Chateau Laux: A Story of Colonial America

by David Loux

Chateau Laux is a novel based on a shocking event in the lives of a first-generation family in the American colonies. Lawrence Kraymer is a young entrepreneur from Philadelphia who takes a hunting trip up along the Delaware, and in the process, stumbles on Pierre Laux, a French aristocrat living on the edge of what was then a vast wilderness. Intoxicated with this exotic family, Lawrence pursues an engagement with one of Pierre's daughters, and builds her a ch�teau in a misguided attempt to prove himself worthy. In so doing, he sets in motion a sequence of events that has tragic consequences in this literary treatment of an actual historical incident.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

David Loux is a short story writer, who has published under pseudonym in Ploughshares, Manzanita and other literary journals. At the age of twenty-two, he ghostwrote a reminiscence of the Holocaust, which haunts him to this day. The critically acclaimed, award-winning historical fiction, Chateau Laux, was his first novel, and the first book published under his own name. His second book, The Lost Seigneur, expands on the historical themes detailed in Chateau Laux and completes the story of a French family's migration to America in the eighteenth century. David lives in the Mt Rose area of the eastern Sierra with his wife, Lynn.

Reviews

[Brittany W1114 · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5-4 stars

“Finding something and losing it too soon was much worse than never having had it in the first place....”

“If the same star could be viewed by two different people, or by the same person in two different places, under entirely different circumstances, was it indeed the same star after all?”

David Loux’s novel builds alongside Lawrence’s chateau to create a sometimes-charming and often-suspenseful narrative dealing with themes of religion, familial relationships, love, marriage, lust, the past’s influence on the present, home, war, and growing up. This novel starts with the charismatic Lawrence falling in love with Catharine and building a French-style chateau for them to live happily in. The novel takes multiple unexpected and tragic turns; the reader never knows what to expect next. For someone who is not typically a fan of historical fiction, I could not stop reading this novel. Truly a treat.

(Thanks to Net Galley for the copy)

[D.K. Marley · Rating 5 out of 5]

“That’s the way it is, you know – human nature – to keep our secrets until we are forced to expose them.”

Inspired by a shocking incident in eighteenth century America, Château Laux is the story of Lawrence Kraymer, a young entrepreneur from a youthful Philadelphia, who chances upon a French aristocrat and his family living on the edge of the frontier.

Born to an unwed mother and raised by a disapproving and judgmental grandfather, Lawrence is drawn to the close-knit family. As part of his courtship of one of the patriarch's daughters, he builds a château, igniting memories of a past that should have been left alone and setting in motion a course of devastating events he could not have anticipated.

So many good things have been said about this novel and even more needs to be said. This is a classic in the making, the birth of the Great American Novel, with writing comparable to literary greats such as Steinbeck’s “East of Eden” or Frazier’s “Cold Mountain”. Elegance to the highest degree – a full-on work of literature surrounded with the most exquisite historical backdrop, full of the rich details and care you expect of a masterpiece. David Loux deserves a standing ovation, and this is a book I will not forget for a very, very long time.

Set in the wilds of pre-revolutionary war Pennsylvania, you are given a vision of Old World meets New World through the eyes of Lawrence Kraymer, and his ambitious quest to bring to the landscape something from the past. Lawrence has made his fortune from a successful Philadelphia brewery he inherited from his grandfather, and after going on a hunting trip with his Indian companion, John, to escape some of his memories, he stumbles upon a quaint French family on his way home. Something about the farm draws him, perhaps the closeness, the loyalty, the love of this family, something he did not have in his past, and he stays on and helps out around the farm. This one decision change everyone’s life.

“For a moment, he felt a little adrift, wondering if anyone ever knew where they were headed. We just get shuffled one way or another, as the container of life that holds us shifts, until one day we find ourselves on a darkening porch on a farm in Penn’s colony, with cicadas buzzing in the trees and frogs chorusing in the meadow, and squabbling children in the yard.”

After some time passes, he falls in love with the oldest daughter, Catharine, and from there you are taken on a journey through these people’s lives that unfolds in the most dramatic and riveting story imaginable. Pierre Laux, the father, is a French aristocrat whose story unfurls and reveals secrets of fleeing to America to start a new life on his own, the persecution his family suffered in Southern France as a Protestant, and his desire to just live his life in this new country in peace. However, the appearance of Lawrence changes so much about the idyllic life Pierre wished for. After Catharine suffers a near tragedy, Lawrence’s ambitious mind pushes to the limit and he imagines building a vast château for her in the wilds of rural Pennsylvania. With each stone cut from the quarry, and each stone stacked, this story builds and builds with utter poetic perfection.

“That is when he knew he had a soul, when he thought of this woman he was finally ready to marry. That was when he thought that love was too big for a man to hold all by himself and that there must be a God to help with the carrying.”

You simply cannot put this book down until you reach the last word. This is a novel of love and hate, joy and heartbreak, of blood relations and those who become your family, of ancient roots and new seeds of hope, of timeless happiness and the sheering pain of grief. Lawrence never knew the security of having a family, as we are given a glimpse into his childhood, a life of beatings by his grandfather and a mother who was dead. After seeing the complete opposite in the Laux family – the obvious love and affection shared between each and every member, starting with the simple act of Pierre telling his youngest daughter a story while she sat upon his knee, moves Lawrence in a way he had never experienced.

And yet, while seeming idyllic, the introduction of Lawrence into the family seems to spark something in each of the children – dreams of their own which sometimes differ from what Pierre had in mind. Lawrence’s ambition bolsters their ambitions, and like a billowing cloud each of their stories build, and each mingle with the other in a seamless web of connectivity. The boys, Andrew, Jean, and Georgie, each find their own path – Andrew becomes Lawrence’s assistant on the build, and comes into his own as an incredible entrepreneurial businessman; Jean discovers a strength in himself, even overcoming great fear during an Indian raid, as well as survival skills and what it means to save a life on two profound occasions. The delving into Jean’s story in the book is another example of David Loux’s skill as a writer to weave this necessary tangent into the web. Georgie's innocence is a thread all the way to the end when you, as the reader, are introduced to how the harshness of this new country can suddenly transform a child into an adult, sometimes in the most brutal way.

“If the same star could be viewed by two different people, or by the same person in two different places, under entirely different circumstances, was it indeed the same star after all?”

After learning about the family’s aristocratic heritage, Lawrence sets to work on this grand château for his bride, thinking to re-establish something they lost in the Old Country. Yet, while the building helps Lawrence escape his past and build his future, for Pierre the house brings up painful memories of an unhappy childhood, of his dying mother who committed her very life to her religious beliefs, leaving him alone and suffering immeasurable grief at a very young age. Pierre’s own story is another avenue of perfection in pros; instead of feeling like a tangent or off-shoot from the main storyline, it feels like the mortar between the stones, as well as the sense that this new château's destiny is linked with what happened to Pierre’s home in the past. Yes, often times history repeats itself, but with every stone placed, hope rises. That being said, the underlying fear remains as you wonder if Lawrence will complete the château, if all will be well, if the future is bright for this young couple starting out their life in this new country. As in real life, the twists and turns wreak havoc on all of them.

You imagine this building, this château, as something sound and stable, built with the finest quarried stone – what can topple this sort of structure? As sure as Pierre is of his sound and stable family, the building of his life – what can topple it?

David Loux is a master at delivering the fragility of life within a single eloquent book. It has been a long time since a book has made me gush tears. This one did. Mr Loux understands grief in a way that connected with me profoundly – the stages you go through, the denial, the depression, the crushing pain, how you come to realize the incredible support from true friends, AND how a new day brings new hope in the most unexpected ways. This book is, indeed, a masterpiece and deserves a place in history right next to all of the brilliant classic novels throughout time. Château Laux is a timeless, entrancing, compelling, and elegant work of art.

Château Laux receives five-stars and a “Highly Recommended” award from The Historical Fiction Company!!

[Mark Zvonkovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful piece of storytelling set in colonial times that will forever touch a reader’s heart and soul.

Colonial Pennsylvania, 1710 - 1715, Lawrence, a parentless young man who had been frequently demeaned by his grandfather, was rewarded by an inheritance of a prosperous brewery in Philadelphia. He hired a Native American guide to take him hunting in the wild, beyond the small farms and homesteads just on the fringes of the civilized world. When the guide decided to travel deeper into the wild lands, on his way north to the New York colonies, Lawrence remained behind to hunt alone, and during three solitary days he discovered the parts of himself not injured by his grandfather’s abuse. The imagery of this event in the novel is beautiful. “The wilderness didn’t judge. In aloneness, he found peace–if only for the moment–and his veins filled with a rushing motion, like the waters of a cold mountain stream.” On his way back to civilization, Lawrence became lost and a storm made him seek shelter at an isolated farm, just on the edge of the wild. The farmer, Pierre, and his family took him in. Pierre, older than Lawrence, old enough to be his father, had come to the colonies from France, carrying with him his own scars of family abandonment, which, like Lawrence, he wanted to leave behind. From here the story unwinds, narrated in alternating sections by Lawrence, Pierre, Pierre’s daughter, Catharine, Pierre’s son, Jean, and several smaller characters when warranted by the story’s twists and turns.

The writing in Chateau Laux is excellent, but what is most remarkable is the storytelling. The pacing in which the story is unfolded and the characters are revealed puts the reader in a comfortable chair, sitting in front of a roaring fire, mesmerized by the words in the narrative, and hoping that the storyteller will continue, without interruption, until the novel’s end. There are back stories, carefully placed, that bring the narrators to life and, in several instances, serve as portents of tragedy to come. Imagery is often employed to build the carefully constructed plot. An example is an observation made, upon Jean’s returning home to learn a dog had bitten Catharine, that “Ever quiet as it slipped into late afternoon, the day had the eerie apprehension of one thing ending and another not yet begun.” Pierre’s backstory is carefully layered into present events, and supports how important moments in the story are presented, like the arrival of Lawrence, Jean’s joining a militia, and a tragic fire. In Pierre’s past he mourned the loss of his mother, “putting her to rest while the drunken soldiers slept, placing her so deep she would never be disturbed.” He cannot forget how his father rode away to petition the king and then failed to return, or how he was shown kindness during his tenure in the tailor shop after arriving in Philadelphia. The mixing of the past and the present gives an emotional depth to the story it would not otherwise have. Pierre kept the history of his family in France close, the reader hears much of it in interior monologue, until the night before Jean left with the militia, when he told Jean about his ancestor Iñigo. This lays the groundwork for what is to come. He advised his son, “No matter the circumstance, remember that you are not an island of fear and despair.” Although delivered by Pierre as fatherly advice, this proves to be a powerful observation in the story made true by the struggles of all of the narrators. And for Pierre, the backstory of his life in France came together with his present life after the McDonall incident, when he made the self-observation that, “He had a family that needed his guidance, in spite of his shortcomings, and his father had come through for him, after all, these many years later, a whisper from the past, the voice of reason.” Lawrence did not have the good fortune of a father like Pierre’s. But Pierre in the end took on that role for Lawrence in a brilliant conclusion when he granted the Chateau, and in a symbolic manner, Lawrence, use of his name.

The character development in Chateau Laux makes the novel great. So many modern novels have poorly crafted characters, who are no more than skeletons, placeholders for cheap twists of plot and, sadly, social commentary. Chateau Laux is art, the best of creative writing, a lighthouse among dim lights. A reader will feel Pierre and Lawrence, and the rest of the narrators, in his or her heart and soul. They become real people in a real story, and the moral a reader can take away is, as it should be, a moral composed by the reader, and not dictated by the author. It is a miracle of sorts, that the world is given such a beautiful work by David Loux, an event not unlike the birth of twin foals.

Mark Zvonkovic is the author of A Lion in the Grass and The Narrows.

[Mark Zvonkovic · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful piece of storytelling set in colonial times that will forever touch a reader’s heart and soul.

Colonial Pennsylvania, 1710 - 1715, Lawrence, a parentless young man who had been frequently demeaned by his grandfather, was rewarded by an inheritance of a prosperous brewery in Philadelphia. He hired a Native American guide to take him hunting in the wild, beyond the small farms and homesteads just on the fringes of the civilized world. When the guide decided to travel deeper into the wild lands, on his way north to the New York colonies, Lawrence remained behind to hunt alone, and during three solitary days he discovered the parts of himself not injured by his grandfather’s abuse. The imagery of this event in the novel is beautiful. “The wilderness didn’t judge. In aloneness, he found peace–if only for the moment–and his veins filled with a rushing motion, like the waters of a cold mountain stream.” On his way back to civilization, Lawrence became lost and a storm made him seek shelter at an isolated farm, just on the edge of the wild. The farmer, Pierre, and his family took him in. Pierre, older than Lawrence, old enough to be his father, had come to the colonies from France, carrying with him his own scars of family abandonment, which, like Lawrence, he wanted to leave behind. From here the story unwinds, narrated in alternating sections by Lawrence, Pierre, Pierre’s daughter, Catharine, Pierre’s son, Jean, and several smaller characters when warranted by the story’s twists and turns.

The writing in Chateau Laux is excellent, but what is most remarkable is the storytelling. The pacing in which the story is unfolded and the characters are revealed puts the reader in a comfortable chair, sitting in front of a roaring fire, mesmerized by the words in the narrative, and hoping that the storyteller will continue, without interruption, until the novel’s end. There are back stories, carefully placed, that bring the narrators to life and, in several instances, serve as portents of tragedy to come. Imagery is often employed to build the carefully constructed plot. An example is an observation made, upon Jean’s returning home to learn a dog had bitten Catharine, that “Ever quiet as it slipped into late afternoon, the day had the eerie apprehension of one thing ending and another not yet begun.” Pierre’s backstory is carefully layered into present events, and supports how important moments in the story are presented, like the arrival of Lawrence, Jean’s joining a militia, and a tragic fire. In Pierre’s past he mourned the loss of his mother, “putting her to rest while the drunken soldiers slept, placing her so deep she would never be disturbed.” He cannot forget how his father rode away to petition the king and then failed to return, or how he was shown kindness during his tenure in the tailor shop after arriving in Philadelphia. The mixing of the past and the present gives an emotional depth to the story it would not otherwise have. Pierre kept the history of his family in France close, the reader hears much of it in interior monologue, until the night before Jean left with the militia, when he told Jean about his ancestor Iñigo. This lays the groundwork for what is to come. He advised his son, “No matter the circumstance, remember that you are not an island of fear and despair.” Although delivered by Pierre as fatherly advice, this proves to be a powerful observation in the story made true by the struggles of all of the narrators. And for Pierre, the backstory of his life in France came together with his present life after the McDonall incident, when he made the self-observation that, “He had a family that needed his guidance, in spite of his shortcomings, and his father had come through for him, after all, these many years later, a whisper from the past, the voice of reason.” Lawrence did not have the good fortune of a father like Pierre’s. But Pierre in the end took on that role for Lawrence in a brilliant conclusion when he granted the Chateau, and in a symbolic manner, Lawrence, use of his name.

The character development in Chateau Laux makes the novel great. So many modern novels have poorly crafted characters, who are no more than skeletons, placeholders for cheap twists of plot and, sadly, social commentary. Chateau Laux is art, the best of creative writing, a lighthouse among dim lights. A reader will feel Pierre and Lawrence, and the rest of the narrators, in his or her heart and soul. They become real people in a real story, and the moral a reader can take away is, as it should be, a moral composed by the reader, and not dictated by the author. It is a miracle of sorts, that the world is given such a beautiful work by David Loux, an event not unlike the birth of twin foals.

Mark Zvonkovic is the author of A Lion in the Grass and The Narrows. More information at www.markzvonkovic.com.

[Mary Yarde · Rating 5 out of 5]

“All by itself, a house—however grand—is only an empty space. It is the person who counts. A man is destined to fill his home to whatever fullness it represents. It takes a big man to fill a big house and an even bigger man to fill a château. Oui, monsieur, I think this is the answer that I have for you…”

Lawrence Kraymer’s life has not been one of ease and convenience, but one where no love was lost between him and the grandfather who raised him. While it was his grandfather who built up the brewery business that was passed to him, he treated Lawrence as if he were of no relation, or even of the same status, as himself—as if he were just a common servant or slave. With his past becoming too much to bear, Lawrence takes a break to go on a hunting trip, hiring the Indian, John, to accompany him, to escape the memories that haunt him.

When John heads in a different direction, Lawrence is left to fend for himself, eventually coming across an isolated farm and seeking refuge from the coming storm. The family let him stay, offering him the shelter of the barn, a bath and a warm meal, which is more than he expected and, unbeknownst to him, turns out to be the night that would change his life forever.

Chateau Laux by David Loux is a novel of joy, devotion and heartbreak, of how one family can spread its roots to reach so many places, with so much variation, and how this family could change so many lives.

The contrast between the life Lawrence grew up in and the life he stumbles upon when he asks Pierre Laux for shelter is evident. Lawrence is used to families not being close, to his grandfather beating him as a child and parents not wanting to get too close to their children. This was a time where it was not uncommon for children to never reach adulthood and losing one you loved so much would be far too much to bear. Better to wait, keep the love restrained and concealed until it became clear whether the child would survive. The Laux family, however, seems to be the exception, a family who deeply care for each other, and Lawrence’s shock when he sees Pierre allow his youngest daughter to sit upon his knee and request a story is clear—he can’t believe that such a family, such love among relations, can exist while he grew up with none of it. It is not surprising that he wants to spend more time with them, to become a part of their family and live the life he always wished he could have.

The Laux family, while seemingly very close at the beginning, grow with the story and as children grow up, they create their own ideals, begin to realise what they want to do with their lives, and that dream is not often the same dream that their parents have for them. Pierre has a house and a farm to run, but that doesn’t mean his children want to stay and help, or even to build the beginnings of their own farms. It is Lawrence’s presence that brings these realisations, for an outsider suggests that there is an outside world, things that they do not know and that they haven’t even thought to consider before. With Catharine, Pierre’s eldest daughter, so beautiful and right for Lawrence, willing to give him the love he so desperately desires and a wife to cherish, Lawrence calls upon Pierre’s heritage, as if his construction project will cement his place in the family, to build a house for his fiancee. A château, no less. With such a vast project, the Laux sons find their own ways to help, and despite their usefulness being restrained to odd jobs at first, it is these jobs that help lead them to their futures.

While Lawrence is trying to escape his past, building a château, far from anything he knows, for his fiancee to honour her family and the new lease of life that their acquaintance has brought him, such a building does the opposite for Pierre. The château rising from the ground drags up with it memories of another building, a manoir that had once served the same purpose as Lawrence’s château. To raise a family, provide safety for children to grow and learn. Yet, Pierre’s memories are not of a happy childhood, of a château that he could call home, but of soldiers, a dying mother and the deep pit of loneliness and grief that followed him away from the building as he ran for his life. Pierre’s backstory is written with excellence and presents the very foundations of the story, while giving off a terrible sense of foreboding. History is always bound to repeat itself, and whether such a home may bring equal amounts of anguish is a thought that rests uneasy as you read, hoping that Pierre’s instincts are wrong. However, death isn’t always accompanied by soldiers and while the thought that something might not be right is at the very back of your mind, it is still there, trying to show itself and give a warning before things are too late. Time is irreversible and it is the mistakes of the past that lay the path for the future of those left to live it.

Out of all of Pierre’s children, it is Jean that caught my interest the most. Before Lawrence arrived, he had seemed content with living his life the way his father did—working the land and tending the animals—even if it went against his nature. But Jean finally speaks up about his true aspirations. To fight for what he believed in, for his life to count for something that it couldn’t if he never left home. When opportunities present themselves to him, he jumps to take them and while it only takes a little courage and a lot of luck to do one good deed, the confidence that builds is not enough to carry that luck forward. Confidence is a cunning killer and taunts its victims in, showing them the path and stabbing them in the back as they move on. The forming of a militia may offer Jean the chance to prove himself, but when the real world presents itself with a fanfare of gunshots, Jean can either step up where greater men would fall, or stand down and let lesser men lead him to his demise. What made Jean’s story so believable, such a delight to read, is that he is not perfect. He makes mistakes and he can’t deal with everything. He is the youngest of the militia, a group of untrained, ill-prepared men who don’t know what they are getting themselves into and are not ready to deal with what is thrown at them. Jean must do things he doesn’t understand, lead men when he is not ready, and it takes a toll on him. Loux clearly has a wonderful understanding of human fragility and a novelist eye of how to present people in such a compelling, impressive narrative that it is next to impossible to put this book down.

The poetic turn of phrase and such elegance deserves recognition, for it is not just a novel that Loux has penned, but a masterpiece, a rose among thorns, a château among farmhouses. With such a keen sense of human life and emotion, Chateau Laux by David Loux brings to life a story that threatens to mesmerise with scenes of pure, unrestrained delight and scenes that will pull at your heartstrings and have you reaching for the tissues.

I Highly Recommend.

Review by Ellie Yarde.
The Coffee Pot Book Club.

[Liz Walker · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the story disjointed, with scenes that seemed to add nothing to the development of either storyline or character.

[thebookaddict25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a beautifully written and emotionally stirring tale set in colonial America, following the life of Lawrence Kraymer, a young brewer from early Philadelphia. His journey into the Pennsylvania wilderness introduces him to the Laux family—French aristocrats trying to forge a new life on the edge of the frontier. What begins as a hopeful love story quickly deepens into a powerful exploration of family, memory, and the lasting shadows of the past.

David Loux paints the 18th-century setting with vivid detail, making the reader feel the texture of life in early America—the struggles, the hopes, and the dangers. The characters are fully developed and believable, especially Lawrence, whose personal history of shame and longing drives much of the story. The author’s poetic style adds a rich, immersive quality to the narrative without ever feeling too heavy or complicated.

One of the most compelling aspects of the novel is how a simple romantic gesture—building a château—sets off a series of dramatic and unforeseen consequences. What seems like a symbol of love becomes the key to unlocking painful memories for the Laux family, leading to emotional and tragic events that no one could predict. This twist gives the novel a haunting quality that lingers long after the last page.

Overall, Chateau Laux is a thoughtful, layered story that blends history and fiction in a deeply human way. It’s easy to see why it has won so many awards. Whether you're a fan of historical fiction or just enjoy a moving story about love, loss, and the power of the past, this book is a memorable and rewarding read.

[Motivationaldailythoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Loux’s historical novel offers a captivating glimpse into life during colonial America. Set in early 1700s Pennsylvania, the story centers around Lawrence, a young man who inherits a prosperous business from his grandfather—an inheritance that plays a pivotal role in shaping his future. Despite the success he owes to his grandfather’s legacy, Lawrence yearns for a brief escape from the responsibilities and expectations that come with it. Seeking solitude and adventure, he embarks on a hunting expedition.

However, while returning from the trip alone, Lawrence finds himself at the doorstep of a farm owned by Pierre Laux. In need of rest, he is welcomed and given temporary shelter. It is here that the narrative takes a romantic turn: Lawrence meets Catharine, Pierre’s daughter, and is instantly smitten. Moved by his feelings, he makes the bold decision to build a chateau for her as a symbol of his affection. Pierre’s sons assist him in this endeavor, reflecting the family’s close-knit nature and strong sense of unity—something Lawrence greatly admires.

As the plot unfolds, the story takes on new layers of complexity, introducing tension that deepens the emotional stakes. The author handles these developments with a fluid and confident narrative style. Loux’s portrayal of the historical setting is immersive and thoughtfully crafted.

I happened to read this book on a rainy day, and the atmosphere outside beautifully mirrored the rich, moody setting within the pages.

[HL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title - Chateau Laux
Author - David Laux

Chateau Laux tells the compelling story of Lawrence Kraymer, a young entrepreneur shaped by a troubled childhood. Born to an unwed mother who died young, Lawrence was raised by his grandfather, carrying the weight of abandonment from an early age.

Everything changes when Lawrence crosses paths with the Laux family. He is instantly captivated by Catharine, the eldest daughter, and in a grand gesture of love, he builds a chateau for her. But this romantic act stirs up long-buried memories and unknowingly sets off a chain of tragic events that Lawrence could never have foreseen.

This was my first time reading a book by Loux, and I was immediately drawn to his richly detailed settings and storytelling. Chateau Laux is a beautifully crafted novel—emotionally resonant and atmospherically vivid. I was completely engrossed from beginning to end.

Blending romance, complex family relationships, and historical nuance, the story pulls you in and doesn’t let go. It's a must-read for fans of historical fiction, and I wholeheartedly recommend it.

[Jessica Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux is the first book I’ve read by author David Loux, and it left a lasting impression. The story follows Lawrence Kraymer, a merchant who inherits his grandfather’s brewery business. Troubled and seeking solitude, Lawrence retreats to the woods with his friend John. However, when John departs early, Lawrence decides to stay behind alone—only to realize he’s lost his way.

In search of shelter for the night, Lawrence stumbles upon the home of a kind man named Pierre. There, he meets Catharine and is instantly captivated by her beauty. In an effort to win her father’s approval, Lawrence builds the magnificent Chateau Laux. Curious about how life unfolds for Lawrence in the chateau he built? You’ll have to read the book to find out.

It was the book’s striking cover that first caught my attention, but it’s Loux’s writing that truly impressed me. His characters are thoughtfully crafted and linger in your memory. Their acts of kindness are a reminder of the goodness that exists—even toward strangers. I’m genuinely excited to explore more of David Loux’s work.

[gj indieBRAG · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are proud to announce that CHATEAU LAUX by David Loux is a B.R.A.G.Medallion Honoree. This tells readers that this book is well worth their time and money!

[booksforreaders25 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in the early 1700s, the story follows Lawrence Kraymer, a young man who endured a difficult childhood. After losing his mother to illness, he was taken in by his stern and judgmental grandfather. Life under his grandfather’s roof was far from easy—Lawrence was treated harshly and forced to work long hours. Yet, despite the hardships, Lawrence remains grateful for the opportunities and eventual fortune that came his way through his grandfather’s influence.

One rainy afternoon, Lawrence encounters the Laux family and is instantly drawn to their eldest daughter, Catharine. The evening he spent in their barn leaves an indelible mark on him. Even after moving to Philadelphia, Catharine lingers in his thoughts. Unable to forget her, Lawrence returns to her family's farm and asks her to be her suitor—and to his joy, Catharine accepts. To gain her father’s approval, Lawrence goes on to build the magnificent Chateau Laux.

But will Lawrence live happily-ever-after?
The plot is captivating, keeping me hooked from start to finish. The cover art is striking, and the storytelling flows seamlessly. The characters are richly developed, and Lawrence’s journey is especially memorable—his character will stay with me for a long time.

[_catherine_reads1 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux is the first book I’ve read by David Loux, and from the very first page, I was hooked by this rich work of historical fiction. At the heart of the story is Lawrence Kraymer, a young man who faced a difficult start in life—born to an unwed mother who died too soon. Taken in by his cold and demanding grandfather, Lawrence found shelter but little kindness. Despite the challenges, he eventually inherited his grandfather’s brewery business.

A chance encounter with the Loux family changes everything for Lawrence. He is captivated by the grace of Catharine, the eldest daughter, and deeply moved by the warmth and closeness of her family—something he had never truly experienced. As the story unfolds, we witness Lawrence’s sincere efforts to gain the approval of Catharine’s father and win her hand in marriage.

But as the magnificent Chateau Laux rises, does it awaken something dark and sinister?

The cover photo immediately drew me in, and the story that followed did not disappoint. The plot is gripping, the historical setting beautifully crafted—a perfect escape from the monotony of daily life. David Loux masterfully keeps the reader engaged right up to the final page.

[_sassy_39 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux by David Loux is a compelling tale set in a richly detailed historical backdrop. The story follows Lawrence Kraymer, who was raised by his grandfather after losing his mother to a coughing illness in childhood. Though he inherited much from his grandfather, Lawrence was often treated more like a servant than a grandson.

One day, he ventures into the woods and loses his way. Seeking shelter, he stumbles upon the Laux family farm—where he meets Catharine. Enchanted by her, Lawrence dreams of building a Chateau Laux, where they could live together after marriage. But will Catharine’s father accept him?

Fans of historical fiction will find this book an engaging read. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of it. The cover is visually appealing, and the title perfectly fits the story. The plot is full of unexpected twists and emotional turns. I highly recommend picking this one up—no second thoughts needed!

[Readersheaven1_ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux hits differently if you’ve ever felt the weight of family history. Lawrence’s story reminded me that no matter how far we try to run, our past—and our family’s past—has a way of catching up with us. He starts off trying to build a future, but ends up stumbling over old secrets he didn’t even know existed.

The relationship between Lawrence and the Laux family is the heart of the novel. Their warmth is what draws him in, but it’s also what breaks things apart when memories and buried truths resurface. I found myself wondering how often families hide pain behind smiles and traditions.

David Loux weaves this tale so naturally that you don’t realize how deep it goes until you’re already in it. The château becomes more than a building—it’s a symbol of hope, history, and regret all at once.

This book is a strong reminder that healing isn’t always about forgetting. Sometimes, it’s about facing the hard truths and finding peace anyway. It’s a powerful, human story, told with honesty and care.

[thereviewroom02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t usually read historical fiction, but Chateau Laux surprised me. It didn’t feel like a boring history lesson—it felt like I was watching someone’s real life unfold in front of me. Lawrence, the main guy, is just trying to figure things out, and I really liked that about him.

When he meets the Laux family, everything starts to shift. They’re warm and close, the opposite of how he grew up. You can feel how badly he wants to be a part of something good for once.

Building the château seemed romantic at first, but it ends up causing a lot of trouble. That twist really caught me off guard. It made me think that sometimes love can stir up stuff that people aren’t ready to face.

The writing was calm and smooth, like listening to someone tell you a story around a campfire. It wasn’t too heavy or filled with old-fashioned words, so I never felt lost.

I finished the book feeling like I knew these characters. If you’re into stories with heart, secrets, and people just trying to make sense of life, you’ll probably like this one too.

[bookhaven__ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux offers a fresh and gripping take on colonial America, one that moves beyond battles and politics to focus on people and personal histories. At its center is Lawrence Kraymer, a young man trying to define himself outside the shadow of a harsh upbringing. When he stumbles upon the Laux family, he sees in them the kind of warmth and belonging he’s always wanted.

The French aristocrat Pierre Laux and his family are fascinating in their own right—complex, private, and still carrying the emotional weight of the lives they left behind. As Lawrence grows closer to them, especially one of the daughters, the story takes a surprising turn. What began as a hopeful romance becomes entangled in secrets that change everything.

The historical detail is well-researched but never overwhelming. Instead of focusing on grand historical events, Loux chooses to highlight the quiet, everyday moments that shape people’s lives—family dinners, personal regrets, silent grief. These choices make the characters feel real and their struggles deeply relatable.

Ultimately, this is a story about memory—how it haunts, shapes, and even destroys. Chateau Laux is a quiet but powerful novel that reveals how even in the promise of a new land, people carry the weight of who they once were. It’s a beautiful and unsettling book that lingers with you long after it ends.

[Readers Choice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux is not just a historical novel—it’s a deeply emotional journey that explores how the past can quietly shape the present. Through the eyes of Lawrence Kraymer, we experience the loneliness of a young man raised without true affection and the quiet yearning for something more than success. His connection with the Laux family feels like a second chance at belonging.

The charm of the story lies in its quiet tension. The simple act of building a château out of love seems noble, even romantic, until it becomes clear that some memories are best left buried. David Loux has done a masterful job in showing how one man’s attempt to heal himself unintentionally reopens wounds in others.

With graceful writing and strong emotional undercurrents, the book reminds us that even in a rugged new world, the weight of old pain still lingers. This novel doesn’t rely on fast action or big drama but rather on the power of connection, choices, and their unintended consequences.

[Barbara Stark-Nemon · Rating 5 out of 5]

This enchanting novel absorbs, entertains, and instructs as all good historical fiction must. Loux's fine plotting, beautiful evocation of colonial Pennsylvania, and sometimes dreamy exploration of the humanity in highs and lows of life make Chateau Laux a special treat.

[Kristy L · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux is eloquently written by David Loux, in a style that allows the reader to visualize the scene in his/her mind. The historical background is precise and intriguingly presented. The story holds the reader's attention and entices you to keep reading. I look forward to the sequel.

[Jerri Jarvis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical, family saga takes place in pre-Revolutionary War Pennsylvania. But the story really begins 20+ years before in France where the family patriarch Pierre Laux, a French aristocrat, is forced to flee to America and make a new life on his own. He settles in the western Pennsylvania frontier wilderness, and carves out a prosperous farm, along with a large close-knit family. Lawrence Kraymer is a young wealthy owner of a successful brewery in Philadelphia. He stumbles upon the Laux homestead coming home from a hunting trip, and is instantly smitten by the oldest daughter. From there the story begins it's roller coaster ride to a heart-breaking conclusion. The plot evolves dramatically, making twists and turns, creating a riveting story which is hard to put down. The characters in the story are thoroughly fleshed out, so that the reader can not help but truly sympathize with their struggles. Extensive research is evident, and the author's attention to detail makes the story rich in historical drama. Knowing that the story was based on real people and events made reading this novel even more griping and enjoyable. Chateau Laux is sure to become a classic!

[Dean McIntyre · Rating 5 out of 5]

CHATEAU LAUX by David Loux (Wire Gate Press, 2021) is inspired by an actual tragic event in the author's family history from 18th century Colonial America. Lawrence, a young entrepreneurial brewery owner from Philadelphia goes on a trip north to New York and encounters a French aristocratic family living on the frontier. The warm and affirming nature of the family is a sharp contrast to the abusive grandfather and unwed mother who raised him in France. He becomes engaged to one of the family's daughters and builds a grand and noble chateau in preparation for their marriage. Business trips between the happy married life in the chateau and Philadelphia, including marriage and a child, are interrupted by a violent and tragic event causing him and the family much sorrow and actions of revenge. The engaging plot and Loux's masterful storytelling are only improved by the well-drawn and developed characters, members of the family and others he encounters following the tragedy and his difficult eventual rehabilitation. CHATEAU LAUX is an eloquently written and highly enjoyable experience.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free copy of this book through the GoodReads First Reads giveaways.

As a fan of historical fiction, I really enjoyed Chateau Laux. The novel to me was a journey of finding one's true self. Lawrence Kraymer, raised by his grandfather after his mother died, spends his youth trying to find his place in this world. After a journey into the unknown forest of the new territory Lawrence stumbles upon the Laux homestead while in search of shelter and this moment changes his life forever. Lawrence witnesses with his very own eyes the meaning of a true family and this moment stays with him. Meanwhile Pierre Laux has a troubled family past and has come to the new world to begin again and become the man he wanted to be. The novel follows the Laux family and Lawrence as their two worlds become intertwined and all of the characters find their true place in this world through hardship, faith and forgiveness.

[Freydont · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes, but not often, you just must rave about a novel. Chateau Laux by David Loux is just such a novel. The prose is elegantly straightforward; the characters are portrayed with sensitivity and insight; the plot is compelling and evolves with turns of incident, place, and increasing poignancy; the description of Eighteenth-Century Pennsylvania has a dreamy familiarity to it. On top of that, the story is filled with adventure and wisdom. I’m always a draw to stories connected to the Cathars, so this hit me in the right spot. The author’s profile in the book states that Loux is a short story writer, but I hope he turns out more novels.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is not often that one comes across a contemporary novel (or novelist) who will be remembered as on of the classics but Chateau Laux and author David Loux are among the rare ones whom history will place among the great ones. The story is elegant, albeit disturbing at times, the characters are so well developed that you would recognize any one of them if they walked into the room, and the prose is poetic. I highly recommend this book and moreover, that you retain it on your shelf because you'll want to read it again. I know I will!

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book so much, from start to finish. There were times of trepidation, when I could feel the upcoming pain and tragedy on the horizon and wasn't sure I wanted to know what happened. But I was so glad I continued. Overall I enjoyed getting to know the characters and seeing their perseverance. Knowing it was based on real people and events added even more to the experience.

[Sue Duits · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chateau Laux was beautifully written. Love, tragedy, pain, suspense...this book had it all and I couldn’t put it down. It was so beautifully written that I could almost insert myself into this 18th century true story.

[Mikaela Nabity · Rating 5 out of 5]

A bit of everything

Very well written. A story of self-discovery, love, tragedy, forgiveness, and personal growth. Lawrence's transformation is tremendous as he finds love and recovers from tragic loss. Heartwarming in how he is accepted so fully into the family he had never had.

[Laurel Kristick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am very grateful to the author for providing a copy through Goodreads Giveaway. It was a good historical novel with interesting characters set in the 1710s, although the real life event that inspired the story happened later.

[Catherine Felt · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a compelling read from start to finish.
I couldn’t put the book down, and read it in a day. The characters drew me in and the story was rich in historical drama. Beautifully written!