at a later date when my attention isn't being summoned elsewhere.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 2 out of 5]

The House of Dreams by Kate Lord Brown is set in 2000 and then goes back in time to tell the story. Sophie Cass is a reporter with The New York Times (but not for much longer if she does not have a great article). Sophie is determined to interview Gabriel Lambert, the artist, for an article she is writing about her deceased Aunt Vita. Gabriel knew Vita in France. Gabriel does not want to see Sophie and the family has refused her requests. Sophie writes Gabriel to let him know she will be visiting him and she will not be put off any longer (pushy and very determined). Gabriel is ninety-five years old and dying. This is Sophie’s last chance to connect with him. The story takes us back to 1939. Gabriel was in France at the beginning of World War II. He needed assistance getting out of the country and went to Varian Fry and the American Relief Center (ARC). We get to see what life was like for Gabriel and others who stayed at Villa Air Bel outside Marseille, France. A group of them rented the house. Some were helping people get out of the country and others were trying to escape (artists). Gabriel has a secret that he has kept all these years and he wants to take it to his grave. Sophie needs a good story to keep her job. What secret is Gabriel hiding? Will Sophie be happy with the answers she receives?

The House of Dreams is told in the first person from various characters’ point-of-view (mostly Gabriel’s). I really did not enjoy this novel. The writing is disjointed and awkward. It starts in 2000 and then jumps back in time. It keeps going back and forth (making it disjointed and hard to read). The House of Dreams is an extremely long and boring book (just from my perspective). I had a hard time reading this book. It just did not engage me (or draw me in) as a reader. I thought Gabriel's "secret" was obvious. I decided to take a guess before I read the book and see if I was right. I was (I kept hoping for a twist)! The ending is odd. I wanted to quit reading after a couple of chapters, but I pushed on and finished it (I kept hoping it would get better). I give The House of Dreams 1.5 out of 5 stars. This novel was just not for me. I am really tired of novels dealing with World War II (I keep hoping I will get a really good one). We have had a plethora of them over the last year (and most of them were not enjoyable).

I received a complimentary copy of The House of Dreams from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.

[Kristina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was nothing like I expected it to be. I thought it would be a sweet 1940-ish love story but nope. I was pleasantly surprised.

The story is about Varian Fry and all he did for the effort of setting people out of a France during WW2. You get to meet a band of his colleagues and clients as well. Not all of them but a few. The trials they must go through in order to obtain visas, passports, identification papers. Whether Jew or not. It is amazing to me how quickly a day can change in this line of work and how he never gave up and took it upon himself to save everyone he could. Whether getting them out the country, prison or gestapos. The end goal of concentration camps and death looming in the background for him. The book mainly focuses on the time spent in Marseilles at a Air-Bel chateau. They had clients and colleagues stay there to get out the city when it wasn’t safe.

The other story is about Gabriel Lambert. A journalist but also a link to his past, Sophie Cass, wants to hear his side of the story those 50 plus years ago. But Gabriel is harboring secrets that he doesn’t want anyone to find out. Only two people know his secrets; one is his wife (Anne Bouchard) and the other one is dead. Now Sophie wants to talk and it stirs up memories in him that have been dormant so long since he left France. He even looks at Sophie and is transported back in time to Vita (Sophie’s Great Aunt).

At first this book was slow. Like really slow that I fell asleep a couple times. But after I got through the introductory parts I wanted to know more about Gabe and the secret he had. I was guessing till the end. It did seem the story would speed up than slow down too often but it’s only 300 pages so I powered through.

I was intrigued to find out in the end where the author notes are that there really was an American named Varian Fry and he is written down and commentated at the Holocaust Museum. I feel horrible that I don’t know anything about this man. Even though he was given the same honor as Oskar Schindler. It’s books like this that make you realize that you just read something more important than you thought.

[Rachael Westbrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! What can I say about this book? It was amazing! It started off a little slow, but I promise, if you stick with it, you are in for a wonderful treat. I am a WWII history nerd. This story is based of real events and people during WWII..this is a story I have never heard about until now. You can guarantee I will be reading Varian Fry's book!

I loved how The House of Dreams went back and forth from present day (2000) to pre-WWII/WWII. I loved the characters...Gabriel pulled at my heart.

I am a teacher and I finished this today on the school bus coming home from a field trip. I wanted to cry and cry, but when you have children all around you, you can't! Of course, I do cry sometimes when I read to them. That being said, I coach ART SMART for our academic meet we have every year in December. I love art. This book had many I have heard of before. I am visiting the MoMA and the Met next month and I can't wait to see if I see some works of art from some of these characters.

Kate Lord Brown is a great writer...I love her style!!! Great read!!!

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book by Kate Lord Brown is a very interesting book. Flip-flopping in time from WWII in Marseilles to America, the book concerns an artist who was in Marseilles but today is an old painter in America. Varian Fry, an American is tasked with getting artists out of the dangers and to America. This story is basically about him and one of those he got out. A journalist is on the story because she believes there is more to the artists story than is presently known, and she is right, but because of circumstances will she publish it? Well conceived.
J. Robert Ewbank author “John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms” “Wesley’s Wars” “To Whom It May Concern” and “Tell Me About the United Methodist Church”

[Ellen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When fiction interweaves with non-fiction, the result is an absorbing read. Based on the life of Varian Fry and his efforts with the American Relief Center in Marseilles in the early 1940's, the author tells the story of artists helped to escape the Gestapo. Gabriel Lambert is the fictional protagonist, remembering his past while living out his old age in Montauk in 2000. I really liked the historical parts of the book but Gabriel was a hard character to warm up to. Varian, Mary Jayne and the other heroes carried the story for me. This was a Netgalley offering.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks St. Martin's Press and netgalley for this ARC.

Surprising ending that will leave you laughing and make the whole book as surreal as the awesome bunch of artists in this unique novel. So much of this book seems like fiction but it's based on true events and that makes it even more awesome.

[Kristal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway and it was absolutely breathtaking. You can't help but enjoy Varian, Mary Jayne, Mariam, and other members of the ARC as they work for not only their freedom but that of many others. And what a pleasant surprise when reading the author's notes to find out how much of this story rings true! So many unexpected twists and a beautiful ending for all.

[Loni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Received this book free from the library this summer and it was a surprise to me. I was pleasantly surprised by this find. The novel was well written and interesting. Although I wouldn't consider it one of my favorite WWII historical fictions, it was enjoyable to read and suspenseful as you were weaved through the mystery.