The Velvet Hours
About the book:
From the #1 International bestselling author of The Lost Wife
As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young French woman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return.
An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.
Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loved.
My Review
I did enjoy this book. The time period was lovely as was the location of Paris. The author did a nice job of bring to life the scenes of Paris as well as the war. Although, I found myself mainly focused on Marthe and her story. While, I did like Solange and learning the connection between Marthe and the present, I just felt a strong connection to Marthe and her experiences. I would say that this was the case for about two thirds of the book. The last third of the story did shift and more focus was on Solange, which gave her a chance to shine more and have a louder voice. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read. Fans of this time period will like this book.
As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young French woman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return.
An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.
Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loved.
My Review
I did enjoy this book. The time period was lovely as was the location of Paris. The author did a nice job of bring to life the scenes of Paris as well as the war. Although, I found myself mainly focused on Marthe and her story. While, I did like Solange and learning the connection between Marthe and the present, I just felt a strong connection to Marthe and her experiences. I would say that this was the case for about two thirds of the book. The last third of the story did shift and more focus was on Solange, which gave her a chance to shine more and have a louder voice. Overall, this book is an enjoyable read. Fans of this time period will like this book.
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