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Corazon Desnudo
"For as long as I live, Father, the betrayer's family will suffer. I promise you that."As she watched the Nazis murder her father, beautiful, aristocratic Gilberte de Permont made the terrible promise that would shatter her innocence and force her to choose between her best friend, American Ann Blakely, and the man both of them loved. From war-torn Paris to New York's chick fashion world, Ann and Gilberte would become women competing for success, fighting for the same man - and sharing a monstrous secret. One of them would realize all her dreams. And one would face the shocking consequences of obsessions raging in...The Naked Heart
526 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1987
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
October 13, 2018
I read a few by this author, years ago and this wasn’t one of my favs. Decent enough story though.
June 21, 2024
They don't make 'em like this anymore, do they?
Jacqueline Briskin was an author I was vaguely familiar with, but I never read any of her books until now. The Naked Heart was my introduction to her work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Spanning the years 1941 - 1954, plus an epilogue in 1964, The Naked Heart is the story of Gilberte de Permont and Ann Blakely, best friends in occupied Paris. Gilberte is haughty and sophisticated, while Ann is the more innocent girl-next-door. One day, Gilberte introduces Ann to two men, Quent, her dashing American cousin, and Larry, a foreign correspondent, who change their lives forever.
This book often felt like a soap opera, but I mean that in a good way. It's got EVERYTHING: sex, revenge, romance, heartbreak, and a sweeping scale. There was always something happening to the characters, and it always held my attention. The story feels epic in the classic sense of the word. I rooted for Ann and Quent, they had a beautiful, star-crossed love story. The first 40% of the book takes place in World War II, and that was easily my favorite part- but I'm a sucker for anything set in this time period. I did have a few small issues though. Yes, there are times the story gets very cliche. Like Gilberte and . Yes, Gilberte is the antagonist of the second half. She turns into an evil, scheming, villainess and tries to destroy her former best friend's life. I won't spoil it, but Gilberte's character arc is predictable and plays out exactly how you'd expect. The plot can get very predictable at times, but it didn't ruin the book for me.
My other criticism: I wish Ann's children, Janey and Michael, were developed more. They felt more like props than actual characters, and we don't get to SEE very much of them. That's why it was hard for me to feel sad when . These are minor issues though. I still really enjoyed this book. Bottom line? If you're looking for a serious, thought-provoking World War II novel, this is not that. But if you're looking for exciting, escapist fun with compelling main characters, The Naked Heart delivers.
Jacqueline Briskin was an author I was vaguely familiar with, but I never read any of her books until now. The Naked Heart was my introduction to her work, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Spanning the years 1941 - 1954, plus an epilogue in 1964, The Naked Heart is the story of Gilberte de Permont and Ann Blakely, best friends in occupied Paris. Gilberte is haughty and sophisticated, while Ann is the more innocent girl-next-door. One day, Gilberte introduces Ann to two men, Quent, her dashing American cousin, and Larry, a foreign correspondent, who change their lives forever.
This book often felt like a soap opera, but I mean that in a good way. It's got EVERYTHING: sex, revenge, romance, heartbreak, and a sweeping scale. There was always something happening to the characters, and it always held my attention. The story feels epic in the classic sense of the word. I rooted for Ann and Quent, they had a beautiful, star-crossed love story. The first 40% of the book takes place in World War II, and that was easily my favorite part- but I'm a sucker for anything set in this time period. I did have a few small issues though. Yes, there are times the story gets very cliche. Like Gilberte and . Yes, Gilberte is the antagonist of the second half. She turns into an evil, scheming, villainess and tries to destroy her former best friend's life. I won't spoil it, but Gilberte's character arc is predictable and plays out exactly how you'd expect. The plot can get very predictable at times, but it didn't ruin the book for me.
My other criticism: I wish Ann's children, Janey and Michael, were developed more. They felt more like props than actual characters, and we don't get to SEE very much of them. That's why it was hard for me to feel sad when . These are minor issues though. I still really enjoyed this book. Bottom line? If you're looking for a serious, thought-provoking World War II novel, this is not that. But if you're looking for exciting, escapist fun with compelling main characters, The Naked Heart delivers.
August 8, 2010
I figured this would be more romance novel than anything else, and was really surprised to find a great story! We begin in Paris, France in 1941. The war has begun and stipulations are in place for the French citizens. Two families are intertwined, the de Permont's and the Blakely's. Baron and Baronne de Permont, and their daugther Gilberte, are there because they were forced from their mansion by the Third Reich. The Blakely's, Horace, Dorothy, and their daugther Ann, have lived there for all of Ann's life. Gilberte is a proud girl, quite aloof, while Ann is her opposite, full of life.
Ann befriends Gilberte since the children at school have no wish to interact with her in any way. For this Ann is shunned, but she's happy with her friendship with Gilberte.
The rest of the novel follows the lives of these two women as they have to interact with the Nazi occupation and the trials and tribulations which arise. Horace and Dorothy are American citizens, and even though Ann was born in Paris, she, too, is considered an American. This, then leads to conflict as America enters the war.
Every time I had to stop reading this book, all I could do was think about what was going to happen to the characters. I could vividly see everything that was going on, feel the emotions they were feeling, and felt like I was this observer just beyond their awareness. I was completely enthralled.
Ann befriends Gilberte since the children at school have no wish to interact with her in any way. For this Ann is shunned, but she's happy with her friendship with Gilberte.
The rest of the novel follows the lives of these two women as they have to interact with the Nazi occupation and the trials and tribulations which arise. Horace and Dorothy are American citizens, and even though Ann was born in Paris, she, too, is considered an American. This, then leads to conflict as America enters the war.
Every time I had to stop reading this book, all I could do was think about what was going to happen to the characters. I could vividly see everything that was going on, feel the emotions they were feeling, and felt like I was this observer just beyond their awareness. I was completely enthralled.
May 28, 2013
Taking place during the Nazi occupation of Paris, this is a story of friendship, love, betrayal and hate, following the fate of two friends: Gilberte, an aristocratic French girl and Anne a vibrant, generous American.
November 30, 2020
I've had this book on my keeper shelf for almost 30 years and it still one of my favorite sagas of all time!
January 23, 2020
"Mientras yo viva, padre, la familia del traidor sufrirá, te lo prometo."
Leí este libro a causa de esa sola línea q me impresionó muchísimo. Y aparte xq, al menos la primera parte está ambientada en la Francia ocupada durante la 2a Guerra Mundial.
La historia tiene dos vertientes, la amistad entre Anne y Gilberte y la historia de amor entre Anne y Quent. Gilberte es una joven parisima, rica y mimada pero q queda marcada cuando ve morir a su padre por culpa de la una delación. Ella jura venganza contra el delator y su familia y cumple. El problema es q el delator es el padre de Anne y Gilberte se encarga de q ella sufra, no solo separandola del amor de su vida, Quent, sino haciendole la vida imposible después incluso, porque la idea es que Anne nunca tenga ningún tipo de felicidad.
Se suceden circunstancias muy complejas entre Anne y Gilberte, entre Gilberte y Quent y con la propia Gilberte hasta q finalmente ella entiende q en la guerra todos no hay vencedores y que los hijos no tienen culpa por los pecados de los padres.
La historia es muy buena, y aunq Anne y Quent son el Romeo y la Julieta de la trama, por momentos Gilberte se roba todo el protagonismo, porque por momentos sientes una pena infinita por todo lo q ha sufrido, pero vas cambiando y terminas odiandola.
La única pega es que, para todo el cúmulo de emociones q se teje durante todo el libro, el final me pareció muy flojo. La autora quiso darles un "vivieron felices a todos" y le salió muy soso. Habría pegado más algo más trágico.
Leí este libro a causa de esa sola línea q me impresionó muchísimo. Y aparte xq, al menos la primera parte está ambientada en la Francia ocupada durante la 2a Guerra Mundial.
La historia tiene dos vertientes, la amistad entre Anne y Gilberte y la historia de amor entre Anne y Quent. Gilberte es una joven parisima, rica y mimada pero q queda marcada cuando ve morir a su padre por culpa de la una delación. Ella jura venganza contra el delator y su familia y cumple. El problema es q el delator es el padre de Anne y Gilberte se encarga de q ella sufra, no solo separandola del amor de su vida, Quent, sino haciendole la vida imposible después incluso, porque la idea es que Anne nunca tenga ningún tipo de felicidad.
Se suceden circunstancias muy complejas entre Anne y Gilberte, entre Gilberte y Quent y con la propia Gilberte hasta q finalmente ella entiende q en la guerra todos no hay vencedores y que los hijos no tienen culpa por los pecados de los padres.
La historia es muy buena, y aunq Anne y Quent son el Romeo y la Julieta de la trama, por momentos Gilberte se roba todo el protagonismo, porque por momentos sientes una pena infinita por todo lo q ha sufrido, pero vas cambiando y terminas odiandola.
La única pega es que, para todo el cúmulo de emociones q se teje durante todo el libro, el final me pareció muy flojo. La autora quiso darles un "vivieron felices a todos" y le salió muy soso. Habría pegado más algo más trágico.
April 25, 2025
3 1/2 stars. This was one big ol' potboiler novel full of drama and intrigue. It is set in WWII and follows the lives of Ann and Gilberte up to 1954. Ann and Gilberte were school friends and lived in the same apartment building. I won't give away spoilers, but something happens that makes Gilberte hate Ann and seek revenge on her. The plot moved along steadily and while Gilberte is pretty cliched for a villain, she and Ann were interesting characters. Quent was as well, but Larry wasn't all that intriguing. I had to finish it last night because I had to see how it ended. I've got some of Briskin's other books, so hopefully they'll be just as good.
December 26, 2017
Ligero y sin muchas pretensiones. A pesar de sus mujeres femeninas y hombres masculinos o lo que quiera que signifique eso y algunos pasajes olvidables, la trama logra enganchar y pasas un rato entretenido. Sin más
August 14, 2020
Three and a half stars.
July 27, 2024
needlessly dramatic and instalovey
April 6, 2026
Quite enjoyed this book. Thought the ending was a bit rushed and definitely didn’t like the continual phrases and dialogue in French.
April 21, 2026
Thought it was a WW2 book, but although it spans the war years, it is not strictly a WW2 story. Kept me wanting to know more about the characters.
April 7, 2014
I thought this would be like any other 500 page novel where nothing much would happen for the initial 100-150 pages & only after that would the story pick up (if at all) & would end amidst the usual drama of love, betrayal blah blah. But this one took me by surprise & a pleasant one! This one has an actual story & a really good one! Replete with unexpected twists & turns & a digestible dose of love, jealousy, betrayal & revenge, this one is definitely worth reading :) :)
September 14, 2015
I was fully intending to give this potboiler of a novel its well-deserved two-star rating for the overblown theatrics and really not believable characters, but-- I grudgingly liked the (admittedly over-done) name-dropping, Zelig-like historical settings, and brand consciousness to set the historical stage of the drama.
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November 24, 2008LP Bri
May 24, 2011
Breathtaking.
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August 8, 2013Read 6/99
May 7, 2014
Det nakna hjärtat.
December 21, 2014
läste den här när jag var runt 12 -13 år och läste sedan om den flera ggr, fascinerad av historien, kär i en manlig karaktär och i andra världskrigets brinnande Europa.
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June 2, 2011Extremely depressing.
June 29, 2016
I felt a little confused with this story. I didn't think this was a great read.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews