What do you think?
Rate this book
Syersken fra Paris
Paris, 1940. Tre unge pariserinder forsøger at klare den daglige tilværelse trods nazisternes besættelse. Hver især gemmer de på en hemmelighed, der kan bringe dem alle i alvorlig fare, og da sløret endelig løftes, tvinges de til at træffe et umuligt valg.
Paris, i dag. To generationer senere forsøger Harriet at finde svar på fortidens gåder. Hun er rodløs og higer desperat efter at få mere at vide om sin families historie. Da hun følger i sin mormors fodspor til Rue Cardinale, åbenbares sandheden endelig for hende. Men det er en sandhed, der er mørkere og mere smertefuld, end hun nogensinde havde forestillet sig.
Syersken fra Paris er en uforglemmelig og rørende fortælling om tre unge kvinders skæbnesvangre valg under krigen, om deres stærke venskab og loyalitet mod hinanden og forræderiet, der risikerer at splitte dem ad i deres mørkeste skæbnestund.
Paris, i dag. To generationer senere forsøger Harriet at finde svar på fortidens gåder. Hun er rodløs og higer desperat efter at få mere at vide om sin families historie. Da hun følger i sin mormors fodspor til Rue Cardinale, åbenbares sandheden endelig for hende. Men det er en sandhed, der er mørkere og mere smertefuld, end hun nogensinde havde forestillet sig.
Syersken fra Paris er en uforglemmelig og rørende fortælling om tre unge kvinders skæbnesvangre valg under krigen, om deres stærke venskab og loyalitet mod hinanden og forræderiet, der risikerer at splitte dem ad i deres mørkeste skæbnestund.
333 pages
First published October 1, 2019
35795 people are currently reading
62184 people want to read
About the author
Fiona Valpy
19 books2,452 followersFiona Valpy spent seven years living in France, having moved there from the UK in 2007. She and her family renovated an old, rambling farmhouse in the Bordeaux winelands, during which time she developed new-found skills in cement-mixing, interior decorating and wine-tasting.
All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place, the people and their history, have found their way into the books she’s written, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Fiona now lives in Scotland, but enjoys regular visits to France in search of the sun.
Sign up to be the first to hear about her NEW releases here: http://bit.ly/184zc8B
All of these inspirations, along with a love for the place, the people and their history, have found their way into the books she’s written, which have been translated into more than 30 languages and sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Fiona now lives in Scotland, but enjoys regular visits to France in search of the sun.
Sign up to be the first to hear about her NEW releases here: http://bit.ly/184zc8B
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,839 reviews
September 7, 2019
Making the hand rocking motion.
The grandmothers' story was interesting and good. The granddaughter's story was not so interesting, and the coincidences required a suspension of disbelief beyond what I could muster. Also, the granddaughter was, well, kind of annoying and weak through most of the book, which made it difficult not to whiz through her sections.
The grandmothers' story was interesting and good. The granddaughter's story was not so interesting, and the coincidences required a suspension of disbelief beyond what I could muster. Also, the granddaughter was, well, kind of annoying and weak through most of the book, which made it difficult not to whiz through her sections.
September 1, 2019
3.5 stars
This novel follows other modern historical fiction trends: the modern-day character, Harriet, finds an old photograph in box that shows her grandmother as a young lady with two other girls, and Harriet then makes it her goal to uncover the past of her familial history concerning her grandmother, Claire.
The first chapter was very cliché. Harriet moves to Paris obtaining a job in the same building that her grandmother, Claire, worked in. And, she settles in the same apartment that her grandmother lived in. And, Harriet’s roommate in that apartment happens to be the granddaughter of one of the girls in the picture who also lived in that same apartment. Very convenient beginning.
...But the story does get better and becomes entertaining.
The synopsis provided is accurate, for the most part. The three seamstresses in 1940, Claire (Harriet’s grandmother), Mireille, and Vivienne, live together in a small apartment and slowly develop a trusted friendship. Their involvement with the resistance is mostly limited to courier, depending on the character, though they do assistant in helping people out of German-occupied France to safety. With none of them being Jewish, the Jew’s oppression is merely a backdrop in the story and is only mentioned occasionally. It does provide some insight into Flossenburg camp, not as a Jew but as a traitor.
I did not enjoy Harriet’s chapters as much. They seemed like “fillers” and at times the story could be followed easily without having read some of Harriet’s chapters. However, her chapters are not long, so it is bearable. In Harriet’s chapters she mostly recounts the previous chapter of what was revealed to her about her grandmother. She also struggles to cope with the loss of her mother to suicide, and frequently Harriet questions if she has inherited trauma genes.
Overall, I liked the story and found it to be a light, quick, average read that at times intensified. It focused on the girl’s relationship development and their work as a seamstress in Nazi-occupied Paris until approximately 45% (on a Kindle). The plot then heightens again at 61 % (on a Kindle). It does have interesting tidbits of historical information lightly sprinkled here and there.
There are an abundance of fashion references and scenes. Highly recommend if you love Paris fashion. It did not include any vulgar language, sex scenes, or explicit violence.
This novel follows other modern historical fiction trends: the modern-day character, Harriet, finds an old photograph in box that shows her grandmother as a young lady with two other girls, and Harriet then makes it her goal to uncover the past of her familial history concerning her grandmother, Claire.
The first chapter was very cliché. Harriet moves to Paris obtaining a job in the same building that her grandmother, Claire, worked in. And, she settles in the same apartment that her grandmother lived in. And, Harriet’s roommate in that apartment happens to be the granddaughter of one of the girls in the picture who also lived in that same apartment. Very convenient beginning.
...But the story does get better and becomes entertaining.
The synopsis provided is accurate, for the most part. The three seamstresses in 1940, Claire (Harriet’s grandmother), Mireille, and Vivienne, live together in a small apartment and slowly develop a trusted friendship. Their involvement with the resistance is mostly limited to courier, depending on the character, though they do assistant in helping people out of German-occupied France to safety. With none of them being Jewish, the Jew’s oppression is merely a backdrop in the story and is only mentioned occasionally. It does provide some insight into Flossenburg camp, not as a Jew but as a traitor.
I did not enjoy Harriet’s chapters as much. They seemed like “fillers” and at times the story could be followed easily without having read some of Harriet’s chapters. However, her chapters are not long, so it is bearable. In Harriet’s chapters she mostly recounts the previous chapter of what was revealed to her about her grandmother. She also struggles to cope with the loss of her mother to suicide, and frequently Harriet questions if she has inherited trauma genes.
Overall, I liked the story and found it to be a light, quick, average read that at times intensified. It focused on the girl’s relationship development and their work as a seamstress in Nazi-occupied Paris until approximately 45% (on a Kindle). The plot then heightens again at 61 % (on a Kindle). It does have interesting tidbits of historical information lightly sprinkled here and there.
There are an abundance of fashion references and scenes. Highly recommend if you love Paris fashion. It did not include any vulgar language, sex scenes, or explicit violence.
September 16, 2019
Dissenting opinion
I picked this free book through the Amazon First Reads program (or something like that). I love stories set in WWII and I am always looking to read something from a different angle. I enjoy books that move back and forth in time and reading about a character in the present discovering something about their family. I also enjoy sewing as a hobby. So the description of this book rang a lot of happy bells for me. I’m sad that it fell so short. In terms of storytelling and writing, there are so many better books out there. The author’s pitch for the not very scientifically sound idea of inherited trauma dropped this down to two stars for me.
The parallel stories have potential. It is set between 1940-45 in Nazi occupied Paris. Three young seamstresses live together above the fashion house where they are employed. Each of them is involved in the French resistance in different ways. They are initially unaware that the others are actively working to free France. Move forward to 2017. One of the seamstress’ granddaughter comes to Paris hoping to learn more about her family as she still mourns her mother’s suicide some years earlier. Coincidently, she ends up in the same apartment as her grandmother and is rooming with a young woman whose grandmother was also a seamstress and living in that apartment. As granddaughter Harriet learns more about her grandmother Claire, she gains insight into her family and into herself. Harriet is also in Paris during the time of bombings and terrorist attacks in France. This is an interesting and unique plot line. However, I think the author missed some opportunities here to make some stronger connects between the time periods.
Several things made this a two star rating for me. First, the writing is average and just basic storytelling. Compared to other books I have read on this topic, The Dressmaker’s Gift is WWII lite and lacks emotional resonance. There are also too many happy coincidences and too many happy endings for my taste.
This was a three star book until the idea of inherited trauma was introduced. Specific to the book, Grandma Claire was in a Nazi prison camp, Harriet’s mother committed suicide, and Harriet has some unspecified issues of her own. Harriet finds some comfort in this trauma domino effect. Though the author does mention in her afterward that the idea of inherited trauma is debated and that “some scientists remain skeptical” I worry that some vulnerable readers may latch onto this idea. This is pretty new research with small sample sizes and poorly supported outcomes. My understanding is that there are a lot more questions than answers about an ancestor’s trauma altering genes in the next generations. Certainly other readers may find my soapbox rant irrelevant to the book.
Finally, my recommendations for some powerhouse books about about Nazi occupied France and the French resistance: Dragonfly by Leila Meacham; The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
I picked this free book through the Amazon First Reads program (or something like that). I love stories set in WWII and I am always looking to read something from a different angle. I enjoy books that move back and forth in time and reading about a character in the present discovering something about their family. I also enjoy sewing as a hobby. So the description of this book rang a lot of happy bells for me. I’m sad that it fell so short. In terms of storytelling and writing, there are so many better books out there. The author’s pitch for the not very scientifically sound idea of inherited trauma dropped this down to two stars for me.
The parallel stories have potential. It is set between 1940-45 in Nazi occupied Paris. Three young seamstresses live together above the fashion house where they are employed. Each of them is involved in the French resistance in different ways. They are initially unaware that the others are actively working to free France. Move forward to 2017. One of the seamstress’ granddaughter comes to Paris hoping to learn more about her family as she still mourns her mother’s suicide some years earlier. Coincidently, she ends up in the same apartment as her grandmother and is rooming with a young woman whose grandmother was also a seamstress and living in that apartment. As granddaughter Harriet learns more about her grandmother Claire, she gains insight into her family and into herself. Harriet is also in Paris during the time of bombings and terrorist attacks in France. This is an interesting and unique plot line. However, I think the author missed some opportunities here to make some stronger connects between the time periods.
Several things made this a two star rating for me. First, the writing is average and just basic storytelling. Compared to other books I have read on this topic, The Dressmaker’s Gift is WWII lite and lacks emotional resonance. There are also too many happy coincidences and too many happy endings for my taste.
This was a three star book until the idea of inherited trauma was introduced. Specific to the book, Grandma Claire was in a Nazi prison camp, Harriet’s mother committed suicide, and Harriet has some unspecified issues of her own. Harriet finds some comfort in this trauma domino effect. Though the author does mention in her afterward that the idea of inherited trauma is debated and that “some scientists remain skeptical” I worry that some vulnerable readers may latch onto this idea. This is pretty new research with small sample sizes and poorly supported outcomes. My understanding is that there are a lot more questions than answers about an ancestor’s trauma altering genes in the next generations. Certainly other readers may find my soapbox rant irrelevant to the book.
Finally, my recommendations for some powerhouse books about about Nazi occupied France and the French resistance: Dragonfly by Leila Meacham; The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah; and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr.
December 1, 2022
Over a year ago I decided I was done with WWII dual timeline historical fiction novels. Prior to that decision, I had purchased this on audio. I finally decided to listen to it based on the excellent reviews.
I am giving it 4-stars because it is so well-written. Fiona Valpy is an excellent researcher and fantastic storyteller. But, this novel didn't cover any new topics I haven't read about numerous times before. There are SOE agents working in France who are captured and sent to prison camps. There is the modern-day story of inherited family trauma. Same old, same old.
I am giving it 4-stars because it is so well-written. Fiona Valpy is an excellent researcher and fantastic storyteller. But, this novel didn't cover any new topics I haven't read about numerous times before. There are SOE agents working in France who are captured and sent to prison camps. There is the modern-day story of inherited family trauma. Same old, same old.
May 17, 2022
“cry for humanity, for a world which can so easily be broken.”
The setting is war torn France; the story is about three seamstresses and their roles during the occupation, the message is one of hope and survival, but the sentiment is heart-breaking. Why because this life, the treatment and outcome was true of so many people.
In 1940, three seamstresses move into a small apartment to live and work over a dressmaker’s shop. Mireille, Vivienne, and Claire, whose granddaughter narrates part of the story in the present day, become close friends but each harbours a secret about themselves and what their lives whilst not together making uniforms and other apparel. Important why because Mireille is fighting on the side of the resistance, Claire has entered into a dangerous liaison with a German officer and Vivienne the most tenacious is on the front line of the war effort sabotaging German efforts from within occupied France.
Some of the detail in the story is heartbreaking and brutal but the underlying story is about courage, sacrifice and honour.
Review and Comments
What I enjoyed about this book may be a reason why others disliked it. It was not as intense as some of the WWII books I’ve read over the years and went light touch on some of the more disturbing aspects of the war. For example the treatment of Jews and concentration camps was the backdrop not the main event, although some of brutality Vivienne was subjected to was harrowing.
The story was about how friendships can be formed, tested, and destroyed. How people can be broken, healed and find inner strength in the darkest of hours. Most importantly, it shares an important part of history where our ancestors lived in near poverty, in a world full of hate, in a time of war and fought for everything we have today. It is unthinkable that the world had to learn to live in peaceful times after so many turbulent years and many for years clung to what they had for fear of losing it, echoed in poignant words from the novel
“I see now that it’s one of the paradoxes of life that if we love it so much that we are frightened of losing it, it can make us live a half-life, too scared to get out there and live whole-heartedly because we have too much to lose"
In memory of all those lives lost in WWII from all sides and for all those innocent lives lost in Ukraine today.
(Read April reviewed today)
The setting is war torn France; the story is about three seamstresses and their roles during the occupation, the message is one of hope and survival, but the sentiment is heart-breaking. Why because this life, the treatment and outcome was true of so many people.
In 1940, three seamstresses move into a small apartment to live and work over a dressmaker’s shop. Mireille, Vivienne, and Claire, whose granddaughter narrates part of the story in the present day, become close friends but each harbours a secret about themselves and what their lives whilst not together making uniforms and other apparel. Important why because Mireille is fighting on the side of the resistance, Claire has entered into a dangerous liaison with a German officer and Vivienne the most tenacious is on the front line of the war effort sabotaging German efforts from within occupied France.
Some of the detail in the story is heartbreaking and brutal but the underlying story is about courage, sacrifice and honour.
Review and Comments
What I enjoyed about this book may be a reason why others disliked it. It was not as intense as some of the WWII books I’ve read over the years and went light touch on some of the more disturbing aspects of the war. For example the treatment of Jews and concentration camps was the backdrop not the main event, although some of brutality Vivienne was subjected to was harrowing.
The story was about how friendships can be formed, tested, and destroyed. How people can be broken, healed and find inner strength in the darkest of hours. Most importantly, it shares an important part of history where our ancestors lived in near poverty, in a world full of hate, in a time of war and fought for everything we have today. It is unthinkable that the world had to learn to live in peaceful times after so many turbulent years and many for years clung to what they had for fear of losing it, echoed in poignant words from the novel
“I see now that it’s one of the paradoxes of life that if we love it so much that we are frightened of losing it, it can make us live a half-life, too scared to get out there and live whole-heartedly because we have too much to lose"
In memory of all those lives lost in WWII from all sides and for all those innocent lives lost in Ukraine today.
(Read April reviewed today)
October 23, 2019
So......the writing is not compelling, completely sophomoric and unimaginative. I’m finding myself skimming..not sure how this got such high ratings!
September 5, 2019
Fantastic with one small note
Fantastic book. It was gripping and suspenseful, painful and emotional, uplifting and allegorical for the times. My one note is that the story of the three seamstresses is set up to be revealed to Harriet through some letters. I don’t want to say any spoilers so I’ll just say that it seems unlikely that the person writing the letters would have such in depth knowledge of events that took place without him/her.
I loved the idea behind the letters but it was hard to believe in points. Perhaps a diary or some other artifacts from elsewhere could have helped bolster the believability.
Fantastic book. It was gripping and suspenseful, painful and emotional, uplifting and allegorical for the times. My one note is that the story of the three seamstresses is set up to be revealed to Harriet through some letters. I don’t want to say any spoilers so I’ll just say that it seems unlikely that the person writing the letters would have such in depth knowledge of events that took place without him/her.
I loved the idea behind the letters but it was hard to believe in points. Perhaps a diary or some other artifacts from elsewhere could have helped bolster the believability.
March 19, 2023
Paris, 1940. The city is occupied by the Germans, three young French seamstresses Claire, Mireille and Vivienne are kept busy sewing beautiful dresses for German officers wives and their mistresses. The girls share a tiny apartment, it's situated on the top floor of the fashion house where they work and young ladies are best friends.
The French citizens are struggling to survive, basic necessities are in short supply, everything is restricted and taken by the German army. Food, clothing, new shoes, fuel to run heaters and cars is hard to find. People are being sent to work in Germany, others are arrested, their families and friends never hear from them again. The French people are doing what they can to rebel against the German's, many are involved in the resistance and are the seamstresses?
Paris 2017. Harriet arrives in France, she's Claire's granddaughter and she moved to France to work for a year. Much to her shock she discovers she's living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale as her grandmother. Harriet's mother died when she was very young, her dad married again and she's struggled with finding her place in the world. She's discovers a picture of three smiling young women in Paris, taken during WW II, and in a box of her mother things? Harriet decides to investigate, find out the women's identities, what happened to them during the war and she's not prepared for what she uncovers.
Three young women living, working and trying to survive in Paris during WW II. They had to make difficult choices, it's very dangerous, anyone could betray them and they had no idea who they could trust? Claire, Mireille and Vivienne had a friendship that was sewn together by a unbreakable thread and it lives on in the beautiful gowns they made.
I enjoyed, The Dressmaker's Gift, the dual time line was easy to follow and it was relevant to the books ending.
Harriet's grandparents never spoke about what happened to them during WW II, it effected their daughter Felicity, she struggled to cope, by discovering the truth about her grandmother experiences during the war, it helps Harriet understand her own mothers battle with mental illness and she's reunited with her father. I received a copy of The Dressmaker's Gift, opinions expressed in this review are my own and I gave the book four stars.
The French citizens are struggling to survive, basic necessities are in short supply, everything is restricted and taken by the German army. Food, clothing, new shoes, fuel to run heaters and cars is hard to find. People are being sent to work in Germany, others are arrested, their families and friends never hear from them again. The French people are doing what they can to rebel against the German's, many are involved in the resistance and are the seamstresses?
Paris 2017. Harriet arrives in France, she's Claire's granddaughter and she moved to France to work for a year. Much to her shock she discovers she's living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale as her grandmother. Harriet's mother died when she was very young, her dad married again and she's struggled with finding her place in the world. She's discovers a picture of three smiling young women in Paris, taken during WW II, and in a box of her mother things? Harriet decides to investigate, find out the women's identities, what happened to them during the war and she's not prepared for what she uncovers.
Three young women living, working and trying to survive in Paris during WW II. They had to make difficult choices, it's very dangerous, anyone could betray them and they had no idea who they could trust? Claire, Mireille and Vivienne had a friendship that was sewn together by a unbreakable thread and it lives on in the beautiful gowns they made.
I enjoyed, The Dressmaker's Gift, the dual time line was easy to follow and it was relevant to the books ending.
Harriet's grandparents never spoke about what happened to them during WW II, it effected their daughter Felicity, she struggled to cope, by discovering the truth about her grandmother experiences during the war, it helps Harriet understand her own mothers battle with mental illness and she's reunited with her father. I received a copy of The Dressmaker's Gift, opinions expressed in this review are my own and I gave the book four stars.
December 20, 2019
The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy is a must read historical fiction novel.
It follows the common trend most of the novels in this genre are following - a young protagonist trying to discover their familial history and uncover their roots. The plot is cliched at times, yet the execution makes the journey of reading this book worth its while.
There are abundant mentions of Paris and its fashion industry. The end also mentions a few good books related to the German war camps.
Verdict: Recommended if you enjoy reading stories revolving around WWII.
It follows the common trend most of the novels in this genre are following - a young protagonist trying to discover their familial history and uncover their roots. The plot is cliched at times, yet the execution makes the journey of reading this book worth its while.
There are abundant mentions of Paris and its fashion industry. The end also mentions a few good books related to the German war camps.
Verdict: Recommended if you enjoy reading stories revolving around WWII.
August 30, 2019
A hauntingly beautiful story. This book was completely immersive and really transports you back through time. It's rare I read wartime stories that actually depict everything how it actually was rather than romanticizing everything. Very down to earth book with relatable characters.
October 18, 2019
‘I see now it is one of the paradoxes of life that if we love it so much that we are frightened of losing it, it can make us live a half-life, too scared to get out there and live whole-heartedly because we have too much to lose’
Guided by a photo from her grandmother’s past, Harriet finds herself in Paris. Desperate to find a sense of identity and recover from her past, she sets about finding out the truth of what happened during World War II, and what became of those three women in the photo...
Unfortunately this one wasn’t really for me. I found the writing quite simplistic at times, and didn’t feel the characters were very well written. There was no real complexity, and they were all very flimsily constructed - who goes from loving a German officer to being part of the resistance within a few short pages? Many of the situations like that could have been handled far better, but instead just felt like lazy writing.
Also, I personally found any of the sections that were meant to be emotionally charged - such as those focusing on the death of a character, or two people falling in love (yes this book also throws in the dreaded instalove) - just felt completely flat. As a reader, it made for a very dull reading experience.
The changes between past and present were also not that great. Harriet was not a good character, and her chapters really added nothing but a bit of bulk to the book. There was also the issue of how she knew what was going on in the past - how exactly did all of that inner dialogue get into letters? It just didn’t make sense, and like another reviewer commented, having used a diary would have made this issue far stronger. Also, the forced links between the two were just bad writing - we didn’t need to read Harriet reflecting on what had just happened to Claire. We read what happened to Claire ourselves. It was pointless, repetitive, and felt like a way to bulk up the word count. To be honest, once I realised that Harriet’s sections were just fluff and trite nonsense about finding herself with no real story, I ended up skimming most of them, which is good, because it ended up being completely ridiculous.
Final complaint is about the level of repetition - towards the end, someone’s true identity is revealed. The fact that they said they were someone else is then repeated every. single. time the character is mention. Seriously, we can remember basic facts that were mentioned just a few minutes ago. Don’t assume your reader is dumb, and don’t overexplain.
All in all, just not a fan. I read it in a few hours, simply due to the fact that I really hate not finishing books, so decided to blitz in instead. Personally, I thought it was the weakest book I’ve read in a while, but that might be because I’ve had some very good World War II fiction over the last few months. Personally, I’d give it a miss and read something else instead.
Disclaimer - I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
Guided by a photo from her grandmother’s past, Harriet finds herself in Paris. Desperate to find a sense of identity and recover from her past, she sets about finding out the truth of what happened during World War II, and what became of those three women in the photo...
Unfortunately this one wasn’t really for me. I found the writing quite simplistic at times, and didn’t feel the characters were very well written. There was no real complexity, and they were all very flimsily constructed - who goes from loving a German officer to being part of the resistance within a few short pages? Many of the situations like that could have been handled far better, but instead just felt like lazy writing.
Also, I personally found any of the sections that were meant to be emotionally charged - such as those focusing on the death of a character, or two people falling in love (yes this book also throws in the dreaded instalove) - just felt completely flat. As a reader, it made for a very dull reading experience.
The changes between past and present were also not that great. Harriet was not a good character, and her chapters really added nothing but a bit of bulk to the book. There was also the issue of how she knew what was going on in the past - how exactly did all of that inner dialogue get into letters? It just didn’t make sense, and like another reviewer commented, having used a diary would have made this issue far stronger. Also, the forced links between the two were just bad writing - we didn’t need to read Harriet reflecting on what had just happened to Claire. We read what happened to Claire ourselves. It was pointless, repetitive, and felt like a way to bulk up the word count. To be honest, once I realised that Harriet’s sections were just fluff and trite nonsense about finding herself with no real story, I ended up skimming most of them, which is good, because it ended up being completely ridiculous.
Final complaint is about the level of repetition - towards the end, someone’s true identity is revealed. The fact that they said they were someone else is then repeated every. single. time the character is mention. Seriously, we can remember basic facts that were mentioned just a few minutes ago. Don’t assume your reader is dumb, and don’t overexplain.
All in all, just not a fan. I read it in a few hours, simply due to the fact that I really hate not finishing books, so decided to blitz in instead. Personally, I thought it was the weakest book I’ve read in a while, but that might be because I’ve had some very good World War II fiction over the last few months. Personally, I’d give it a miss and read something else instead.
Disclaimer - I received an advance reading copy from NetGalley. This has not affected my review in any way, and all opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2023
The Dressmaker's Gift by Fiona Valpy
Synopsis /
Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. War-scarred Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them.
Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find a connection with her past. Living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined.
In wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices when their secret activities put them in grave danger. Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart?
My Thoughts /
With the abundance of published WWII historical-fiction stories a reader is quite literally spoiled for choice. Most, it can be said, are providing you an account of an event or happening from a slightly different viewpoint to another. But there is one thing that is a common thread between most accounts, and that is 'resilience'.
Resilience: the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, or major life changes, and the ability of a system or organization to respond to or recover readily from a crisis, disruptive process.
1941 Occupied Paris and three young seamstresses, Claire, Vivienne, Mireille all work for the same Paris fashion house, Delavigne, Couturier (Rue Cardinale - 6e arrondissement).
Paris, 2017. Harriet Shaw and Simone Thibault both work for Florence Guillemet, Agence Guillemet Relations Publiques (spécialiste Mode), 12 Rue Cardinale, Paris. Agence Guillemet is a PR agency specialising in the fashion sector. Travelling to Paris in the hopes of finding a connection with her past, Harriet couldn't quite believe her luck in landing an internship with Madame Guillemet.
I don't usually believe in fate, but it felt as if a force was at work, drawing me to Paris. Leading me to the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Bringing me here.
We learn that Harriet's grandmother (Claire) lived and worked in Rue Cardinale, Paris - number 12 - the same building, over 70 years ago.
Over the course of the story, Harriet begins investigating her grandmother's history about her life as a seamstress in Nazi occupied Paris - where she worked, how she lived, how she died. The final unravelling of that story is a lot more painful for Harriet than she'd ever imagined.
As I trace those fine, fragile threads of fate back across the years, I am more and more astounded that I am here at all. Life can seem so very tenuous sometimes. But perhaps that fragility is why we treasure it so.
Valpy writes her chapters flipping back and forth from present and past. The 'past' narrated by our three seamstresses, Claire, Vivienne and Mireille; and the 'present', by Harriet. The author's 1940s narrative has been written from a perspective which I've not encountered very often, and it gave this story a uniqueness which I enjoyed.
The idea of haute couture and Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz co-existing in one book is about as believable as milk and orange juice pairing. But it works in this setting. It was Lord Byron back in 1823 who was quoted as saying: 'Tis strange -- but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction; if it could be told.
The descriptions of the wartime experiences of our three seamstresses are harrowing but Valpy has written them carefully, giving thought to avoiding errors and paying attention to the details. As with most reflections of the Nazi regime, it makes for uncomfortable reading.
What is this world where human beings can be the perpetrators of such inhumanity against their own kind?
The resilience of all four women depicted in this story is one of the things I will remember long after I've finished reading. As will Valpy's excellent depiction of contradictions between life in the concentration camps and the haute couture and catwalks in Paris.
Synopsis /
Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. War-scarred Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them.
Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find a connection with her past. Living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined.
In wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices when their secret activities put them in grave danger. Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart?
My Thoughts /
With the abundance of published WWII historical-fiction stories a reader is quite literally spoiled for choice. Most, it can be said, are providing you an account of an event or happening from a slightly different viewpoint to another. But there is one thing that is a common thread between most accounts, and that is 'resilience'.
Resilience: the ability of a person to adjust to or recover readily from illness, adversity, or major life changes, and the ability of a system or organization to respond to or recover readily from a crisis, disruptive process.
1941 Occupied Paris and three young seamstresses, Claire, Vivienne, Mireille all work for the same Paris fashion house, Delavigne, Couturier (Rue Cardinale - 6e arrondissement).
Paris, 2017. Harriet Shaw and Simone Thibault both work for Florence Guillemet, Agence Guillemet Relations Publiques (spécialiste Mode), 12 Rue Cardinale, Paris. Agence Guillemet is a PR agency specialising in the fashion sector. Travelling to Paris in the hopes of finding a connection with her past, Harriet couldn't quite believe her luck in landing an internship with Madame Guillemet.
I don't usually believe in fate, but it felt as if a force was at work, drawing me to Paris. Leading me to the Boulevard Saint-Germain. Bringing me here.
We learn that Harriet's grandmother (Claire) lived and worked in Rue Cardinale, Paris - number 12 - the same building, over 70 years ago.
Over the course of the story, Harriet begins investigating her grandmother's history about her life as a seamstress in Nazi occupied Paris - where she worked, how she lived, how she died. The final unravelling of that story is a lot more painful for Harriet than she'd ever imagined.
As I trace those fine, fragile threads of fate back across the years, I am more and more astounded that I am here at all. Life can seem so very tenuous sometimes. But perhaps that fragility is why we treasure it so.
Valpy writes her chapters flipping back and forth from present and past. The 'past' narrated by our three seamstresses, Claire, Vivienne and Mireille; and the 'present', by Harriet. The author's 1940s narrative has been written from a perspective which I've not encountered very often, and it gave this story a uniqueness which I enjoyed.
The idea of haute couture and Nazi concentration camps like Auschwitz co-existing in one book is about as believable as milk and orange juice pairing. But it works in this setting. It was Lord Byron back in 1823 who was quoted as saying: 'Tis strange -- but true; for truth is always strange; Stranger than fiction; if it could be told.
The descriptions of the wartime experiences of our three seamstresses are harrowing but Valpy has written them carefully, giving thought to avoiding errors and paying attention to the details. As with most reflections of the Nazi regime, it makes for uncomfortable reading.
What is this world where human beings can be the perpetrators of such inhumanity against their own kind?
The resilience of all four women depicted in this story is one of the things I will remember long after I've finished reading. As will Valpy's excellent depiction of contradictions between life in the concentration camps and the haute couture and catwalks in Paris.
March 26, 2021
Siempre que veo historias basadas en la Segunda Guerra Mundial, si o si quiero leerlas. Cuando vi la sinopsis de esta trama, me llamo mucho la atención ya que si además esta narrada en dos tiempos me gusta más aun.
La historia que se narra en el presente tendremos como protagonista a Harriet, que tras encontrar una foto de su abuela con otras dos chicas en Paris en 1940, decide investigar su pasado, y la historia de su familia, yendo a Paris como becaria en una tienda de moda, en la cual también estuvo su abuela. Allí conocera a Simone, nieta de una de las personas que sale en la foto.
En la historia del pasado, iremos conociendo la vida, de Claire, Vivienne y Mirelle, las tres chicas de la foto, iran contando como fue su vida en el comienzo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, como todas ayudaban de una manera u otra a la resistencia y lo que provoco que a dos de ellas las llevaran a un campo de concentración.
Finalmente las dos historias están hiladas de una manera muy buena con un final inesperado.
Hablando de personajes, me han gustado todos y cada uno de ellos, tanto los del pasado como los del presente, destacando sin duda las tres amigas de la historia del pasado, creo que es la que mas fuerza e importancia tiene.
Me ha gustado mucho la ambientación, tanto en el presente, ocurriendo todo en el Paris actual, haciendo guiños a los atentados en Niza... y la ambientación del pasado ya sobradamente conocida por todos, lo que fueron los campos de concentración y las barbaridades que sucedian.
Una historia que recomiendo si te gusta la tematica, hay libros mucho mas duros pero creo que es una buena historia, muy bien escrita y que se lee en un momento por la pluma tan agil de la autora.
La historia que se narra en el presente tendremos como protagonista a Harriet, que tras encontrar una foto de su abuela con otras dos chicas en Paris en 1940, decide investigar su pasado, y la historia de su familia, yendo a Paris como becaria en una tienda de moda, en la cual también estuvo su abuela. Allí conocera a Simone, nieta de una de las personas que sale en la foto.
En la historia del pasado, iremos conociendo la vida, de Claire, Vivienne y Mirelle, las tres chicas de la foto, iran contando como fue su vida en el comienzo de la Segunda Guerra Mundial, como todas ayudaban de una manera u otra a la resistencia y lo que provoco que a dos de ellas las llevaran a un campo de concentración.
Finalmente las dos historias están hiladas de una manera muy buena con un final inesperado.
Hablando de personajes, me han gustado todos y cada uno de ellos, tanto los del pasado como los del presente, destacando sin duda las tres amigas de la historia del pasado, creo que es la que mas fuerza e importancia tiene.
Me ha gustado mucho la ambientación, tanto en el presente, ocurriendo todo en el Paris actual, haciendo guiños a los atentados en Niza... y la ambientación del pasado ya sobradamente conocida por todos, lo que fueron los campos de concentración y las barbaridades que sucedian.
Una historia que recomiendo si te gusta la tematica, hay libros mucho mas duros pero creo que es una buena historia, muy bien escrita y que se lee en un momento por la pluma tan agil de la autora.
September 30, 2023
I found this book VERY compelling with well developed characters and a 'tender' story line. I found it on Kindle Unlimited and it was accompanied by an Audible version which was remarkably well done.
The characters made the story.
Harriet: In 2017, Englishwoman Harriet, a recent business graduate, is in Paris. She works as an intern for a fashion PR agency,
Simone: her roommate in Paris.
The photograph: Shows 3 beautiful women as they existed during WWII. There is Claire, Harriet's grandmother. The second, Mirielle (pronounced Miray) is revealed as Simone's grandmother, and the third is Vivienne, (aka Vivi), their friend. The three of them work as dressmakers in the very same building that is now occupied by the fashion PR agency Harriet works at.
Harriet knows little of her grandmother. Also, sadly, Harriet's mother Felicity is dead, dying by her own hand. Through stories from Simone, Harriet pieces together the three women’s lives: how they’d lived through the Nazi occupation, dealt with attentions from the German officers, worked for the French Resistance, and suffered in concentration camps.
Other characters:
Ernst: Claire's German boyfriend
Monsieur Leroux: friend of Vivienne and member of the Resistance
A very well written review of this book can be found on
https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re....
I borrowed many of the descriptions shared above from it.
Highly recommend
5 stars
The characters made the story.
Harriet: In 2017, Englishwoman Harriet, a recent business graduate, is in Paris. She works as an intern for a fashion PR agency,
Simone: her roommate in Paris.
The photograph: Shows 3 beautiful women as they existed during WWII. There is Claire, Harriet's grandmother. The second, Mirielle (pronounced Miray) is revealed as Simone's grandmother, and the third is Vivienne, (aka Vivi), their friend. The three of them work as dressmakers in the very same building that is now occupied by the fashion PR agency Harriet works at.
Harriet knows little of her grandmother. Also, sadly, Harriet's mother Felicity is dead, dying by her own hand. Through stories from Simone, Harriet pieces together the three women’s lives: how they’d lived through the Nazi occupation, dealt with attentions from the German officers, worked for the French Resistance, and suffered in concentration camps.
Other characters:
Ernst: Claire's German boyfriend
Monsieur Leroux: friend of Vivienne and member of the Resistance
A very well written review of this book can be found on
https://historicalnovelsociety.org/re....
I borrowed many of the descriptions shared above from it.
Highly recommend
5 stars
November 23, 2019
This was an incredible story filled with hardship, strength, friendship, and courage. This book tells the story of women who lived through World War Two in Paris and prison of war camps. The treatment of prisoners is inhuman and cruel, but the strength from knowing you’re not alone and fighting for survival together is so powerful. This novel unravels a family history and brings together the generations of families, friendships, and sisterhood. It relays a powerful story of using loss, fear, and sadness to find the strength to live and love wholeheartedly.
January 30, 2021
*4.5 stars*
A beautiful story filled with friendship, courage & ordinary young women doing extraordinary things.
Set in nazi-occupied Paris during WWII, The Dressmaker’s Gift focuses on the lives of three seamstresses and their efforts to fight back in their own way during the war. I instantly fell in love with all of the characters and felt like I could truly feel their pain and hardships. The novel follows the typical historical fiction outline in that there is both the present & past storyline unraveling and unfortunately, as is usually the case for me, I found myself trying to quickly read the present day storyline so that I could get back to the past. The present day characters & story are never quite as gripping and they often take a little bit of the enjoyment away from the book for me.
Despite this, the author was able to weave the past & present storylines so seamlessly, and the intertwining characters & families was so lovely to witness!
Overall, this was a gripping & emotional read, and if you are a fan of historical fiction, you will certainly love this one!
A beautiful story filled with friendship, courage & ordinary young women doing extraordinary things.
Set in nazi-occupied Paris during WWII, The Dressmaker’s Gift focuses on the lives of three seamstresses and their efforts to fight back in their own way during the war. I instantly fell in love with all of the characters and felt like I could truly feel their pain and hardships. The novel follows the typical historical fiction outline in that there is both the present & past storyline unraveling and unfortunately, as is usually the case for me, I found myself trying to quickly read the present day storyline so that I could get back to the past. The present day characters & story are never quite as gripping and they often take a little bit of the enjoyment away from the book for me.
Despite this, the author was able to weave the past & present storylines so seamlessly, and the intertwining characters & families was so lovely to witness!
Overall, this was a gripping & emotional read, and if you are a fan of historical fiction, you will certainly love this one!
November 26, 2019
A good enough read. It started out slow but picks up. The Harriet character was annoying and her chapters were hard to get through. Overall an interesting story worth a read once.
October 21, 2020
Three seamstresses are working in a couture dress shop in occupied Paris in 1940. Mireille has secrets that she cannot divulge. Claire is swept off her feet by a German officer and Vivienne has many things that must remain hidden. For a while, these young women do not know how much they can trust each other. They work in the heat and in the freezing cold. I could imagine cold stiff fingers trying to hand stitch a hem.
In 2017, Harriet, a young fashion enthusiast is hoping to find some answers to questions about her grandmother's past. She is thrilled when she gets hired in promotions and learns that she will be working at the same location where the seamstresses worked in a different era.
The story bounces back and forth in time. I preferred reading about the bravery of the women in the Resistance over the modern story of Harriet. I am always astounded by how courageous women were during this time when getting caught passing a note to someone could mean imprisonment or possibly even death! I like how the novel showed how difficult it was to trust people during those times.
As always, the scenes in the concentration camp are so hard for me to take. They seemed so real and even painful. I could almost feel cold and hunger as two of the main characters in the novel struggle to survive.
There were perhaps a few too many coincidences, but I still enjoyed reading them. One thing I really liked were the trips to to fashion museum and looking at clothing as part of history. As someone who used to sew some of my own clothes, I could appreciate that. I remember attending an exhibit of the costumes used in Downton Abbey and admiring the details. As another example of this feeling, when I look at my wedding dress made by my stepmother and her sister, it is not only special to me, but it also represents a style and fabrics of that time.
I thought that Harriet tried to find too many answers about her grandmother and her mother. I am not sure about trauma affecting genes passed down to the next generation. I do plan on reading more about that.
I wanted to add a bit to this review. This was the selection of the real-life book club I facilitate. I have to say that most of the women rated this one highly. Two gave it 5 stars. Most gave it 4.5 stars. I suppose the best compliment of this novel came from a member who said that Harriet's story and the story that takes place during WWII were stitched together as seamlessly as the beautiful blue gown which was featured in the novel.
All in all a good historical fiction novel.
4.5 stars!
In 2017, Harriet, a young fashion enthusiast is hoping to find some answers to questions about her grandmother's past. She is thrilled when she gets hired in promotions and learns that she will be working at the same location where the seamstresses worked in a different era.
The story bounces back and forth in time. I preferred reading about the bravery of the women in the Resistance over the modern story of Harriet. I am always astounded by how courageous women were during this time when getting caught passing a note to someone could mean imprisonment or possibly even death! I like how the novel showed how difficult it was to trust people during those times.
As always, the scenes in the concentration camp are so hard for me to take. They seemed so real and even painful. I could almost feel cold and hunger as two of the main characters in the novel struggle to survive.
There were perhaps a few too many coincidences, but I still enjoyed reading them. One thing I really liked were the trips to to fashion museum and looking at clothing as part of history. As someone who used to sew some of my own clothes, I could appreciate that. I remember attending an exhibit of the costumes used in Downton Abbey and admiring the details. As another example of this feeling, when I look at my wedding dress made by my stepmother and her sister, it is not only special to me, but it also represents a style and fabrics of that time.
I thought that Harriet tried to find too many answers about her grandmother and her mother. I am not sure about trauma affecting genes passed down to the next generation. I do plan on reading more about that.
I wanted to add a bit to this review. This was the selection of the real-life book club I facilitate. I have to say that most of the women rated this one highly. Two gave it 5 stars. Most gave it 4.5 stars. I suppose the best compliment of this novel came from a member who said that Harriet's story and the story that takes place during WWII were stitched together as seamlessly as the beautiful blue gown which was featured in the novel.
All in all a good historical fiction novel.
4.5 stars!
September 14, 2019
What an amazing book this turned out to be. So sympathetically written, the story slipped seamlessly between present and past intertwining the lives of people and creating a picture of death and sorrow mingled with Joy and happiness. This story is so convincing it could almost be real. My favourite kind of book set during the war years, it is a must read and if I was able I would award 10*
October 19, 2019
Yet another dual timeline story that falls short in the history department. This book didn't have much going on and nothing really happens until about half way through. The 3 girls are supposed to be spies during WWII but they are the most boring spies ever until they are caught. By then, you really don't care much about them as there is not a lot of emotional depth to this book. There isn't enough history for my taste. The only real history comes when two of the girls is sent to a work camp and even that story line is nothing new.
The current time line had more emotion but it was more about wallowing in self pity. I absolutely hate stories where the woman is supposed to be strong, independent, take charge and then she suddenly goes weak and makes a really stupid, life changing decision based on emotion so the author can have a change in the plot. As a very strong, independent, take charge woman myself, this just does not resonate with me in any way.
This will appeal to the "history-lite" crowd but not to those who want depth and historical details.
The current time line had more emotion but it was more about wallowing in self pity. I absolutely hate stories where the woman is supposed to be strong, independent, take charge and then she suddenly goes weak and makes a really stupid, life changing decision based on emotion so the author can have a change in the plot. As a very strong, independent, take charge woman myself, this just does not resonate with me in any way.
This will appeal to the "history-lite" crowd but not to those who want depth and historical details.
July 17, 2024
This was a historical fiction book set during WW2 in France. There was a MC who was in current time trying to find out about her grandmother. Her grandmother was one of 3 young women living in France during WW2. I found the background about fashion and dressmaking very interesting. The portion of the book describing the heinous war crimes was graphic and heartbreaking. This was the first book I have read by this author and I will checking out her other books.
August 4, 2022
4+ ⭐️
This was another great book during the WWII era, but what I loved about it besides it’s 3 MC was this took place in Paris. One of my favorite books was Sarah’s Key by Tatianna deRosnay. In 2015 I was able to see quite a few of the arrondesements, addresses and buildings that are mentioned in this book. I also was able to visit the memorial to the French people and THE VÉLODROME D'HIVER (VÉL D'HIV) where the French people were rounded up for deportation. I’ve changed my photo to the memorial for a bit. Another different perspective of the war.
This was another great book during the WWII era, but what I loved about it besides it’s 3 MC was this took place in Paris. One of my favorite books was Sarah’s Key by Tatianna deRosnay. In 2015 I was able to see quite a few of the arrondesements, addresses and buildings that are mentioned in this book. I also was able to visit the memorial to the French people and THE VÉLODROME D'HIVER (VÉL D'HIV) where the French people were rounded up for deportation. I’ve changed my photo to the memorial for a bit. Another different perspective of the war.
February 5, 2021
On paper (pun intended) I should have loved this book. We have:
-Paris
-Couture fashion houses in Paris
-WW2
-General spying
Unfortunately, we also have:
-A style that got strangely formal at times - the word "whilst" was used A LOT. The formality made it feel kind of detached and hard to get into for me.
-Awkward sentence structures that meandered, stretched too long, and/or got weird with the commas.
-Multiple cases of insta-love. Legit - someone declared their love after one day. ONE DAY.
-Touches of romance, action, generational trauma, torture, fashion, and more - but each of those aspects felt like they were glossed over, and didn't get the justice they deserved. It would have been an awesome spy/action novel, or the trauma aspect could have been fascinating, but it couldn't decide what kind of book it wanted to be. It was like getting samples from an average buffet instead of one really delicious entree.
-Several words that were repeated regularly. In the early chapters, "fashion" was on every page multiple times with no synonyms. In another spot, it was "revelers."
-Odd pacing that jumped over significant events and just referenced them in passing later on. This also meant that I missed a lot of the tension that would have helped me feel invested in the characters. And did I mention that the beginning was slooooooow?
-Very little talk of actual fashion/clothing. For someone who came to Paris to work at a fashion PR firm, Harriet never notices much of what people are wearing. Actually, we don't hear much about her job at all - which is a shame, because it would have been really interesting.
-Too many coincidences. Basically, Harriet goes to Paris for an internship and ends up living in her (dead) grandmother's former apartment. It turns out, her grandmother's best friend had a granddaughter about the same age ... and now they're roommates! There are more, but that one was the kickoff.
-A structure that didn't work for me. The chapters that alternate between the modern day storyline and the grandparents in the 1940s. Supposedly, the roommate is telling the grandparents' story, but that was only mentioned once or twice, and she couldn't possibly have all the information that she's sharing from other people's points of view.
-Friendships that I don't buy.
-Harriet's emotions. I know everyone handles hard things differently, but the way she swung from one side of the pendulum to the other didn't seem realistic to me. She was also very matter-of-fact about it, which didn't feel quite genuine.
-Lack of helpful descriptions. I could not tell you what one single person looks like from this book. I know Claire was blond, and Mereille had curly hair, and that is IT. I can't describe their sewing room, how their apartment was laid out, or the concentration camps, or what the streets of Paris actually looked like under Nazi occupation.
I wanted to love this. The average Goodreads rating suggests that I should. But it just wasn't for me.
-Paris
-Couture fashion houses in Paris
-WW2
-General spying
Unfortunately, we also have:
-A style that got strangely formal at times - the word "whilst" was used A LOT. The formality made it feel kind of detached and hard to get into for me.
-Awkward sentence structures that meandered, stretched too long, and/or got weird with the commas.
-Multiple cases of insta-love. Legit - someone declared their love after one day. ONE DAY.
-Touches of romance, action, generational trauma, torture, fashion, and more - but each of those aspects felt like they were glossed over, and didn't get the justice they deserved. It would have been an awesome spy/action novel, or the trauma aspect could have been fascinating, but it couldn't decide what kind of book it wanted to be. It was like getting samples from an average buffet instead of one really delicious entree.
-Several words that were repeated regularly. In the early chapters, "fashion" was on every page multiple times with no synonyms. In another spot, it was "revelers."
-Odd pacing that jumped over significant events and just referenced them in passing later on. This also meant that I missed a lot of the tension that would have helped me feel invested in the characters. And did I mention that the beginning was slooooooow?
-Very little talk of actual fashion/clothing. For someone who came to Paris to work at a fashion PR firm, Harriet never notices much of what people are wearing. Actually, we don't hear much about her job at all - which is a shame, because it would have been really interesting.
-Too many coincidences. Basically, Harriet goes to Paris for an internship and ends up living in her (dead) grandmother's former apartment. It turns out, her grandmother's best friend had a granddaughter about the same age ... and now they're roommates! There are more, but that one was the kickoff.
-A structure that didn't work for me. The chapters that alternate between the modern day storyline and the grandparents in the 1940s. Supposedly, the roommate is telling the grandparents' story, but that was only mentioned once or twice, and she couldn't possibly have all the information that she's sharing from other people's points of view.
-Friendships that I don't buy.
-Harriet's emotions. I know everyone handles hard things differently, but the way she swung from one side of the pendulum to the other didn't seem realistic to me. She was also very matter-of-fact about it, which didn't feel quite genuine.
-Lack of helpful descriptions. I could not tell you what one single person looks like from this book. I know Claire was blond, and Mereille had curly hair, and that is IT. I can't describe their sewing room, how their apartment was laid out, or the concentration camps, or what the streets of Paris actually looked like under Nazi occupation.
I wanted to love this. The average Goodreads rating suggests that I should. But it just wasn't for me.
January 5, 2022
This is Historical Fiction which also included a modern day time line. This was just okay for me. I see all the rave reviews and tbh I'm not seeing it. I liked the story. The idea of searching for info on ancestors always pulls me in. I love genealogy, but this book didn't do that for me.....I wasn't yanked in and held hostage.
I think the writing is what kept me at a distance. The descriptions were excessively wordy. It was padded with the kind of detail that offered no impact. I always knew what the MCs were wearing and what they were doing, but I wanted more WHY. Overall, this one wasn't for me.....so 2 stars.
I think the writing is what kept me at a distance. The descriptions were excessively wordy. It was padded with the kind of detail that offered no impact. I always knew what the MCs were wearing and what they were doing, but I wanted more WHY. Overall, this one wasn't for me.....so 2 stars.
February 12, 2020
I have struggled to finish off this book for months, seeing it in my list of books on my kindle and trying to engage with the story. It was one of those Amazon First Read selections back in September of 2019. I never do well with those choices. There are so many good books covering WWII challenges in Paris, and I can't say that this is one of those. For me it was too sentimental/emotional.
I own this, but it is now available as Kindle Unlimited if you want a feminine take couched in family secrets being uncovered in modern day.
I own this, but it is now available as Kindle Unlimited if you want a feminine take couched in family secrets being uncovered in modern day.
February 25, 2023
Un roman frumos scris, despre prietenie și curaj.
Este a treia carte a autoarei pe care o citesc, dar cea care mi-a plăcut cel mai mult, fiindcă este povestea a trei femei care au luptat in rezistența franceza în cel de-al doilea RM.
Povestea se desfășoară pe două planuri: trecut-prezent. În prezent, Harriet ajunge la Paris pentru a-și căuta locul în viață și totodata pentru a afla mai multe despre bunica sa franțuzoaică. Astfel ne teleportăm în trecut și aflăm povestea lui Claire și a prietenelor sale Mireille și Vivienne.
O lectură ușoară și plăcută, am terminat-o în câteva ore.
Este a treia carte a autoarei pe care o citesc, dar cea care mi-a plăcut cel mai mult, fiindcă este povestea a trei femei care au luptat in rezistența franceza în cel de-al doilea RM.
Povestea se desfășoară pe două planuri: trecut-prezent. În prezent, Harriet ajunge la Paris pentru a-și căuta locul în viață și totodata pentru a afla mai multe despre bunica sa franțuzoaică. Astfel ne teleportăm în trecut și aflăm povestea lui Claire și a prietenelor sale Mireille și Vivienne.
O lectură ușoară și plăcută, am terminat-o în câteva ore.
April 29, 2024
Genre: historical fiction
Trigger Warnings: violence, death, (mention of) torture
Tropes: WW2, found family, the Resistance
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
It's catchy and easy to read. I like the present and past narratives being combined and how everything turns out to be connected in the end. The characters are easy to love, though the narrative from the present was kind of boring and I never really clicked with Harriet.
The past narrative, with the three girls, was really nice. I loved to see how little acts of rebellion actually meant soo much and how kindness, love, friendship and hope can appear even in the most horrific moments.
I loved all the mentions about fashion - and they were plenty.
Trigger Warnings: violence, death, (mention of) torture
Tropes: WW2, found family, the Resistance
Rating: 3.5 ⭐
It's catchy and easy to read. I like the present and past narratives being combined and how everything turns out to be connected in the end. The characters are easy to love, though the narrative from the present was kind of boring and I never really clicked with Harriet.
The past narrative, with the three girls, was really nice. I loved to see how little acts of rebellion actually meant soo much and how kindness, love, friendship and hope can appear even in the most horrific moments.
I loved all the mentions about fashion - and they were plenty.
June 24, 2021
This is an engaging and emotional read about three young women who become involved in the French resistance movement during the war years. The author creates believable characters with individual personalities who react to the challenging situations in different ways, but they always support each other through the difficulties they face, forming an unbreakable bond.
Although this is a tale of fiction, there are many real-life scenarios described in detail, but this doesn’t distract the reader from the more personal story of the girls’ struggles for a better life and a hopeful future.
I have read several of this author’s books and I am happy to recommend them all.
Although this is a tale of fiction, there are many real-life scenarios described in detail, but this doesn’t distract the reader from the more personal story of the girls’ struggles for a better life and a hopeful future.
I have read several of this author’s books and I am happy to recommend them all.
January 20, 2020
Paris, 1940. With the city occupied by the Nazis, three young seamstresses go about their normal lives as best they can. But all three are hiding secrets. War-scarred Mireille is fighting with the Resistance; Claire has been seduced by a German officer; and Vivienne’s involvement is something she can’t reveal to either of them.
Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find a connection with her past. Living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined.
In wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices when their secret activities put them in grave danger. Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart?
This book is written in a mixture of 1st person (Harriet's bits) and third person (the war bits). The chapters alternate between Harriet in present day Paris and her grandmother's story. The chapters are quite short, ranging from 6-20 minutes per chapter. The book isn't explicit in detail, though of course harrowing things, such as war, death, mass murder, torture etc are mentioned throughout the book, as you would expect from a world war 2 book. But i think the author found the perfect balance in explaining what was happening or had happened, without going into horrific detail.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a beautiful story. I enjoyed the characters, Harriet who was so lost. Her grandmother Claire and her friends Mireille & Vivi who were so brave and so determined to defy the Nazi's. I liked that each woman had different reasons for that determination and deficance, it made the story more realistic for me. I also loved that they were seamstresses, they were ordinary young women doing extraordinary things. I think, as the years pass that we forget just how much the ordinary people helped fight and win the war and it was wonderful reading about them and just what they did to help the war effort.
I liked Harriet's story as well, I liked getting to know her and seeing her character grow and embrace her past. I don't want to give too much away, so I won't say anything else, but this book was great.
Two generations later, Claire’s English granddaughter Harriet arrives in Paris, rootless and adrift, desperate to find a connection with her past. Living and working in the same building on the Rue Cardinale, she learns the truth about her grandmother – and herself – and unravels a family history that is darker and more painful than she ever imagined.
In wartime, the three seamstresses face impossible choices when their secret activities put them in grave danger. Brought together by loyalty, threatened by betrayal, can they survive history’s darkest era without being torn apart?
This book is written in a mixture of 1st person (Harriet's bits) and third person (the war bits). The chapters alternate between Harriet in present day Paris and her grandmother's story. The chapters are quite short, ranging from 6-20 minutes per chapter. The book isn't explicit in detail, though of course harrowing things, such as war, death, mass murder, torture etc are mentioned throughout the book, as you would expect from a world war 2 book. But i think the author found the perfect balance in explaining what was happening or had happened, without going into horrific detail.
I really enjoyed this book, it was a beautiful story. I enjoyed the characters, Harriet who was so lost. Her grandmother Claire and her friends Mireille & Vivi who were so brave and so determined to defy the Nazi's. I liked that each woman had different reasons for that determination and deficance, it made the story more realistic for me. I also loved that they were seamstresses, they were ordinary young women doing extraordinary things. I think, as the years pass that we forget just how much the ordinary people helped fight and win the war and it was wonderful reading about them and just what they did to help the war effort.
I liked Harriet's story as well, I liked getting to know her and seeing her character grow and embrace her past. I don't want to give too much away, so I won't say anything else, but this book was great.
October 9, 2020
Un roman frumos scris despre prietenie si puterea de a merge mai departe pe fondul celui de-al Doilea Razboi Mondial. Mi-a placut mult felul in care a fost descris Parisul, chiar daca si-a pierdut stralucirea. De asemenea, personajele au fost bine construite si m-am atasat de cele trei croitorese curajoase care au luptat in Rezistenta. Nu se numara printre favorite, pentru ca mi se pare ca nu a fost suficient de complex si bine documentat, dar m-a sensibilizat, ca majoritatea operelor de fictiune istorica ce trateaza acea perioada ingrozitoare din istoria umanitatii.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 4,839 reviews