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To My Daughter in France
An epic tale of impossible love, of families torn apart and a whole world of hidden secrets—"And to my daughter in France, I bequeath the remainder of my Estate." These words, read from the will of Irish academic Richard Kirwan, come as a complete surprise to his grieving family. Solange de Valnay's perfectly ordered world is shattered when she discovers the identity of her true father for the first time. But the truth of Richard Kirwan's liaison with her mother cannot remain buried, and the Kirwan children and their half-sister must overcome their differences and confront the past that unites them. What emerges is an extraordinary tale of an impossible but irresistible love affair, of passion and blind heroism, of sacrifices made for love and honor, and of four families whose resistance to the German forces, occupying France during the Second World War, binds them across borders and cultures and through war and peace.
464 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2002
65 people are currently reading
874 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Keating
14 books63 followersBarbara O'Hanlon and Stephanie Berke, sisters who embarked on a literary adventure together eight years ago, are now the successful authors of four novels, the most recent due for publication in September 2010.
The sisters' books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and are sold on all five continents.
Their seamless writing makes it impossible to tell where one finishes and another begins. They are widely appreciated for their richness of narrative and, in the 'Langani Trilogy', for their portrait of life in Kenya during the last throes of British rule and the emerging cultural dynamic of a newly independent country.
Barbara and Stephanie are now working on their fifth novel. 'Looking for Adrian' is the story of a sudden disappearance, and a search that begins in Hong Kong and takes the reader to the heart of a family's tragic secrets and their long-reaching consequences.
The sisters' books have been translated into more than a dozen languages and are sold on all five continents.
Their seamless writing makes it impossible to tell where one finishes and another begins. They are widely appreciated for their richness of narrative and, in the 'Langani Trilogy', for their portrait of life in Kenya during the last throes of British rule and the emerging cultural dynamic of a newly independent country.
Barbara and Stephanie are now working on their fifth novel. 'Looking for Adrian' is the story of a sudden disappearance, and a search that begins in Hong Kong and takes the reader to the heart of a family's tragic secrets and their long-reaching consequences.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 94 reviews
May 10, 2013
Lepa, dirljiva, topla, ljudska priča... o ljudskim sudbinama i porodičnim tajnama... Napisana u "četiri ruke", tj. napisale su je dve setre koje u stvarnom životu ne žive u istoj državi...
June 21, 2021
Absolutamente surpreendente este "À minha filha em França".
Não porque estivesse à espera que fosse mau, nem sequer mediano, porque isso não me acontece com livros veementemente recomendados pela minha mãe, mas as voltas que estas história dá e a forma como somos conduzidos por essas curvas e contra-curvas é extraordinária.
Não estava a contar com uma história de guerra (ainda para mais uma história da segunda guerra mundial mas com a sua base na Irlanda...); não estava a espera de uma visão do lado da resistência e dos judeus que ficaram em Paris; não estava à espera da mistura com a Suíça e a Suécia; não estava à espera de heróis marinheiros irlandeses.
Um romance imersivo que alterna entre o pré, o durante e o pós guerra de uma forma tão perfeita que nos nos momentos em que são relatados os acontecimentos mais antigos nos sentimos literalmente no sofá, à lareira, a ouvir a nossa avó a contar-nos as suas histórias da juventude.
Recomendo vivamente!
Não porque estivesse à espera que fosse mau, nem sequer mediano, porque isso não me acontece com livros veementemente recomendados pela minha mãe, mas as voltas que estas história dá e a forma como somos conduzidos por essas curvas e contra-curvas é extraordinária.
Não estava a contar com uma história de guerra (ainda para mais uma história da segunda guerra mundial mas com a sua base na Irlanda...); não estava a espera de uma visão do lado da resistência e dos judeus que ficaram em Paris; não estava à espera da mistura com a Suíça e a Suécia; não estava à espera de heróis marinheiros irlandeses.
Um romance imersivo que alterna entre o pré, o durante e o pós guerra de uma forma tão perfeita que nos nos momentos em que são relatados os acontecimentos mais antigos nos sentimos literalmente no sofá, à lareira, a ouvir a nossa avó a contar-nos as suas histórias da juventude.
Recomendo vivamente!
August 8, 2022
4 sterren - Nederlandse paperback
"En aan mijn dochter in Frankrijk laat ik de rest van mijn nalatenschap na..." Met deze woorden eindigt het testament van Richard
Kirwan, tot verbijstering van zijn Ierse gezin. Ook het leven van zijn dochter in Frankrijk, Solange de Valnay, wordt door Kirwans laatste wil in de war geschopt. Is de man die ze haar hele leven vader heeft genoemd dan niet haar vader?
Eleanor, de Ierse dochter, en Solange gaan op zoek naar het verleden van hun vader. De enigen die weten wat er precies is voorgevallen, lijken de excentrieke grootmoeder van Solange en de gekwelde oom van Eleanor.
Hun zoektocht brengt de twee halfzussen op het spoor van dramatische gebeurtenissen in het bezette Parijs ten tijde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog, waar vier gezinnen verbonden worden door hun verzet tegen de Duitsers bezetter.
In deze periode vol verzet, heldendaden en passie bloeit ook een onmogelijke maar onweerstaanbare liefde op.
Een mooi boek over hoe WO2 de levens van een groep mensen en hun kinderen beïnvloed.
Ontroerend en hartverscheurend, ik hield het niet droog bij de laatste 50 pagina's.
Het begin van het boek gaat per hoofdstuk over een andere hoofdpersoon maar later komt alles bij elkaar, en de liefde overwint, gelukkig.
Na al de gruwelen die doorstaan zijn door een groot aantal personages.
"En aan mijn dochter in Frankrijk laat ik de rest van mijn nalatenschap na..." Met deze woorden eindigt het testament van Richard
Kirwan, tot verbijstering van zijn Ierse gezin. Ook het leven van zijn dochter in Frankrijk, Solange de Valnay, wordt door Kirwans laatste wil in de war geschopt. Is de man die ze haar hele leven vader heeft genoemd dan niet haar vader?
Eleanor, de Ierse dochter, en Solange gaan op zoek naar het verleden van hun vader. De enigen die weten wat er precies is voorgevallen, lijken de excentrieke grootmoeder van Solange en de gekwelde oom van Eleanor.
Hun zoektocht brengt de twee halfzussen op het spoor van dramatische gebeurtenissen in het bezette Parijs ten tijde van de Tweede Wereldoorlog, waar vier gezinnen verbonden worden door hun verzet tegen de Duitsers bezetter.
In deze periode vol verzet, heldendaden en passie bloeit ook een onmogelijke maar onweerstaanbare liefde op.
Een mooi boek over hoe WO2 de levens van een groep mensen en hun kinderen beïnvloed.
Ontroerend en hartverscheurend, ik hield het niet droog bij de laatste 50 pagina's.
Het begin van het boek gaat per hoofdstuk over een andere hoofdpersoon maar later komt alles bij elkaar, en de liefde overwint, gelukkig.
Na al de gruwelen die doorstaan zijn door een groot aantal personages.
August 10, 2018
Já conhecia as autoras Barbara & Stephanie Keating da Trilogia de Langani (Irmãs de Sangue) e tinha muito boas memórias dessa leitura. Sem saber muito mais para além do breve resumo aqui do Goodreads, comecei o livro sem quaisquer expectativas.
A princípio, os primeiros capítulos não me cativaram e achei mesmo alguns pormenores da história bastante previsíveis. Mas à medida que ia lendo, percebi que a história não seria assim tão simples e, quando se inicia a parte da história passada no decorrer da ocupação nazi do território francês durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o entusiasmo foi crescendo e ficou muito difícil pousar o livro, lendo-o num sopro.
Os livros têm esta habilidade fantástica de nos transportarem para o cenário que descrevem e os bons conseguem cativar-nos ao ponto de nos familiarizarmos com as personagens, de fazer com que vivamos os seus problemas, sucessos e derrotas. "À Minha Filha em França" fez isso comigo. Emocionei-me, imaginei-me na pele das personagens, chorei de tristeza pela imensidão de dor e sofrimento que o Holocausto provocou a milhões de pessoas.
Não sendo um livro perfeito — algumas personagens, nomeadamente as da acção presente, estão pouco desenvolvidas e são um nadinha aborrecidas — aconselho esta emocionante leitura.
A princípio, os primeiros capítulos não me cativaram e achei mesmo alguns pormenores da história bastante previsíveis. Mas à medida que ia lendo, percebi que a história não seria assim tão simples e, quando se inicia a parte da história passada no decorrer da ocupação nazi do território francês durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial, o entusiasmo foi crescendo e ficou muito difícil pousar o livro, lendo-o num sopro.
Os livros têm esta habilidade fantástica de nos transportarem para o cenário que descrevem e os bons conseguem cativar-nos ao ponto de nos familiarizarmos com as personagens, de fazer com que vivamos os seus problemas, sucessos e derrotas. "À Minha Filha em França" fez isso comigo. Emocionei-me, imaginei-me na pele das personagens, chorei de tristeza pela imensidão de dor e sofrimento que o Holocausto provocou a milhões de pessoas.
Não sendo um livro perfeito — algumas personagens, nomeadamente as da acção presente, estão pouco desenvolvidas e são um nadinha aborrecidas — aconselho esta emocionante leitura.
June 3, 2018
Desde o início que a história captou a minha total e afectuosa atenção.
Passado sob os focos e o rescaldo da Segunda Guerra Mundial, este romance transporta-nos para o seio de duas famílias tão distintas, no que respeita à sua cultura, mas tão iguais entre si, ligadas pelo passado e por uma devastadora revelação.
Richard, Helena e Celine são as três personagens que dão vida à história, embora existam ainda outras como Stefan, Leah, Seamus, Charlotte...sendo que todas elas têm a sua pequenina história para contar.
O horror do holocausto, as condições precárias e os estereótipos que eram utilizados na altura, conferem ao romance uma beleza fantástica.
Apaixonei-me profundamente por este livro e aconselho a quem ainda não o leu que devia fazê-lo :)
Passado sob os focos e o rescaldo da Segunda Guerra Mundial, este romance transporta-nos para o seio de duas famílias tão distintas, no que respeita à sua cultura, mas tão iguais entre si, ligadas pelo passado e por uma devastadora revelação.
Richard, Helena e Celine são as três personagens que dão vida à história, embora existam ainda outras como Stefan, Leah, Seamus, Charlotte...sendo que todas elas têm a sua pequenina história para contar.
O horror do holocausto, as condições precárias e os estereótipos que eram utilizados na altura, conferem ao romance uma beleza fantástica.
Apaixonei-me profundamente por este livro e aconselho a quem ainda não o leu que devia fazê-lo :)
December 9, 2011
A capa não nos revela nada, por isso o conteúdo deste livro vais nos espantar pela sua simplicidade, mas ao mesmo tempo pela sua profundidade.
Tem um vasto leque de personagens e cada uma vai nos contar à sua maneira a sua história, tanto no Passado como no Presente.
As mais presentes são Eleanor e Solange, as duas meias-irmãs, tão distintas uma da outra, apenas com o pai e a descoberta de toda a história familiar em comum. Estas estão rodeadas por um inúmero número de amigos e pessoas que as amam e que com as suas próprias experiências, passados e sentimentos vão ajudá-las a atravessar uma fase difícil de perdas e descobertas.
Os cenários são lindos e inspiradores: a Irlanda sempre verde e pura, a Alemanha forte e rude, e a França distinta mas frágil. Cada um vai ser pano de fundo de mil e um acontecimentos que vão tornar a vida destas personagens num emaranhado forte e turbulento, numa teia enraizada cheia de nós, mas com um principio e um fim.
Gostei particularmente da história de Seamus e Leah, da coragem e dedicação de Stefan, da resistência de Charlotte e, surpreendentemente, da personalidade de Celine. Esta ultima só nos é apresentada nos últimos capítulos, mas vão mudar todas as ideias e opiniões que temos quanto ao triângulo amoroso de Helena, Richard e Celine.
Penso que não é justo catalogarmos esta obra como romance. Sim, há muito amor nela, mas principalmente muita coragem, amizade e lealdade. Este livro é portanto um conjunto de razões muito boas para o ler: tem história, tem cultura, tem diversidade tanto de cenários como de personalidades, tem um leque vasto de sentimentos, mas principalmente tem o talento de duas escritoras que tão bem sabem transmitir todo o conhecimento e todos estes pensamentos e ligações entre tudo e todos.
As minhas expectativas no inicio estavam um pouco a baixo, apesar de mo terem recomendado bastante, mas, apesar de ter demorado bastante a terminá-lo, no final fechei o livro bastante satisfeita e agradecida por o ter lido.
Tem um vasto leque de personagens e cada uma vai nos contar à sua maneira a sua história, tanto no Passado como no Presente.
As mais presentes são Eleanor e Solange, as duas meias-irmãs, tão distintas uma da outra, apenas com o pai e a descoberta de toda a história familiar em comum. Estas estão rodeadas por um inúmero número de amigos e pessoas que as amam e que com as suas próprias experiências, passados e sentimentos vão ajudá-las a atravessar uma fase difícil de perdas e descobertas.
Os cenários são lindos e inspiradores: a Irlanda sempre verde e pura, a Alemanha forte e rude, e a França distinta mas frágil. Cada um vai ser pano de fundo de mil e um acontecimentos que vão tornar a vida destas personagens num emaranhado forte e turbulento, numa teia enraizada cheia de nós, mas com um principio e um fim.
Gostei particularmente da história de Seamus e Leah, da coragem e dedicação de Stefan, da resistência de Charlotte e, surpreendentemente, da personalidade de Celine. Esta ultima só nos é apresentada nos últimos capítulos, mas vão mudar todas as ideias e opiniões que temos quanto ao triângulo amoroso de Helena, Richard e Celine.
Penso que não é justo catalogarmos esta obra como romance. Sim, há muito amor nela, mas principalmente muita coragem, amizade e lealdade. Este livro é portanto um conjunto de razões muito boas para o ler: tem história, tem cultura, tem diversidade tanto de cenários como de personalidades, tem um leque vasto de sentimentos, mas principalmente tem o talento de duas escritoras que tão bem sabem transmitir todo o conhecimento e todos estes pensamentos e ligações entre tudo e todos.
As minhas expectativas no inicio estavam um pouco a baixo, apesar de mo terem recomendado bastante, mas, apesar de ter demorado bastante a terminá-lo, no final fechei o livro bastante satisfeita e agradecida por o ter lido.
March 23, 2014
Busily involved as we are in moving house, moving countries (France to UK), this book, billed as a 'perfect holiday read' seemed a nice, non-demanding choice. A father's will reveals to his children that they have a previously unknown half-sister in France. The half-sister, Solange is equally shocked by this knowledge. So far so good. But soon we get to hear the father's history and that of his friends, all Resistance workers, as the book switches between 1970s Ireland and France and war-torn France. German-occupied Paris, and the effects on the survivors of their concentration camp experiences are all brought vividly to life, and all at once the story became a gripping one. The characters themselves are not so rounded and believable: it was easy to guess very early on for instance, how the story would end for Solange: but I knew neither her nor her Irish half-sister at all by the time the book ended. It's worth reading though, as an account of the dismal events of the Second World War as far as Paris was concerned. It added to my understanding of the period.
September 22, 2017
Feels like readind it all the same day!
Love the way it transports us into the feelings and particular sufferings of those who experienced the times of war! Making the understanding of those times less historical and more human!
Love the way it transports us into the feelings and particular sufferings of those who experienced the times of war! Making the understanding of those times less historical and more human!
June 5, 2024
As autoras Bárbara e Stephanie Keating já eram minhas conhecidas desde que li a trilogia Langani que por sinal recomendo muito. "À Minha Filha em França" não me cativou tanto, a história não é má, é um bonito romance, uma história de amores proibidos, de sacrifícios, de coragem e determinação nos duros tempos da guerra, mas confesso que arrastei um bocadinho a leitura em alguns capítulos. Para mim a leitura só fluia realmente quando entrava na vertente histórica. O enredo vai alternando entre as décadas de 1970 e 1940 onde nos encontramos perante uma França ocupada pelas tropas alemãs e as autoras apresentam um forte relato dos efeitos sobre os sobreviventes e da luta da resistência francesa. Um período negro da história que apesar de já contado por tantos outros autores, é sempre um tema de grande interessante e emoção.
December 6, 2025
Dit verhaal speelt zich (hoofdzakelijk) af in twee tijdsperiodes en in twee landen: het Ierland en Frankrijk van 1970 en het Ierland en Frankrijk van 1940-1947.
Hoewel er uiteraard wel wat historische aspecten aan bod komen, is dit toch in de eerste plaats een romantisch verhaal en verdwijnen historische details eerder naar de achtergrond. Het leven in bezet Frankrijk, deelname aan het verzet, het leven in concentratiekampen,... hoewel dit allemaal cruciale onderdelen zijn van het verhaal, worden ze slechts oppervlakkig behandeld. En dat vond ik spijtig.
Hier en daar werd er -naar mijn smaak- ook iets te hard vertrouwd op onwaarschijnlijke toevalligheden om het verhaal in de gewenste richting te leiden.
Los daarvan is het een aangenaam verhaal om te lezen: de verschillende verhaallijnen zorgen voor voldoende afwisseling en de speurtocht naar wat er nu eigenlijk echt gebeurd is 30 jaar geleden voegt een aangenaam 'mysteriegehalte' toe.
Hoewel er uiteraard wel wat historische aspecten aan bod komen, is dit toch in de eerste plaats een romantisch verhaal en verdwijnen historische details eerder naar de achtergrond. Het leven in bezet Frankrijk, deelname aan het verzet, het leven in concentratiekampen,... hoewel dit allemaal cruciale onderdelen zijn van het verhaal, worden ze slechts oppervlakkig behandeld. En dat vond ik spijtig.
Hier en daar werd er -naar mijn smaak- ook iets te hard vertrouwd op onwaarschijnlijke toevalligheden om het verhaal in de gewenste richting te leiden.
Los daarvan is het een aangenaam verhaal om te lezen: de verschillende verhaallijnen zorgen voor voldoende afwisseling en de speurtocht naar wat er nu eigenlijk echt gebeurd is 30 jaar geleden voegt een aangenaam 'mysteriegehalte' toe.
February 23, 2022
I picked this up from a library book sale years ago. I had put off reading it due to the length. Usually we get repetitive information in books this length. Not in this book.
As I finished, I thought what a lovely read. I do not get to say that often. From sentence one to the last sentence I enjoyed every word. Fictional story about several people and their experience in WWII while in France. How that experience carries into the present day with them and the family they love. While not all sunflowers as on the cover, we live these experiences with the characters. I held my breath, reared up and smiled with them.
Looking forward to reading more books by this duo. Awesome read.
As I finished, I thought what a lovely read. I do not get to say that often. From sentence one to the last sentence I enjoyed every word. Fictional story about several people and their experience in WWII while in France. How that experience carries into the present day with them and the family they love. While not all sunflowers as on the cover, we live these experiences with the characters. I held my breath, reared up and smiled with them.
Looking forward to reading more books by this duo. Awesome read.
September 25, 2022
Wat een aangrijpend verhaal❤️ maar zo mooi damn
August 14, 2018
Op zich leuk boek om te lezen. Wel niveau kasteelroman. Ik heb me geërgerd aan de meeste vrouwelijke personages. Wat een complexe, gesloten types zeg. Maar verder best een onderhoudend boek.
June 17, 2017
Soms lees je een boek op het verkeerde moment. Na bv. De boekendief, All the Light We Cannot See en nog een paar andere, voegde dit boek voor mij niet meer zoveel toe.
October 17, 2014
Ik had dit boek al zo lang op mijn verlanglijstje staan dat ik me niet meer kon herinneren waarom ik het zo graag wilde lezen en nu ik het uit heb, weet ik het eigenlijk nog steeds niet want dit is absoluut niet mijn soort boek.
Het begon met een heel interessant uitgangspunt en een tijdlang las ik met het idee dat het een karakterstudie zou worden over de getroffen personen en hoe zij met deze tijding om zouden gaan.
Helaas kreeg ik allengs het gevoel in een nodeloos dikke kasteelroman verzeild geraakt te zijn.
De hoofdstukken die in de oorlog spelen zijn van een gekmakende stroperigheid; de auteurs nemen tot vervelens toe de tijd de keuzes van de personages zo integer mogelijk weer te geven, wat er integendeel toe leidt dat ze des te ongeloofwaardiger zijn.
Het eindeloos trage tempo waarmee de perikelen in de oorlog worden omschreven staat in schril contrast met de overhaaste keuzes die de hedendaagse personages nemen. En die zijn hierdoor al net zo ongeloofwaardig.
Op het moment dat dan eindelijk de allerlaatste aap uit de mouw kwam, was ik inmiddels zo verveeld dat het me weinig meer kon schelen.
Ik las dit boek niet uit omdat het me boeide, maar omdat ik me afvroeg of al die dingen die ik in het begin al geraden had, werkelijk zo zouden lopen.
En inderdaad.
En die epiloog was ook nergens voor nodig.
Het begon met een heel interessant uitgangspunt en een tijdlang las ik met het idee dat het een karakterstudie zou worden over de getroffen personen en hoe zij met deze tijding om zouden gaan.
Helaas kreeg ik allengs het gevoel in een nodeloos dikke kasteelroman verzeild geraakt te zijn.
De hoofdstukken die in de oorlog spelen zijn van een gekmakende stroperigheid; de auteurs nemen tot vervelens toe de tijd de keuzes van de personages zo integer mogelijk weer te geven, wat er integendeel toe leidt dat ze des te ongeloofwaardiger zijn.
Het eindeloos trage tempo waarmee de perikelen in de oorlog worden omschreven staat in schril contrast met de overhaaste keuzes die de hedendaagse personages nemen. En die zijn hierdoor al net zo ongeloofwaardig.
Op het moment dat dan eindelijk de allerlaatste aap uit de mouw kwam, was ik inmiddels zo verveeld dat het me weinig meer kon schelen.
Ik las dit boek niet uit omdat het me boeide, maar omdat ik me afvroeg of al die dingen die ik in het begin al geraden had, werkelijk zo zouden lopen.
En inderdaad.
En die epiloog was ook nergens voor nodig.
January 23, 2021
“To My Daughter in France” is a romance written by the sisters Barbara and Stephanie Keating. It starts with a unexpected testament and tells the story of two different families. The narrated events happen in two distinct times: the present, in the 70’s, and in the past, during the 2nd World War. This book is about forbidden passions, sacrifices made for love and courage. Places as Ireland, France and the Connemara’s coast are mentioned.
I completely loved the moments related with the detentions made by the Nazis, the prisons, the relationship between the characters and the Internments, because it was as if I were one of the characters. It was like a roller coaster, there were a lot of feelings and they were all intense throughout the book. There was the war, but there were people who survived to the different situations during that time.
As a reader, “To My Daughter in France" is a very relevant book, because it is an imagined story by the authors, but, at the same time, it has informations based in real events and I was frequently acquiring new knowledge about historical facts on 2nd WW, one of my favorite subjects in History.
I completely loved the moments related with the detentions made by the Nazis, the prisons, the relationship between the characters and the Internments, because it was as if I were one of the characters. It was like a roller coaster, there were a lot of feelings and they were all intense throughout the book. There was the war, but there were people who survived to the different situations during that time.
As a reader, “To My Daughter in France" is a very relevant book, because it is an imagined story by the authors, but, at the same time, it has informations based in real events and I was frequently acquiring new knowledge about historical facts on 2nd WW, one of my favorite subjects in History.
October 10, 2008
My mother and aunt introduced me to this book while I was visiting them in South Africa this past August. My mother remembered it as "A letter to my daughter in France". I snatched it off their bookshelf and read it in one sitting, refusing to go out all day as I was so absorbed in this story. A hopeless Francophile, I was already hooked just by the title, but this is truly a moving story. A tiny little bit Harlequinish, it nevertheless is the kind of wonderful read one can only hope for and so rarely finds. I spent a wonderful day in my mother's garden in Africa indulging my great passions - France, the Second World War, reading and dogs (since their two little darlings Sassy and Sproete kept me company.
August 21, 2014
Adembenemend verhaal vol liefde en tragedie. Het verhaal speelt zich over verschillende periodes af. Een deel oorlogsgeschiedenis die zoveel moed, drama aanbiedt. Een deel het verhaal van een gezin die door het overlijden van hun vader te horen krijgt dat er nog een dochter is in Frankrijk. Doorheen het boek vloeit de geschiedenis van het verleden naar het heden toe. Op het einde ben je volledig verweven in het verhaal. Vlotte vertelstijl, blij dat ik uit de boekenstapel plots dit boek ter hand nam.
August 28, 2019
Wat een prachtig verhaal over liefde, trouw, ontrouw, lijden en verdriet en alles wat daar tussen in zit. Het verhaal speelt zich af in 1970 in Parijs, Dublin, Genève en de Languedoc en in de Tweede wereldoorlog, op ongeveer de zelfde plekken. Het laat zien hoe ingewikkeld relaties in elkaar kunnen zetten en dat mensen op de meest aparte manieren toch verbonden kunnen zijn. Verder kan ik er niet veel over zeggen zonder te spoileren. Een dikke 9 dus hier een 10.
April 29, 2014
Aangeraden door Marina
Barok geschreven romantische vertelling deels spelend in 1970, deels tijdens de 2e wereldoorlog, deels in Frankrijk, deels in Ierland. Alle hoofdrolspelers hebben een brave inborst, goede bedoelingen en een warm hart. Indien zonder verdere pretenties een ontspannen tussendoortje.
Barok geschreven romantische vertelling deels spelend in 1970, deels tijdens de 2e wereldoorlog, deels in Frankrijk, deels in Ierland. Alle hoofdrolspelers hebben een brave inborst, goede bedoelingen en een warm hart. Indien zonder verdere pretenties een ontspannen tussendoortje.
January 30, 2012
I think I will just take a break from this one. I am 60 or so pages in and it hasn't gripped me enough to carry on. Too many other really absorbing books came along and tipped it off the bedside table. Maybe another day.
January 29, 2017
Lê-se de modo compulsivo. A história é comovente e interessante. Apesar de tudo a linguagem é muito simplista e há demasiados happy-endings algo irrealistas.
June 20, 2021
Na het overlijden van de Ierse Richard Kirwan blijkt uit zijn testament dat hij, behalve de 28-jarige tweeling Eleanor en James en de 19-jarige Elizabeth, nóg een dochter had: de 22-jarige Franse Solange de Valnay.
Dit komt als een enorme schok voor zowel de Ierse kinderen als voor Solange, die niet beter weet dan dat Henri de Valnay haar vader is; haar moeder Céline kan ze het niet meer vragen, want die is inmiddels overleden. Ook Helena, Richards weduwe, is onbereikbaar voor vragen van haar kinderen en verkeert in een catatonische toestand...
Alleen Seamus O'Riordan, Helena's tweelingbroer en Charlotte de Savoie, Solanges grootmoeder blijken op de hoogte van wat zich in Frankrijk kort vóór de inval van de Duitsers in Frankrijk en gedurende de oorlogsjaren daar heeft afgespeeld.
Een diepe vriendschapsband, gevormd in 1939 op de Parijse kunstacademie tussen de Ierse docent Richard Kirwan en Helena O'Riordan, de joodse Daniel Nazarre en zijn zus Leah, en de Zweedse diplomatenzoon Stefan Svensson vormt de basis voor de dramatische en emotionele ontwikkelingen als de oorlog is uitgebroken: jodenvervolging en razzia's, verzet en verraad, gevangenschap, martelingen, ontberingen en onvoorstelbare verschrikkingen in de Duitse kampen, maar ook een liefde die ontluikt tussen Richard en arts Céline de Savoie, die Richard in 1942 verpleegt als hij door mensen van het verzet zwaargewond naar het huis van haar moeder Charlotte is gebracht, en die alleen maar dieper en intenser wordt nadat Richard in 1945, bevrijd uit Buchenwald, lichamelijk en geestelijk gebroken opnieuw bij Charlotte en Céline op de stoep staat en Céline hem met heel veel zorg en liefde langzamerhand weet te genezen...
4½ ster
Dit komt als een enorme schok voor zowel de Ierse kinderen als voor Solange, die niet beter weet dan dat Henri de Valnay haar vader is; haar moeder Céline kan ze het niet meer vragen, want die is inmiddels overleden. Ook Helena, Richards weduwe, is onbereikbaar voor vragen van haar kinderen en verkeert in een catatonische toestand...
Alleen Seamus O'Riordan, Helena's tweelingbroer en Charlotte de Savoie, Solanges grootmoeder blijken op de hoogte van wat zich in Frankrijk kort vóór de inval van de Duitsers in Frankrijk en gedurende de oorlogsjaren daar heeft afgespeeld.
Een diepe vriendschapsband, gevormd in 1939 op de Parijse kunstacademie tussen de Ierse docent Richard Kirwan en Helena O'Riordan, de joodse Daniel Nazarre en zijn zus Leah, en de Zweedse diplomatenzoon Stefan Svensson vormt de basis voor de dramatische en emotionele ontwikkelingen als de oorlog is uitgebroken: jodenvervolging en razzia's, verzet en verraad, gevangenschap, martelingen, ontberingen en onvoorstelbare verschrikkingen in de Duitse kampen, maar ook een liefde die ontluikt tussen Richard en arts Céline de Savoie, die Richard in 1942 verpleegt als hij door mensen van het verzet zwaargewond naar het huis van haar moeder Charlotte is gebracht, en die alleen maar dieper en intenser wordt nadat Richard in 1945, bevrijd uit Buchenwald, lichamelijk en geestelijk gebroken opnieuw bij Charlotte en Céline op de stoep staat en Céline hem met heel veel zorg en liefde langzamerhand weet te genezen...
4½ ster
August 10, 2021
Picked this up at an op shop a few months ago because I needed some books as party decor (instead of using my own precious books lol). Let me tell you, I am so happy that I picked this up by chance! I really loved the premise of the book and enjoyed the different character POVs through time. I whizzed through this book so fast and the twists and turns kept me wanting to read more until the very end. I was very intrigued by the subject matter and my heart goes out to all of those families who experienced the horrors of that time.
One thing I do have some constructive criticism on is some of the chapters that were from the same POV could have been merged together rather than separated - there were about two or three consecutive chapters (I apologise - I'm a bit iffy on the actual number) that were from Eleanor's POV in 1970 and I felt they could've been merged together as one or two chapters rather than three short chapters. But other than that, no further criticism about the writing style itself.
A question I keep asking myself is how DID Richard continue to love both Helena and Celine throughout his life and how did he not feel like he was betraying his wife by still loving his lover? Maybe after some thinking, I'll understand but for now, I'm still a bit puzzled. (I might have to reread to figure out)
Anyway, I really loved this book! Please no hate, this is one of my first reviews that I've done without having any of my notes on me before I post this.
One thing I do have some constructive criticism on is some of the chapters that were from the same POV could have been merged together rather than separated - there were about two or three consecutive chapters (I apologise - I'm a bit iffy on the actual number) that were from Eleanor's POV in 1970 and I felt they could've been merged together as one or two chapters rather than three short chapters. But other than that, no further criticism about the writing style itself.
A question I keep asking myself is how DID Richard continue to love both Helena and Celine throughout his life and how did he not feel like he was betraying his wife by still loving his lover? Maybe after some thinking, I'll understand but for now, I'm still a bit puzzled. (I might have to reread to figure out)
Anyway, I really loved this book! Please no hate, this is one of my first reviews that I've done without having any of my notes on me before I post this.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 23, 2021
A friend of mine lent me this book. then she told me that she needed to give the book to someone else so I better hurry up and finish it.
Being under pressure to finish a book is not a good way to dive into a book. So, I've just finished this book and I can say I'm so glad it's over and I'm happy to give it to someone else.
This friend of mine told me how much she loved this book, I kept waiting for the good, intriguing parts, ok maybe to some readers there were some but...
I checked on Goodreads to see if I'm the only person in the world that didn't rave about this book, out of the many reviews, I'm the second one to not really like this book. So, so much for me and my opinion.
It's a drama romance with too many characters against the backdrop of Nazi German, Ireland, Switzerland and France. It just wasn't to my liking, no one talks like, "o my darling boy how I've longed for you.." I'm never borrowing a book again on a deadline.
Being under pressure to finish a book is not a good way to dive into a book. So, I've just finished this book and I can say I'm so glad it's over and I'm happy to give it to someone else.
This friend of mine told me how much she loved this book, I kept waiting for the good, intriguing parts, ok maybe to some readers there were some but...
I checked on Goodreads to see if I'm the only person in the world that didn't rave about this book, out of the many reviews, I'm the second one to not really like this book. So, so much for me and my opinion.
It's a drama romance with too many characters against the backdrop of Nazi German, Ireland, Switzerland and France. It just wasn't to my liking, no one talks like, "o my darling boy how I've longed for you.." I'm never borrowing a book again on a deadline.
September 5, 2022
It kept me enthralled with the flashbacks to the past. I will only give it a four because I���m not much on the romance part but I did enjoy the characters. It’s the first time I think I have read a book where the main heroine Solange I couldn’t connect with at all, almost making me dislike her very much, but I loved the description of the rest of the characters so much that I kept reading wanting to know what would happen to them. This was recommended from a friend who has read it several times. That’s always interesting to me, to read a book someone recommends is like peeking inside someone else’s soul and learning what they like.
A couple times I laughed out loud, so there is a variety of adventure, intrigue, and romance to keep it interesting for most fans of light fiction.
A couple times I laughed out loud, so there is a variety of adventure, intrigue, and romance to keep it interesting for most fans of light fiction.
September 12, 2018
I owned a bookshop and I first came across this book when a chap said that I had to get this book in and I have got to read it. 10 minutes later another chap came in and said exactly the same thing. I did read it and because of my recommendations, I have sold more of this book than any other in my shop. The storyline is handled so well moving between the 1970s and 1940s and describes how one sister in France finds out that she has a stepsister in Ireland and how they deal with this. but of course the real story lies with their Father and what happens to various relationships in the 2nd World War.
August 29, 2020
Het begint bij het voorlezen van een testament waar aan het eind een aparte toevoeging is... aan mijn dochter in Frankrijk laat ik na...
Aangezien ' niemand' weet wie de dochter is en waar ze vandaan komt gaan de kinderen op onderzoek. Zo duiken ze in het leven van hun ouders, oom en vrienden.
Van mij hadden de personages wel wat uitgebreider mogen worden beschreven, meer worden uitgediept. Nu blijft het redelijk oppervlakkig. Ondanks dat leest het boek lekker weg.
Aangezien ' niemand' weet wie de dochter is en waar ze vandaan komt gaan de kinderen op onderzoek. Zo duiken ze in het leven van hun ouders, oom en vrienden.
Van mij hadden de personages wel wat uitgebreider mogen worden beschreven, meer worden uitgediept. Nu blijft het redelijk oppervlakkig. Ondanks dat leest het boek lekker weg.
January 22, 2021
Wat een heerlijk boek was dit. Het gaat over twee families die er door een erfenis achter komen dat ze met elkaar verbonden zijn. Het verhaal speelt zich deels af in de tweede wereldoorlog en deels in 1970, in verschillende landen. Per hoofdstuk wordt er goed aangegeven, waar en wanneer in het verhaal je zit. Daardoor zijn de verschillende verhaallijnen goed te volgen.
Thema's van dit boek zijn heldendom, moed, zelfopoffering, overleven en liefde. Zeer zeker een aanrader.
Thema's van dit boek zijn heldendom, moed, zelfopoffering, overleven en liefde. Zeer zeker een aanrader.
January 30, 2021
Eleanor komt erachter dat haar vader nog een dochter had in Frankrijk als zijn testament word voorgelezen. Solange krijgt ineens te horen dat haar vader niet haar biologische vader is. beiden vrouwen gaan op onderzoek naar het verleden van hun ouders. het wisselt zich af in het heden in 1970 en het verleden beginnende bij 1927. maar draait ook om de tweede wereldoorlog. een roman over familie, liefde, vriendschap en dat alles in oorlogstijd. erg indrukwekkend en ook erg ontroerend.
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