Thursday, January 28, 2016

Moonlight over Paris


I really enjoy historical fiction books.  Specifically European based historical fiction books.  When I was given the opportunity to read Moonlight over Paris, I jumped all over it.  I have not read much fiction from the 1920s and this intrigued me.

Lady Helena survives a near death illness and promised herself as she lay ill in her bed that if she lived she would REALLY LIVE.  After healing from her illness she inquiries about art school and staying with her slightly ‘wild’ aunt in Paris.  She TELLS, not asks, her parents that she wants to try it out for one year.  They begrudgingly agree and off she goes on her adventure.

She spends a summer painting and reviving herself in the South of France.  She spends mornings painting and afternoons relaxing on the beach with family friends.  Returning from a day of painting she encounters a handsome American, Sam, who makes her promise to catch up with him when she gets to Paris.

When fall comes she moves into her aunt’s impressive house and begins art school where she meets a diverse close group of friends.  They encourage each other and become her lifeline in her new world.  She does eventually reconnect with Sam and a semi-romance blooms. 

Her art improves, her worldview improves and at the end of the year she returns home for a wedding and with a new knowledge about herself.

If you are looking for a quick light read this is your gem.  It has cameos from the Fitzgeralds and the Hemingways.  There were eye rolling moments for the love/romance part from me but it wasn't tooooo bad.

It makes me wish I could have been in Paris in the 1920s.  Ah, nostalgia for a world I never knew. 

I will say that the way Lady Helena’s growing up reminded me very much of how Downton Abbey would portray the time and it shocks me that even that close in the past women had no choices or could be RUINED by stupid rumors.  I do know that I am in a time period much better suited for my tastes. ;)

What light books have you read recently? Do you have any 1920s recommendations?

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