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The Velvet Hours
From the international bestselling author of The Lost Wife and The Garden of Letters , comes a story—inspired by true events—of two women pursuing freedom and independence in Paris during WWII.
As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young French woman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return.
An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.
Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loved.
As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young French woman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return.
An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.
Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loved.
384 pages, Library Binding
First published September 6, 2016
779 people are currently reading
13161 people want to read
About the author
Alyson Richman
19 books2,016 followersAlyson Richman is the USA Today bestselling and #1 international bestselling author of several historical novels including The Velvet Hours, The Garden of Letters, and The Lost Wife, which is currently in development for a major motion picture. Alyson graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in art history and Japanese studies. She herself is an accomplished painter and her novels combine her deep love of art, historical research, and travel. Alyson's novels have been published in more than twenty-five languages and have reached the bestseller lists both in the United States and abroad. She lives on Long Island with her husband and two children, where she is currently at work on her next novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,085 reviews
February 23, 2017
When I read the following link http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic... the abandoned apartment left untouched for 70 years, filled with treasure and art. I knew I just had to read this novel. Marthe de Florian was a courtesan who amassed a life of riches and wealth. Her apartment when discovered in 2010 and had remained untouched for seven decades revealed a wealth of antiques including a magnificent painting of her by the well known artist Gioanni Boldini. The author Alyson Richman with her wonderful flair for writing fills in the unknowns of Marthe De Florian's story and presents us with a wonderful novel of historical fiction which is lyrical and moving.
A truly beautiful piece of writing where the prose flows and the characters are well developed. A wonderful sense of time and place and each time I picked up this novel I found myself transported to this beautiful Paris apartment and enjoyed the vivid images painted by the author of the antiques and paintings. The book tells the story of the Marthe De Florian and her rags to riches story and her niece whom she allows into her life just before the onset of World War one.
I can only describe this novel as a quiet sensual and graceful novel with a quiet and yet interesting plot that spans from the late 1800s through to the start of the Second World War. There is romance which I am not a major fan of in historical fiction but it is well written and works in this novel. I found myself constantly googling , painters and places mentioned in the book and while this is historical fiction and the author tale is rich and imagined using the apartment in Paris as its background for the story it had me completely drawn in and intrigued from start to finish and enjoyed every moment spent with this book.
A truly beautiful piece of writing where the prose flows and the characters are well developed. A wonderful sense of time and place and each time I picked up this novel I found myself transported to this beautiful Paris apartment and enjoyed the vivid images painted by the author of the antiques and paintings. The book tells the story of the Marthe De Florian and her rags to riches story and her niece whom she allows into her life just before the onset of World War one.
I can only describe this novel as a quiet sensual and graceful novel with a quiet and yet interesting plot that spans from the late 1800s through to the start of the Second World War. There is romance which I am not a major fan of in historical fiction but it is well written and works in this novel. I found myself constantly googling , painters and places mentioned in the book and while this is historical fiction and the author tale is rich and imagined using the apartment in Paris as its background for the story it had me completely drawn in and intrigued from start to finish and enjoyed every moment spent with this book.
September 22, 2016
Marthe de Florian, though this was not always her name, was born into poverty, at an early age she witnessed the death of her younger sister, Odile, something she never forget. She raised herself up, using the gifts available to her, beauty and charm. She was the mistress of a wealthy man and came to be beloved by a famous painter.
Two stories, her granddaughter Solange, only meets her when she is nineteen. Marthe tells Solange the story of her life and a tight bond is formed between them. The Germans are advancing on Paris, and soon escape will be impossible. But, the past provides for the present at times and so it proves true in this story.
The prose when storytelling or descriptive is elegant and seductive. Fill of beauty and charm. The story compelling, especially since it is based on a real person. Occasionally I did find the dialogue clunky and over sentimental, but all in all the author did a fabulous job.The author acknowledges that little is known about Marthe but she does a wonderful job filling in and creating her story. It all rings true, could have happened just this way. Such a wonderful blend of the historical and the personal. Her apartment was left untouched for seventy years and only opened in 2010, just the mystery of that alone was compelling. Here is a link which includes pictures of what was found, I find them haunting, yet beautiful. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic... This story drew me in and didn't let go.
ARC from Netgalley.
Two stories, her granddaughter Solange, only meets her when she is nineteen. Marthe tells Solange the story of her life and a tight bond is formed between them. The Germans are advancing on Paris, and soon escape will be impossible. But, the past provides for the present at times and so it proves true in this story.
The prose when storytelling or descriptive is elegant and seductive. Fill of beauty and charm. The story compelling, especially since it is based on a real person. Occasionally I did find the dialogue clunky and over sentimental, but all in all the author did a fabulous job.The author acknowledges that little is known about Marthe but she does a wonderful job filling in and creating her story. It all rings true, could have happened just this way. Such a wonderful blend of the historical and the personal. Her apartment was left untouched for seventy years and only opened in 2010, just the mystery of that alone was compelling. Here is a link which includes pictures of what was found, I find them haunting, yet beautiful. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/artic... This story drew me in and didn't let go.
ARC from Netgalley.
March 2, 2017
This novel brings together two stories based in Paris in a heartwarming novel. Marthe, the estranged grandmother, shares her life story with her granddaughter Solange in 1940. The book alternates between the current life of Solange and the past life of Marthe. Solange’s life is just beginning while Marthe’s is near the end. The short merging of their two lives forms the fabric of the story.
I loved Marthe’s story and while I was reading the book I wanted to understand how she became estranged from her son? How did she survive all these years on her own? How did she end up living in this great apartment? I wanted the answers, and this got me hooked into the book. The story also involved the lives of Solange’s family and friends facing German occupation and the impact on all their lives.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story but it was well executed and enjoyable. I am looking forward to more novels from Alyson Richman. I was sad when I finished the book.
Paperback is now 6.29 on Amazon - cheaper than kindle version - https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...- not sure for how long!
I loved Marthe’s story and while I was reading the book I wanted to understand how she became estranged from her son? How did she survive all these years on her own? How did she end up living in this great apartment? I wanted the answers, and this got me hooked into the book. The story also involved the lives of Solange’s family and friends facing German occupation and the impact on all their lives.
I don’t want to give away too much of the story but it was well executed and enjoyable. I am looking forward to more novels from Alyson Richman. I was sad when I finished the book.
Paperback is now 6.29 on Amazon - cheaper than kindle version - https://www.facebook.com/suzyapproved...- not sure for how long!
December 21, 2016
A few years ago, a Paris apartment was opened after having lain untouched for seven decades. It was discovered after its owner died aged 91. Upon viewing the apartment, it was like a time warp, where nothing was disturbed and it contained a large painting by the artist Boldini of a lovely French woman. Again, this little piece of history now becomes this novel.
The author heard about this and weaved the story, The Velvet Hours. The story focuses on two women. The first, Marthe de Florian, a woman who cultivated a life of art and beauty, and lived as though time stood still. The second, her granddaughter, Solange, who is a writer and is intrigued by her grandmothers life story and wants to write a novel about her. Marthe meets her granddaughter and begins to tell her of how she grew up, obtained the apartment, and how she met Giovanni Boldini, who eventually painted her portrait. Marthe is quite the recluse who has built this world inside her apartment, and it does not seem to be impacted by the events going on in Paris. The Germans are approaching, making life a bit difficult, and scary for Solange, who is part Jewish. The book goes back and forth between the two women where you learn about each of them and how their lives turn out during this difficult time in history.
I love books that pluck a piece of history and built an elaborate story around it. The Velvet Hours is a wonderful example of this. It is a slow moving story with just a tiny bit of romance. But a wonderful look at a different take on this time in history. I picked this up after reading Diane S's review and I'm glad that I did. It's quite the moving story.
The author heard about this and weaved the story, The Velvet Hours. The story focuses on two women. The first, Marthe de Florian, a woman who cultivated a life of art and beauty, and lived as though time stood still. The second, her granddaughter, Solange, who is a writer and is intrigued by her grandmothers life story and wants to write a novel about her. Marthe meets her granddaughter and begins to tell her of how she grew up, obtained the apartment, and how she met Giovanni Boldini, who eventually painted her portrait. Marthe is quite the recluse who has built this world inside her apartment, and it does not seem to be impacted by the events going on in Paris. The Germans are approaching, making life a bit difficult, and scary for Solange, who is part Jewish. The book goes back and forth between the two women where you learn about each of them and how their lives turn out during this difficult time in history.
I love books that pluck a piece of history and built an elaborate story around it. The Velvet Hours is a wonderful example of this. It is a slow moving story with just a tiny bit of romance. But a wonderful look at a different take on this time in history. I picked this up after reading Diane S's review and I'm glad that I did. It's quite the moving story.
October 24, 2016
I'll be honest, I started a review copy of this book assuming I would bail, but instead I got sucked in and halfway through before I even knew what was happening.
The author was inspired by the time-capsule apartment that was only recently discovered, left behind in Paris at the start of World War II and only opened again when the owner's granddaughter died. The painting, the love letters, the details of the room, all inspired the author to write a fictionalized account of the woman and her life. She imagines her as a "kept woman," creating a space where no war or conflict exists, where a lover can take three baths to prepare to see her man, and spend money on art and trinkets.
She also imagines the granddaughter, who is in her early 20s when the war starts, and a secret of her heritage makes the situation more dire.
Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a review copy, because I ended up reading it after all.
The author was inspired by the time-capsule apartment that was only recently discovered, left behind in Paris at the start of World War II and only opened again when the owner's granddaughter died. The painting, the love letters, the details of the room, all inspired the author to write a fictionalized account of the woman and her life. She imagines her as a "kept woman," creating a space where no war or conflict exists, where a lover can take three baths to prepare to see her man, and spend money on art and trinkets.
She also imagines the granddaughter, who is in her early 20s when the war starts, and a secret of her heritage makes the situation more dire.
Thanks to the publisher for granting me access to a review copy, because I ended up reading it after all.
September 13, 2016
THE VELVET HOURS is captivating historical fiction inspired by the real-life Paris apartment of Marthe de Florian that sat untouched for 70 years. I remember being intrigued when the story of this "time capsule" apartment came out, and Alyson Richman did a beautiful job bringing it back to life.
The heart of the story is a grandmother telling her newly-found granddaughter about her eccentric life. Marthe was a courtesan during the Belle Époque, and she rose from poverty to become the owner of this lavish apartment filled with amazing treasures. Her granddaughter, Solange, is a struggling young writer looking for inspiration, and definitely finds it in Marthe's tales.
At times I thought the pacing was slow, a lot of time was spent describing things - paintings, ceramics, and such - but the story picked up when the threat of World War II was upon them. It was here that the characters were truly challenged, and Solange learns from her grandmother that sometimes sentimentality must be sacrificed for a greater purpose.
THE VELVET HOURS is a rich story of history, romance, and survival, perfect for fans of late 19th/early 20th century fiction. 3.75 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
The heart of the story is a grandmother telling her newly-found granddaughter about her eccentric life. Marthe was a courtesan during the Belle Époque, and she rose from poverty to become the owner of this lavish apartment filled with amazing treasures. Her granddaughter, Solange, is a struggling young writer looking for inspiration, and definitely finds it in Marthe's tales.
At times I thought the pacing was slow, a lot of time was spent describing things - paintings, ceramics, and such - but the story picked up when the threat of World War II was upon them. It was here that the characters were truly challenged, and Solange learns from her grandmother that sometimes sentimentality must be sacrificed for a greater purpose.
THE VELVET HOURS is a rich story of history, romance, and survival, perfect for fans of late 19th/early 20th century fiction. 3.75 stars!
Disclosure: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
July 7, 2017
I understand the author used a real life event as the jumping off point and inspiration to write this novel, but for me, once it was established that the apartment belonged to a former courtesan, I really didn't need to read further. That I did was a testament to my boredom and lack of anything else to do.
Kudos to Alyson Richman for writing a plausible background to Madame de Florian, but there really wasn't anything in the novel that was exciting, or thrilling or heartfelt. The events and characters just seemed to exist, to be "there" without anything more profound as background.
I got bored with the too detailed and numerous descriptions of art, object d'arts, wardrobe, etc. All the relationships (with the slight exception of Marthe and Solange) seemed ill defined, without true feeling.
Oh yes, I had to roll my eyes at one particular plot point.
At book's end, I had the sense of nothing really happening. Knowing that the apartment owner was a former courtesan would have been enough for me to guess the history of such a person. I suppose AR tried to inject her own answers to the mysterious real life event, but this novel was fairly anticlimactic and muted. A peek behind the curtain, as it were, really didn't reveal much as far as I'm concerned.
Kudos to Alyson Richman for writing a plausible background to Madame de Florian, but there really wasn't anything in the novel that was exciting, or thrilling or heartfelt. The events and characters just seemed to exist, to be "there" without anything more profound as background.
I got bored with the too detailed and numerous descriptions of art, object d'arts, wardrobe, etc. All the relationships (with the slight exception of Marthe and Solange) seemed ill defined, without true feeling.
Oh yes, I had to roll my eyes at one particular plot point.
At book's end, I had the sense of nothing really happening. Knowing that the apartment owner was a former courtesan would have been enough for me to guess the history of such a person. I suppose AR tried to inject her own answers to the mysterious real life event, but this novel was fairly anticlimactic and muted. A peek behind the curtain, as it were, really didn't reveal much as far as I'm concerned.
February 13, 2017
From 1898 to 1940 we meet Solange and Marthe de Florian.
Solange is the granddaughter of Marthe and the grandmother Solange never knew existed until she was nineteen years old.
Solange's father never knew Marthe was his birth mother until he was eighteen and kept Marthe from Solange until Solange's mother had passed away.
The meeting of the two women allowed Solange to learn of her grandmother's life and legacy in an apartment filled with collected treasures and the traces of men Marthe had collected during her lifetime.
I really enjoyed getting to know Marthe and Solange as Marthe told her life story to her granddaughter. What a treat it must have been for Solange to listen to the story. Marthe's life was one that went from poverty to living a luxurious life paid for by Charles and other men.
THE VELVET HOURS was enticing, sensual, and exceptionally interesting since it was based on the real life of Marthe.
I truly enjoyed the book and recommend THE VELVET HOURS for historical fiction fans. Ms. Richman's writing and research are absolutely marvelous.
Don't forget to search for photos of Marthe's apartment and her famous portrait by artist, Giovanni Boldini.
It is totally amazing to me how the apartment and its contents made it through WWII without being ransacked or destroyed and that no one entered it for 70 years.
ENJOY when you read THE VELVET HOURS.
I hope you fall in love with Marthe's story as I did. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
Solange is the granddaughter of Marthe and the grandmother Solange never knew existed until she was nineteen years old.
Solange's father never knew Marthe was his birth mother until he was eighteen and kept Marthe from Solange until Solange's mother had passed away.
The meeting of the two women allowed Solange to learn of her grandmother's life and legacy in an apartment filled with collected treasures and the traces of men Marthe had collected during her lifetime.
I really enjoyed getting to know Marthe and Solange as Marthe told her life story to her granddaughter. What a treat it must have been for Solange to listen to the story. Marthe's life was one that went from poverty to living a luxurious life paid for by Charles and other men.
THE VELVET HOURS was enticing, sensual, and exceptionally interesting since it was based on the real life of Marthe.
I truly enjoyed the book and recommend THE VELVET HOURS for historical fiction fans. Ms. Richman's writing and research are absolutely marvelous.
Don't forget to search for photos of Marthe's apartment and her famous portrait by artist, Giovanni Boldini.
It is totally amazing to me how the apartment and its contents made it through WWII without being ransacked or destroyed and that no one entered it for 70 years.
ENJOY when you read THE VELVET HOURS.
I hope you fall in love with Marthe's story as I did. 5/5
This book was given to me free of charge and without compensation by the publisher in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2016
4.5 stars
While I really liked the entire book a lot, the beginning and the ending were outstanding. The start of the book perfectly set the stage for the entire story, and the ending wrapped it up beautifully. The Velvet Hours focuses on the lives of two women: Marthe de Florian, a member of the demi-monde, whose story begins in the late 1800’s and Solange, a young woman living in Paris during World War II. As the story unfolds, Solange learns she is related to Marthe and begins visiting her regularly. During these visits, Marthe relays the story of her intriguing life and the magnificent painting of Marthe that hangs in her spectacular Belle Epoque-era apartment.
Alyson Richman’s focus on detail really makes this book. Her in-depth descriptions of the fashions worn by Marthe, the collections of art accumulated by Marthe and even the apartment itself are incredible. The author clearly did her research, and her ability to so vividly depict the characters and the setting is just fabulous.
As always, one of my favorite parts about historical fiction is learning more about the time period involved and placing people and culturally significant items from an era in their context. Richman focuses a lot on fashion and haute couture from the Belle Epoque era, and I enjoyed looking up and learning about some of the famous designers from this era in Paris such as the Callot Soeurs. She also threw in a reference to H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George, who fled Europe during Hitler’s reign. I have always loved Curious George and had no idea that the Reys had left Europe with so many others in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. One of my other favorite parts about historical fiction is when an author includes an Author’s Notes section with information relating to the genesis of the novel and information regarding the historical aspects of the novel. Richman includes a wonderfully detailed Author’s Note regarding her inspiration for the novel (which is partially based on a true event), and the limited information she was able to find regarding the actual participants. I found that section absolutely fascinating.
I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to First to Read for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While I really liked the entire book a lot, the beginning and the ending were outstanding. The start of the book perfectly set the stage for the entire story, and the ending wrapped it up beautifully. The Velvet Hours focuses on the lives of two women: Marthe de Florian, a member of the demi-monde, whose story begins in the late 1800’s and Solange, a young woman living in Paris during World War II. As the story unfolds, Solange learns she is related to Marthe and begins visiting her regularly. During these visits, Marthe relays the story of her intriguing life and the magnificent painting of Marthe that hangs in her spectacular Belle Epoque-era apartment.
Alyson Richman’s focus on detail really makes this book. Her in-depth descriptions of the fashions worn by Marthe, the collections of art accumulated by Marthe and even the apartment itself are incredible. The author clearly did her research, and her ability to so vividly depict the characters and the setting is just fabulous.
As always, one of my favorite parts about historical fiction is learning more about the time period involved and placing people and culturally significant items from an era in their context. Richman focuses a lot on fashion and haute couture from the Belle Epoque era, and I enjoyed looking up and learning about some of the famous designers from this era in Paris such as the Callot Soeurs. She also threw in a reference to H.A. and Margret Rey, the creators of Curious George, who fled Europe during Hitler’s reign. I have always loved Curious George and had no idea that the Reys had left Europe with so many others in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. One of my other favorite parts about historical fiction is when an author includes an Author’s Notes section with information relating to the genesis of the novel and information regarding the historical aspects of the novel. Richman includes a wonderfully detailed Author’s Note regarding her inspiration for the novel (which is partially based on a true event), and the limited information she was able to find regarding the actual participants. I found that section absolutely fascinating.
I highly recommend this novel. Thanks to First to Read for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 31, 2018
A difficult book to review. On the one hand I found it shallow, an isolated story in a world on fire that didn't impress me much. On the other hand it's written well so I read it with pleasure. The part about the Barcelona Haggadah was very interesting. I gave an extra star because the book came more to life after I had looked up all the information on the internet.
October 24, 2016
I know I can always count on Alyson Richman’s stories to have gorgeous prose, a compelling plot, and rich and fascinating subjects. Her latest novel, THE VELVET HOURS, both follows and elevates her pattern in what is her finest work to date.
Reading the pages of THE VELVET HOURS is like leafing through old letters or lifting old garments and artifacts from a trunk. Each piece holds such fascination, such history, it is worth lingering to gather their essence. Richman deftly makes a global narrative set in two wars into an intimate rendering of family and society. Her description of physical objects grounds the reader in the pages, and makes for a consuming sensory experience.
All of Richman’s characters are complicated and human. It is difficult to make a courtesan into a noble figure, but Richman does just that, and it is this courtesan–Marthe de Florian–who is the pulsing heart of the work. My only complaint is that the book ended. The story that follows the story is worthy of a novel, and I hope Richman picks up where she left off to give the reader more.
I feel as if I have been to the Parisian apartment-turned-time-capsule that inspired this novel, and I’d like to linger. If you enjoy beautifully written historical fiction, I highly recommend THE VELVET HOURS.
Reading the pages of THE VELVET HOURS is like leafing through old letters or lifting old garments and artifacts from a trunk. Each piece holds such fascination, such history, it is worth lingering to gather their essence. Richman deftly makes a global narrative set in two wars into an intimate rendering of family and society. Her description of physical objects grounds the reader in the pages, and makes for a consuming sensory experience.
All of Richman’s characters are complicated and human. It is difficult to make a courtesan into a noble figure, but Richman does just that, and it is this courtesan–Marthe de Florian–who is the pulsing heart of the work. My only complaint is that the book ended. The story that follows the story is worthy of a novel, and I hope Richman picks up where she left off to give the reader more.
I feel as if I have been to the Parisian apartment-turned-time-capsule that inspired this novel, and I’d like to linger. If you enjoy beautifully written historical fiction, I highly recommend THE VELVET HOURS.
July 7, 2020
“Hay quienes miran algo y solo ven la belleza exterior, pero siempre es la historia detrás lo que lo vuelve invaluable.”
Conocí a la autora a través de su libro Los amantes de Praga, el cual me cautivó por su excelente manera de escribir, donde demuestra que el exceso de páginas no son necesarias cuando se sabe narrar una historia... y con este libro lo ha logrado nuevamente.
La historia detrás de “Las horas de terciopelo” parte de un hecho real: un departamento encontrado en París que había permanecido cerrado por más de medio siglo, una cápsula en el tiempo que guardaba recuerdos de la “Belle Époque” a través de una colección de antigüedades y pinturas, que perteneció originalmente a una enigmática propietaria, llamada Marthe de Florian y posteriormente a su nieta, Solange Beaugiron.
Alyson Richman realiza una gran labor de investigación sobre aquellas personas y los hechos que las rodearon, aunque hay muchos sucesos que nunca llegó a descubrir, por lo que valiéndose de la ficción completa las piezas faltantes; regalándonos una novela rica en datos históricos, combinada con su profundo amor por el arte y los viajes.
Magistralmente narrada, donde mantiene la misma fórmula que en su novela anterior, estructurada en capítulos bastante cortos con saltos entre el pasado y el presente, a través de Marthe y Solange, pero entrelazada de tal manera que el lector nunca se pierde dentro de la trama.
La historia es tranquila y elegante, donde el peso de la trama recae en el personaje de Marthe, un personaje exótico, de mucha sensualidad y destacable, quien tuvo que hacer lo que fuese necesario para salir de la pobreza y sobrevivir; y quien vivió el amor de manera clandestina.
En general, es una novela sencilla pero exquisita a la vez, narrada con una impecable prosa, en donde a partir de un poco de la realidad y otro tanto venido de la ficción, descubriremos unos personajes únicos que sobrevivieron a pesar de las circunstancias, aunque para ello sacrificaron lo que más querían.
100% recomendado
“La perspectiva es una herramienta usada con poca frecuencia. Si la gente tuviera el coraje de cambiar sus lentes de vez en cuando, el mundo sería un lugar mucho más hermoso.”
Conocí a la autora a través de su libro Los amantes de Praga, el cual me cautivó por su excelente manera de escribir, donde demuestra que el exceso de páginas no son necesarias cuando se sabe narrar una historia... y con este libro lo ha logrado nuevamente.
La historia detrás de “Las horas de terciopelo” parte de un hecho real: un departamento encontrado en París que había permanecido cerrado por más de medio siglo, una cápsula en el tiempo que guardaba recuerdos de la “Belle Époque” a través de una colección de antigüedades y pinturas, que perteneció originalmente a una enigmática propietaria, llamada Marthe de Florian y posteriormente a su nieta, Solange Beaugiron.
Alyson Richman realiza una gran labor de investigación sobre aquellas personas y los hechos que las rodearon, aunque hay muchos sucesos que nunca llegó a descubrir, por lo que valiéndose de la ficción completa las piezas faltantes; regalándonos una novela rica en datos históricos, combinada con su profundo amor por el arte y los viajes.
Magistralmente narrada, donde mantiene la misma fórmula que en su novela anterior, estructurada en capítulos bastante cortos con saltos entre el pasado y el presente, a través de Marthe y Solange, pero entrelazada de tal manera que el lector nunca se pierde dentro de la trama.
La historia es tranquila y elegante, donde el peso de la trama recae en el personaje de Marthe, un personaje exótico, de mucha sensualidad y destacable, quien tuvo que hacer lo que fuese necesario para salir de la pobreza y sobrevivir; y quien vivió el amor de manera clandestina.
En general, es una novela sencilla pero exquisita a la vez, narrada con una impecable prosa, en donde a partir de un poco de la realidad y otro tanto venido de la ficción, descubriremos unos personajes únicos que sobrevivieron a pesar de las circunstancias, aunque para ello sacrificaron lo que más querían.
100% recomendado
“La perspectiva es una herramienta usada con poca frecuencia. Si la gente tuviera el coraje de cambiar sus lentes de vez en cuando, el mundo sería un lugar mucho más hermoso.”
September 11, 2018
4.5 stars bc I'm mentally comparing it to The Nightingale and I think that was perfection....
The story is told through the eyes of the granddaughter Solange in 1939 with flashbacks of her grandmothers life story set in 1898. The stories weave together perfectly. Marthe (GMA) meets her aspiring writer granddaughter, Solange, and immediately likes her. She decides to share her interesting life story as Solange uses it to write her first novel. Everything is tense as France learns of the German advancement.
I liked the characters bc they all had a point to the story. There wasn't a character that I wished didn't belong there. The story is even more interesting to the fact that there was a Parisian apartment abandoned in WWII and paid for by the granddaughters funds for 70 years but no one knows the why... Richman gave a story to a mystery.
If you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah I believe you will like this one as well. It was a great story AND there was a not so happy ending which I feel makes it more human.
The story is told through the eyes of the granddaughter Solange in 1939 with flashbacks of her grandmothers life story set in 1898. The stories weave together perfectly. Marthe (GMA) meets her aspiring writer granddaughter, Solange, and immediately likes her. She decides to share her interesting life story as Solange uses it to write her first novel. Everything is tense as France learns of the German advancement.
I liked the characters bc they all had a point to the story. There wasn't a character that I wished didn't belong there. The story is even more interesting to the fact that there was a Parisian apartment abandoned in WWII and paid for by the granddaughters funds for 70 years but no one knows the why... Richman gave a story to a mystery.
If you liked The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah I believe you will like this one as well. It was a great story AND there was a not so happy ending which I feel makes it more human.
February 4, 2017
I'm proud of myself for finishing this because it became a struggle. I enjoyed it for awhile but Marthe's POV was not enjoyable for me. The book is told in 2 POV, Marthe and her granddaughter, Solange. I did enjoy reading about Solange, but being inside Marthe's head was annoying. I found her to be so shallow, haughty, and narcissistic. I put the book down several times, and almost DNF. But, I found myself wanting to find out what happened to Solange, so I carried on. The prose was good, even though I didn't enjoy one of the main characters. The story was interesting but it's definitely not a favorite book of mine. I'm glad I'm finished.
July 26, 2022
The Velvet Hours is such a fabulous book. It was excellently narrated by Gabriella Boris in the Swedish version. Writing this review makes me wish I could go back and listen to this book again for the first time again. I am fascinated by stories about locked apartments that remain locked for decades, and you get to discover what happened to the person who left and never returned.
February 20, 2022
Me gustó mucho la historia.
Es bastante tranquila, pero me gusto que la autora se basará en una hecho de la vida real y que le diera una nueva historia ♡
Reseña completa: https://megarybookss.blogspot.com/202...
Es bastante tranquila, pero me gusto que la autora se basará en una hecho de la vida real y que le diera una nueva historia ♡
Reseña completa: https://megarybookss.blogspot.com/202...
April 2, 2017
אכזבה גדולה. אחרי כל הסופרלטיבים, לא ציפיתי לרומן כל כך שטחי במסווה של רומן היסטורי.
אכן, הסיפור החדשותי העומד מאחורי הרומן שטוותה אליסון ריצ'מן - מעניין ומסעיר, אך כדי להתרשם ממנו ומהציור המופלא שצייר ג'ובאני בולדיני, די לחפש מידע בגוגל אודות הדירה הפריזאית שננטשה למשך 70 שנה והתגלתה לפתע בשנת 2010.
הרומן של ריצ'מן לטעמי זול ומקושקש. לא אהבתי את שתי הדמויות הראשיות: מרת דה פלוריאן מתוארת כאשה נרקיסיסטית, חובבת יופי ותענוגות, אשר השיגה את עושרה ואת כל הישגיה בחיים באמצעות גופה, יופיה, וכישורי הפיתוי והקסם האישי שלה. לדעתה האומללות הגדולה ביותר עבור אשה היא להיוולד לא יפה, וקשה להימנע מהמחשבה כי גם הקשר הבוסרי שנובט בינה לבין נכדתה סולאנג' לא היה מבשיל לולא היתה סולאנג' נערה יפהפיה, לשביעות רצון סבתה.
סולאנג', הדמות הראשית השניה, נושאת חן בעיני סבתה, לא רק בשל יופיה, אלא גם בשל העובדה כי הקשר בין השתיים מבוסס על הערצה חד צדדית של סולאנג' לסבתה, ועל כך שלאורך התקופה הקצרה בה השתיים בקשר, סולאנג' יושבת מול סבתה, מקשיבה לסיפורי ההצלחה של סבתה בעולם האהבה, המין, אספנות האומנות, והעושר, ורק מתלהבת מסבתה, כותבת בשצף קצף את סיפורה של סבתה במחברתה האישית (על מנת להפכו לרומן בבוא העת) ושתי הנשים היפהפיות יושבות יחד ומעריצות בעיניים חולמניות את מרת דה פלוריאן, הקורטיזנה המהממת ואהובת הגברים. איזה בסיס נפלא לקשר בין סבתא לנכדה.
מעבר לכך, סולאנג' היא דמות משעממת עד מוות. היא מספרת כמחצית מהסיפור בגוף ראשון, אך איננו יודעים עליה דבר. היא אף פעם לא מתווכחת על שום דבר, לא נלחמת, לא יוזמת, לא מביעה רגשות סוערים. היא ילדה טובה, מושלמת וחמודה, שכולם אוהבים, והיצור המשעמם ביותר עלי אדמות.
זה הספר הראשון של אליסון ריצ'מן שקראתי. איני יודעת אם ספריה הקודמים טובים יותר, אך לפחות לפי הספר הזה, מדובר בסופרת שלא יודעת להסעיר את הקורא, לרגש ולטלטל. יצאתי אדישה ומאוכזבת.
אכן, הסיפור החדשותי העומד מאחורי הרומן שטוותה אליסון ריצ'מן - מעניין ומסעיר, אך כדי להתרשם ממנו ומהציור המופלא שצייר ג'ובאני בולדיני, די לחפש מידע בגוגל אודות הדירה הפריזאית שננטשה למשך 70 שנה והתגלתה לפתע בשנת 2010.
הרומן של ריצ'מן לטעמי זול ומקושקש. לא אהבתי את שתי הדמויות הראשיות: מרת דה פלוריאן מתוארת כאשה נרקיסיסטית, חובבת יופי ותענוגות, אשר השיגה את עושרה ואת כל הישגיה בחיים באמצעות גופה, יופיה, וכישורי הפיתוי והקסם האישי שלה. לדעתה האומללות הגדולה ביותר עבור אשה היא להיוולד לא יפה, וקשה להימנע מהמחשבה כי גם הקשר הבוסרי שנובט בינה לבין נכדתה סולאנג' לא היה מבשיל לולא היתה סולאנג' נערה יפהפיה, לשביעות רצון סבתה.
סולאנג', הדמות הראשית השניה, נושאת חן בעיני סבתה, לא רק בשל יופיה, אלא גם בשל העובדה כי הקשר בין השתיים מבוסס על הערצה חד צדדית של סולאנג' לסבתה, ועל כך שלאורך התקופה הקצרה בה השתיים בקשר, סולאנג' יושבת מול סבתה, מקשיבה לסיפורי ההצלחה של סבתה בעולם האהבה, המין, אספנות האומנות, והעושר, ורק מתלהבת מסבתה, כותבת בשצף קצף את סיפורה של סבתה במחברתה האישית (על מנת להפכו לרומן בבוא העת) ושתי הנשים היפהפיות יושבות יחד ומעריצות בעיניים חולמניות את מרת דה פלוריאן, הקורטיזנה המהממת ואהובת הגברים. איזה בסיס נפלא לקשר בין סבתא לנכדה.
מעבר לכך, סולאנג' היא דמות משעממת עד מוות. היא מספרת כמחצית מהסיפור בגוף ראשון, אך איננו יודעים עליה דבר. היא אף פעם לא מתווכחת על שום דבר, לא נלחמת, לא יוזמת, לא מביעה רגשות סוערים. היא ילדה טובה, מושלמת וחמודה, שכולם אוהבים, והיצור המשעמם ביותר עלי אדמות.
זה הספר הראשון של אליסון ריצ'מן שקראתי. איני יודעת אם ספריה הקודמים טובים יותר, אך לפחות לפי הספר הזה, מדובר בסופרת שלא יודעת להסעיר את הקורא, לרגש ולטלטל. יצאתי אדישה ומאוכזבת.
October 22, 2016
The Velvet Hours by Alyson Richman. Do you love beautifully written tales of art and music set against the haunting backdrop of World War II? Richman has no equal and she has outdone herself with this tale of a Paris apartment that has been mysteriously locked and left untouched since the war, which once belonged to an elusive courtesan.
April 10, 2023
Que belleza, me encantó, he leído varios libros de la autora y éste me estaba faltando. Siempre los temas de la segunda guerra mundial me llaman la atención, los personajes son entrañables, cada cual con su sello propio. Mientras mas libros de la autora leo más me gusta, se ha transformado en una de mis autoras favoritas.
June 1, 2016
I was initially intrigued by this book when I first saw it on NetGalley. It deals with war-torn France for at least part of the book, and having read and loved The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah, I decided to give it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. The author creates a rich setting and memorable characters. It is the story of two women, and is at least based partly on an actual apartment in Paris that was preserved for seventy years after the death of its inhabitant, Marthe de Florian. This novel tells the imagined tale of Marthe de Florian, a courtesan during the Belle Epoque era, and her granddaughter, Solange. The relationship between Marthe and Solange develops through the novel as Marthe relates her life story to Solange. This is center of the book, but Solange's life outside of her relationship with her grandmother also becomes a focus, as World War II commences and the Germans invade France. I recommend this book to anyone who loved the Nightingale, or is a fan of quality literary historical fiction.
November 6, 2016
I have read reviews of Alyson Richman's books that quickly led to me scooping up her newest book, The Velvet Hours, and all of her backlist, without having read a single word. All of those reviews held true for me. Richman's writing is exquisite, and the characters were fascinating and vividly realistic. I read a few books about the now famous Paris apartment left as a time capsule for over 70 years, but this book was certainly the most captivating on the subject. This novel gets my highest recommendation for my reader friends who enjoy great fiction, and especially those who love fiction grounded in history. Don't miss this one!
January 27, 2022
I can't say much about this book without giving it all away, so I will say this. I was not going to finish it. I thought the entire premise was preposterous. I only kept on with it because I was listening to the audio book and the style went quite well with the embroidery piece I am working on. It set the mood, don't you know. Richman does have a way of spinning descriptive prose.
Anyway, I find out at the end the story is basically true! Now I like it very much. Glad I read it.
Anyway, I find out at the end the story is basically true! Now I like it very much. Glad I read it.
September 21, 2016
I wanted to like this book. No, I wanted to love this book. It's the perfect location, time frame & characters to build a lovely story. It bordered on boring. The storyline is flat. It's hard to actually like the characters. I was massively disappointed. I expected so much more.
November 13, 2022
ספר מתוק ומקסים. ממתק לחובבי הרומן ההיסטורי. מהרגע שהתחלתי לקרוא, נשאבתי לתוכו והתקשיתי לעזוב.
הספר נע בין פריז ערב הכיבוש הנאצי לבין פריז של סוף המאה ה-19. סולאנז' שלא ממזמן איבדה את אמה נפגשת לראשונה עם סבתה מצד אביה, ושומעת ממנה את סיפור חייה. במקביל, חוקרת סולאנז' גם את שורשיה מצד אמה. מרתה, סבתה של סולאנז' חיה בבועה מנותקת מההווה המאיים, וגם הסיפור שלה נותן לקורא הפוגה מהמתח שאופף את פריז ערב הכיבוש.
ספר שלדעתי יהיה סרט נפלא וסוחט דמעות.
הספר טרם יצא לחנויות בתרגום לעברית. קראתי אותו במסגרת קבוצת הקוראים המשפיעים של ידיעות ספרים ("הספר הלבן" של חודש ינואר).
הספר נע בין פריז ערב הכיבוש הנאצי לבין פריז של סוף המאה ה-19. סולאנז' שלא ממזמן איבדה את אמה נפגשת לראשונה עם סבתה מצד אביה, ושומעת ממנה את סיפור חייה. במקביל, חוקרת סולאנז' גם את שורשיה מצד אמה. מרתה, סבתה של סולאנז' חיה בבועה מנותקת מההווה המאיים, וגם הסיפור שלה נותן לקורא הפוגה מהמתח שאופף את פריז ערב הכיבוש.
ספר שלדעתי יהיה סרט נפלא וסוחט דמעות.
הספר טרם יצא לחנויות בתרגום לעברית. קראתי אותו במסגרת קבוצת הקוראים המשפיעים של ידיעות ספרים ("הספר הלבן" של חודש ינואר).
November 7, 2016
Wanted to love this as the story line was so intriguing. However, I couldn't get past page 100. Found the writing dull and uninspired.
June 8, 2022
Otro libro espectacular de Alyson Richman. La escritora de “Los amantes de Praga” -un libro maravilloso-, se ha superado con “Las horas de terciopelo “.
Cuando llegué al 60% del libro me enteré que está basado en una historia real: Un departamento parisino que fue mantenido cerrado durante 70 años sin que nadie lo abriera y del que sus herederos se enteraron de su existencia en el año 2010. El retrato que se menciona durante todo el libro, pintura que se le adjudica al pintor italiano Giovanni Boldini, fue subastado en 2014 por 2.1 millones de euros (Wowww!!!).
Cuando los nazis amenazan con tomar el control de París, una joven cierra para siempre el maravilloso departamento de su abuela, dejando tras sus puertas tesoros y bellezas inimaginables.
Marthe de Florian, famosa cortesana durante su juventud, buscó llenar su existencia con arte y lujos, evadiendo los recuerdos de una infancia ensombrecida por la pobreza y los oscuros callejones de Montmartre. Mientras la guerra está a punto de desatarse en Europa, usa las preciadas posesiones que ha coleccionado durante una vida para compartirle su historia y secretos más íntimos a su nieta Solange, una joven que aspira a ser escritora. Quien luego deberá huir de Paris escapando de los Nazis hacia Buenos Aires.
Es realmente ESPECTACULAR.
Van 5 ⭐️
Cuando llegué al 60% del libro me enteré que está basado en una historia real: Un departamento parisino que fue mantenido cerrado durante 70 años sin que nadie lo abriera y del que sus herederos se enteraron de su existencia en el año 2010. El retrato que se menciona durante todo el libro, pintura que se le adjudica al pintor italiano Giovanni Boldini, fue subastado en 2014 por 2.1 millones de euros (Wowww!!!).
Cuando los nazis amenazan con tomar el control de París, una joven cierra para siempre el maravilloso departamento de su abuela, dejando tras sus puertas tesoros y bellezas inimaginables.
Marthe de Florian, famosa cortesana durante su juventud, buscó llenar su existencia con arte y lujos, evadiendo los recuerdos de una infancia ensombrecida por la pobreza y los oscuros callejones de Montmartre. Mientras la guerra está a punto de desatarse en Europa, usa las preciadas posesiones que ha coleccionado durante una vida para compartirle su historia y secretos más íntimos a su nieta Solange, una joven que aspira a ser escritora. Quien luego deberá huir de Paris escapando de los Nazis hacia Buenos Aires.
Es realmente ESPECTACULAR.
Van 5 ⭐️
dnf
October 15, 2016DNF at 38%. The writing is beautiful but it's primarily a Belle Époque book...not a WWII novel like I expected. I didn't care enough about the main thread to continue.
March 23, 2020
Cuando encontré esta novela, y vi su sinopsis, supe que tenia que leerla y supe que me iba a encantar, y la verdad que no me ha decepcionado para nada y en ningún momento.
Si que es verdad que es un libro de personajes, en el que hay descripciones de lugares, de personas, de obras de arte…pero para nada se me ha hecho pesado.
Marthe de Florian, aunque ese no siempre fue su nombre, nació siendo pobre, tuvo una vida dura, a una edad muy temprana fue testigo de la muerte de su hermana, algo que nunca olvidara.
Dos historias, su nieta Solange, solo la conoce cuando tiene diecinueve años, ya que su padre nunca supo quien fue su verdadera madre. Es en este momento cuando Marthe y Solange crean un vinculo, cuando Marthe le cuenta la historia de su vida, y la magnífica pintura de Marthe que cuelga en su espectacular departamento.
La historia es realmente fascinante, la parte de Solange también es muy interesante, sobretodo porque es una joven enamorada, en los años de la segunda guerra mundial.
Es muy complicado hacer una reseña de este libro sin desvelar muchos secretos, pero s ite gusta leer novelas que cuentan historias sobre la guerra y sobre el pasado de las personas, es muy recomendable.
La pluma de la autora, que hasta esta novela no la conocía, me ha gustado mucho, haciendo que quisiera leer mas y mas cada vez, queriendo conocer la historia de estas dos mujeres que lucharon por la libertad y por la gente que amaban.
Si que es verdad que es un libro de personajes, en el que hay descripciones de lugares, de personas, de obras de arte…pero para nada se me ha hecho pesado.
Marthe de Florian, aunque ese no siempre fue su nombre, nació siendo pobre, tuvo una vida dura, a una edad muy temprana fue testigo de la muerte de su hermana, algo que nunca olvidara.
Dos historias, su nieta Solange, solo la conoce cuando tiene diecinueve años, ya que su padre nunca supo quien fue su verdadera madre. Es en este momento cuando Marthe y Solange crean un vinculo, cuando Marthe le cuenta la historia de su vida, y la magnífica pintura de Marthe que cuelga en su espectacular departamento.
La historia es realmente fascinante, la parte de Solange también es muy interesante, sobretodo porque es una joven enamorada, en los años de la segunda guerra mundial.
Es muy complicado hacer una reseña de este libro sin desvelar muchos secretos, pero s ite gusta leer novelas que cuentan historias sobre la guerra y sobre el pasado de las personas, es muy recomendable.
La pluma de la autora, que hasta esta novela no la conocía, me ha gustado mucho, haciendo que quisiera leer mas y mas cada vez, queriendo conocer la historia de estas dos mujeres que lucharon por la libertad y por la gente que amaban.
November 23, 2016
This is the first novel I’ve read by Alyson Richman. I must admit that it took me three starts to get into this book. I normally like detailed writing but I found that especially the beginning was so bogged down in descriptive details of Marthe de Florian’s possessions that I grew tired of it. Ms. deFlorian did not achieve this wealth because of any great accomplishments or inheritance but rather because she was a courtesan for a wealthy married man. I also could have done without the explicit descriptions of positions that they used during sex. She sought out Chinese art which showed the many positions of love making.
That said there was the relationship with her granddaughter Solange who first is introduced to her grandmother in 1938. Solange is an author and spends time with Marthe for two years. Marthe tells her story to her granddaughter including how she acquired each piece of art, porcelain, and other beautiful objects. The most impressive piece that she owns is a portrait of herself which was commissioned by a well known artist of the time. During all of this time I really didn’t see an real emotional attachment being formed between the two women, maybe it just got lost in the details.
In 1940 right before the German occupation and after Marthe’s death, Solange locks the apartment for the last time and fleeing Paris. It is really not clear to me why she never returned to the apartment. I would have liked to have more time spent in describing the rest of Solange’s life but the story just “stopped”.
I appreciate that there is definitely some good writing here but I don’t think that I could recommend it. I would also caution readers who might be offended by some of the explicit sex in this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley, thank you.
That said there was the relationship with her granddaughter Solange who first is introduced to her grandmother in 1938. Solange is an author and spends time with Marthe for two years. Marthe tells her story to her granddaughter including how she acquired each piece of art, porcelain, and other beautiful objects. The most impressive piece that she owns is a portrait of herself which was commissioned by a well known artist of the time. During all of this time I really didn’t see an real emotional attachment being formed between the two women, maybe it just got lost in the details.
In 1940 right before the German occupation and after Marthe’s death, Solange locks the apartment for the last time and fleeing Paris. It is really not clear to me why she never returned to the apartment. I would have liked to have more time spent in describing the rest of Solange’s life but the story just “stopped”.
I appreciate that there is definitely some good writing here but I don’t think that I could recommend it. I would also caution readers who might be offended by some of the explicit sex in this book.
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher and NetGalley, thank you.
August 28, 2016
"Those hours were like velvet to me. Stories spun of silken thread"
This wonderful novel brings together two stories based in Paris. The first story is that of Marthe deFlorian, a poor girl who became a courtesan during the Belle Epoque era and her granddaughter Solange who doesn't even know of Marthe's existence until 1938. After they meet, Marthe starts sharing the story of her life with her granddaughter who wants to be an author. Over the two years that they talk, Solange learns about her grandmothers life and her love of art and beautiful objects. In 1940, after Marthe's death, Solange locks her grandmothers apartment for the last time before she flees Paris before the Germans arrive. This apartment was not unlocked again until 2010 after the death of Solange.
The book alternates between the stories of the two main characters. Often in books with two main characters telling their story, I like one more than the other but with this book, I was equally interested in the stories of both women. They both gave a beautiful look at their time periods, not just the clothes and the art of the time but also the mood of the people in Paris. The reader can feel the unrest going on in Paris as the Germans get closer to invading France.
This is a fantastic historical fiction novel with two main characters that Alyson Richman's readers won't soon forget. (Thanks to Andrea of great thoughts, great readers for sharing a copy of this book.)
This wonderful novel brings together two stories based in Paris. The first story is that of Marthe deFlorian, a poor girl who became a courtesan during the Belle Epoque era and her granddaughter Solange who doesn't even know of Marthe's existence until 1938. After they meet, Marthe starts sharing the story of her life with her granddaughter who wants to be an author. Over the two years that they talk, Solange learns about her grandmothers life and her love of art and beautiful objects. In 1940, after Marthe's death, Solange locks her grandmothers apartment for the last time before she flees Paris before the Germans arrive. This apartment was not unlocked again until 2010 after the death of Solange.
The book alternates between the stories of the two main characters. Often in books with two main characters telling their story, I like one more than the other but with this book, I was equally interested in the stories of both women. They both gave a beautiful look at their time periods, not just the clothes and the art of the time but also the mood of the people in Paris. The reader can feel the unrest going on in Paris as the Germans get closer to invading France.
This is a fantastic historical fiction novel with two main characters that Alyson Richman's readers won't soon forget. (Thanks to Andrea of great thoughts, great readers for sharing a copy of this book.)
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