Renee Ryan’s The Widows of Champagne is a beautifully written novel of strength, sacrifice and survival . If you are a fan of WW2 fiction with strong Renee Ryan’s The Widows of Champagne is a beautifully written novel of strength, sacrifice and survival . If you are a fan of WW2 fiction with strong female protagonists I definitely recommend this book.
Three generations of widowed Leblanc women Josephine, Helene and Gabrielle operating their family owned vineyard struggle to survive during the Nazi occupation of France and subsequently their home in Reims. They shoulder their individual responsibilities to their family each bearing the weight of their own secrets and struggles. The sacrifices they make and the most difficult decisions they have to take while withstanding the pressures of an increasingly oppressive regime reflect their strength and indomitable spirit. The author has penned each of these women in a way that commands admiration and respect.
With the looming threats of discovery , betrayal and much worse how their choices and actions eventually carve their individual and collective destinies makes this a poignant and emotional story that will stay with me for a long time.
I received a print copy of this book in a giveaway hosted by the author with no obligation. This review reflects my unbiased thoughts and opinions....more
Mizuki , the protagonist of Fault Lines, is a mother and homemaker with a 'less than blissful' life. While she is not lacking in material comforts, heMizuki , the protagonist of Fault Lines, is a mother and homemaker with a 'less than blissful' life. While she is not lacking in material comforts, her joyful spirit and spontaneity have taken a backseat to the demands of daily life. She goes about her days catering to the needs of her two children feeling ignored by her workaholic husband and reflects on her life choices with wry humor and candid pragmatism. Even though she spends a few hours a week as an Intercultural Consultant teaching foreigners about the culture and customs of Japan so that they find it easier to assimilate, her existance is predominantly defined as wife and mother.
On a rare night out with friends ,she meets Kiyoshi in whose company no longer feels 'excluded'. The time they spend togethor revives her parched soul and joyful spirit . No pretentions and no subterfuge. She is honest with him and he with her. Her take on her husband's indifference also changes.
"After all the years I've spent with him not seeing me , I don't see him any more either. We exist like two blind fish, sliding past each other cordially in our parallel universe, it's a great solution."
While Mizuki enjoys Kiyoshi's company and attention she is practical enough to understand how her decisions affect everyone around her. She knows what she is doing and she knows what it is she has to do. It comes down to making choices and managing expectations - what we expect from life and what others expect from us.
"What are we, apart from the stories we tell ourselves and other people?"
With its thoughtfully penned characters , wry humor, eloquently introspective tones and vivid almost peotic imagery of Tokyo (I have to mention that the cover art is stunning!),Emily Itami's Fault Lines does not disappoint. Mizuki's witty , introspective take on her life is what makes this novel so wonderfully engaging. In Mizuki , Emily Itami has drawn an intelligent woman who allows you to laugh with her and laugh at her all the while admiring her spirit . You don't have to feel sorry for her because you know that she will be okay. With such a lovely debut I am eagerly looking forward to reading more of Emily Itami's books in the future.
I received an ARC of this novel from HarperCollins under no obligation. The review reflects my honest and unbiased opinion....more
Sujoya(theoverbookedbibliophile)
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