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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