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There are currently 19 member reviews
for I'll See You in Paris
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Joan V. (Miller Place, NY)
The Duchess Who Wasn't
This book is a sweet love story with a few surprises and twists, although the reader will figure them out long before the heroine Annie does. You will spend lots of time googling some of the characters. The Duchess of Marlborough, like Virginia Woolf says, is someone you cannot help loving. She is truly a larger than life figure a woman who lived life to its fullest. I recommend this book to book lovers; the references to Edith Warton, Henry James and Proust are wonderful. What a joy it would be to spend an afternoon with the Duchess' amazing collection of books.
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Sarah B. (Streamwood, IL)
For me but not
I felt like this book was for me in many ways, but not for me in a few as well. I loved the fact that the book had two alternating storylines, but because the far past one was not the focus point of the book I felt it lagged in places.
I enjoyed the characters, and their brand of humor.
Overall I'd recommend the book to my Historical fiction reading friends.
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Kimberly A. (Hannibal, MO)
Finally!
This book was not quite what I expected. I was looking forward to an entertaining and informative read about Gladys-Spencer Churchill, but she was not the main character. Maybe because I kept looking for that focus, the plot seemed somewhat sluggish. I found it difficult to maintain interest. However, after plodding along with the first three-fourths of the book, I was rewarded with an interesting, though predictable, conclusion.
I was impressed with the author's treatment of the two storylines, which was not only well-done, but also very effective. Kudos to the author also for the humor, which was both hearty and subtle.
I would recommend this book with reservations.
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Sherri A. (Westbrook, CT)
I'll See You in Paris...slowly
The first half of this novel suffers from slowness. Sorry, but it's true. Alternating chapters of 2001 and 1973 just don't work well because 2001 is boring, boring. I actually enjoyed the 1973 chapters and was relived to see them coming back to back about 3/4 of the way through.That saved the novel for me. It is achingly predictable, but worth reading for those 1973 chapters. Too bad the entire novel didn't take place then...
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Virginia M. (San Antonio, TX)
Some people may think it is great
I received a free copy of this book under the First Impressions program of BookBrowse in trade for the promise of an honest review. Their generosity in providing the book did not impact my review.
My favorite type of book is historical fiction - one based on actual historical facts but with the necessary fiction thrown it to tie the facts together and to make it an interesting. I really looked forward to liking this book because I had heard that Michelle Gable was a good writer. So I really anticipated enjoying this book.
Alas, I cannot say it ended up being an enjoyable read. The problems consisted of:
1. It did not really include much history – at least not that I could recognize. Apparently Gladys Spencer-Churchill was a real person but the historical facts that are included in the book were unrecognizable as far as I was concerned. I am not discounting the peculiarities of her personality because those characteristics shown in the book may be the true to life characteristics she actually possessed but that did not make it historical fiction in my estimation. I like the books that make history come alive for me.
2. I thought the inclusion of so much "doggy" stuff was overdone. I apologize if that is one part that has been shown to be historically accurate –but I think we could have done for less feces and like the doggy stuff that had been there for so long it had lost its smell.
3. The middle part of the book was too slow paced in my opinion. For me, the best part was the last part. It is too bad that there was so much to wade through before we got there.
I think the author undertook a very difficult task when she chose to make this three stories in one but I think she did a notable job in keeping everything straight for the readers. I also think that the ending was a great twist to the story. I liked that.
I kept wondering why this book was given the title it had, but then when I came to the part of the book where the title came from, I decided it was an appropriate title; however, people who buy the book expecting Paris to figure into the plot may be disappointed.
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Sue J. (Brookfield, WI)
I'll See You in Paris
I enjoy historical fiction and was looking forward to learning more about Gladys Spencer-Churchill, unfortunately the book didn't live up to my expectations. The relationships between the characters seemed rushed, they only knew each other from October 1972 to February 1973. Some elements didn't seem plausible and at times, the interviews between Gladys and Win dragged on and I lost interest. I'll See You in Paris was not a page turner for me.
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Kathy K. (ME)
Fast & fun read
I'll See You in Paris is a fast-paced novel following several intersecting storylines in different timelines. There is an element of mystery to the book, and the constantly shifting time periods and myriad characters will hold a reader's interest. The Duchess of Marlborough is an eccentric character based on a real historical figure who appears well-researched and, as such, she is intriguing and amusing.
Unfortunately the cost of having one larger than life character in a plot-driven novel is that many of the other characters suffer and feel a bit "flat." Francophiles may also be disappointed that the novel doesn't travel to Paris until the last quarter of the book.
Overall, a fun and fast read with a touch of a history lesson!
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