6.23.2017

finished reading

This work of historical fiction focuses on Parisian history I didn't know about. It was a fascinating look at how we identify ourselves with home and the family we choose. There are passages quite lovely to savor. I'm interested to see what my book group makes of it--this is one I liked but didn't love.

“The more I read, the hungrier I become. Each book seemed promising, each page I turned offered an escapade, the allure of another world, other destinies, other dreams.”
― Tatiana de Rosnay, The House I Loved

From the publisher:
Paris, France: 1860's. Hundreds of houses are being razed, whole neighborhoods reduced to ashes. By order of Emperor Napoleon III, Baron Haussman has set into motion a series of large-scale renovations that will permanently alter the face of old Paris, moulding it into a "modern city." The reforms will erase generations of history—but in the midst of the tumult, one woman will take a stand.

Rose Bazelet is determined to fight against the destruction of her family home until the very end; as others flee, she stakes her claim in the basement of the old house on rue Childebert, ignoring the sounds of change that come closer and closer each day. Attempting to overcome the loneliness of her daily life, she begins to write letters to Armand, her beloved late husband. And as she delves into the ritual of remembering, Rose is forced to come to terms with a secret that has been buried deep in her heart for thirty years.

2 comments:

Mary said...

Sounds interesting. This is the time period that made Paris what it is today.

Caffeine Girl said...

That does sound interesting. I don't know that much about French history period. This is going on my list!