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Book Description
In the tradition of Sebastian Faulks and Douglas Kennedy's The Pursuit of Happiness comes a terrific page-turner - a summer novel which really is 'The perfect holiday read' Sunday Independent-
Product Description
An epic tale of impossible love, of families torn apart and a whole world of hidden secrets-'And to my daughter in France, I bequeath the remainder of my Estate'These words, read from the will of Irish academic Richard Kirwan, come as a complete surprise to his grieving family. Solange de Valnay's perfectly ordered world is shattered when she discovers the identity of her true father for the first time. But the truth of Richard Kirwan's liaison with her mother cannot remain buried, and the Kirwan children and their half-sister must overcome their differences and confront the past that unites them. What emerges is an extraordinary tale of an impossible but irresistible love affair, of passion and blind heroism, of sacrifices made for love and honour and of four families whose resistance to the German forces, occupying France during the Second World War, binds them across borders and cultures and through war and peace. (20021018)
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
17 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I have just finished this new novel, To My Daughter in France, written by two sisters. To anyone with an interest in the vineyards of the South of France, it is impressive indeed. But it is far more than that. Through a clever use of flash-backs, it portrays the current agonies and involvement of two families, one French, one Irish unknown to one another until a fateful day, when a Will and shocking bequest is revealed. From that point, at the very beginning, the novel spins a fascinating tale in broad sweeps, from the West of Ireland to the vineyards of France, reaching back to Nazi occupied Paris, including by the way, one of the best ever descriptions of that horrendous period. All in all a most satisfying, original and enjoyable book.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase
My Mum read this book first, then phoned me to recommend it. I went online straight away and purchased it, and am very glad that I did! It is our book club 'read' for this month, and I have been able to prepare a lot of ideas for discussion from it.
From the opening sentence, this book has you gripped. Just imagine; at the reading of your father's will, you suddenly find out that you have a half sister in France that you have never heard about before. What would you do?
The reaction of the main character is, naturally, to contact her and to find out more; however the reaction from the other side is less open. It raises all sorts of questions and worries for Solange. Does the man that she has always thought of as her father know the whole story? Does he know what has happened?
The book then takes us on to discover more about the lives of both families. We find out about their lives in wartime France and the work of the resistance. The characters grow, becoming more rounded; and I found myself empathising with characters that I never thought I would relate to at the beginning of the book. (These particular authors are incredibly skilled at this - it has happened to me in all three of their books!)
This is an extremely well written book. Like the others that this pair of sisters have written, there is no clear point at which you feel the writer has changed; and yet it is a collaborative work.
Try it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
From the opening sentence, this book has you gripped. Just imagine; at the reading of your father's will, you suddenly find out that you have a half sister in France that you have never heard about before. What would you do?
The reaction of the main character is, naturally, to contact her and to find out more; however the reaction from the other side is less open. It raises all sorts of questions and worries for Solange. Does the man that she has always thought of as her father know the whole story? Does he know what has happened?
The book then takes us on to discover more about the lives of both families. We find out about their lives in wartime France and the work of the resistance. The characters grow, becoming more rounded; and I found myself empathising with characters that I never thought I would relate to at the beginning of the book. (These particular authors are incredibly skilled at this - it has happened to me in all three of their books!)
This is an extremely well written book. Like the others that this pair of sisters have written, there is no clear point at which you feel the writer has changed; and yet it is a collaborative work.
Try it. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The main thing that made me choose the book was it's connection with the Languedoc region of France which I love. I then read some negative reviews of the book, so wasn't overly enthusiastic when I picked it up to read, but by the end of the first chapter I was hooked, I couldn't put the book down!
When Richard Kirwan dies, his wife & 3 grown up children are shocked to discover through the reading of his will, that he has another daughter living in France. They are obviously thrown into turmoil.
The story swings from the 1970's to the 1930/40's. It tells the story in the 1970's of the distraught Kirwan family and daughter Eleanor writing to the no-longer secret daughter, Solange, who also knew nothing of her Mother's relationship with Richard and is devastated to find her "Papa" isn't her real Father. This part of the tale tells how each person involved, deals with the shocking news, feelings of betrayel, hurt, unreturned love,deception.
Also, running along side this story is the passionate, war time love story that brought Richard Kirwan into the life of Celine, Solanges mother. It tells of 4 families that are caught up in the war, their love & heroism in dangerous times.
Eventually the story is unravelled from various sources and the past begins to meet the present day.
A very touching, emotion provoking story!
I will definitely be looking out for the next book from these sisters.
When Richard Kirwan dies, his wife & 3 grown up children are shocked to discover through the reading of his will, that he has another daughter living in France. They are obviously thrown into turmoil.
The story swings from the 1970's to the 1930/40's. It tells the story in the 1970's of the distraught Kirwan family and daughter Eleanor writing to the no-longer secret daughter, Solange, who also knew nothing of her Mother's relationship with Richard and is devastated to find her "Papa" isn't her real Father. This part of the tale tells how each person involved, deals with the shocking news, feelings of betrayel, hurt, unreturned love,deception.
Also, running along side this story is the passionate, war time love story that brought Richard Kirwan into the life of Celine, Solanges mother. It tells of 4 families that are caught up in the war, their love & heroism in dangerous times.
Eventually the story is unravelled from various sources and the past begins to meet the present day.
A very touching, emotion provoking story!
I will definitely be looking out for the next book from these sisters.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Thoroughly enjoyed
I thoroughly enjoyed this book, which was a little different to books incorporating relationships in and after World War II. Read more
Published 16 days ago by Pollyanna
To my daughter in france
This is a fantastic read and I would recommend it. The story enfolds as you read it, it is well written both happy and sad with a good in sight into the history of the French... Read more
Published 1 month ago by Readalot
Cried my eyes out
I just loved this book which I read because I have read other books by these authors that I really enjoyed.
But it has made me so sad. Read more
But it has made me so sad. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Teecee
brilliant but one factual error
I bought this book on a whim and was not disappointed. The characters were well rounded and engaged me thoroughly as a reader. Read more
Published 4 months ago by TS
Excellent Read
Greatly enjoyed this book. Could not actually put it down. Great great story would highly recommend.
Published 22 months ago by Avid Reader
Stephanie Keating
Quite by accident I came by ths author and her sister Barbara Keating. Excellent book as is all their others. I couldn't put it down.
Published on 7 Nov 2009 by Mrs. Jacqueline Lyon
I'm having to buy it again!
I bought this book because I live in France and the title atracted me. After reading it ~ I couldn't put it down ~ I offered the loan of it to a friend, who read it and asked if... Read more
Published on 29 Oct 2009 by Valerie
to my daughter in france
I bought this as a present for someone, so no review.
The service though was excellent.
The service though was excellent.
Published on 30 Sep 2009 by Mrs. Rosemary E. Midgley
Curl up with a good book.
A completely absorbing book. Don't expect to do anything else if you are going to start this book, so my advice wait until you go on holiday. Read more
Published on 20 April 2009 by Paula Woods
Charming and compelling
I own a bookshop and I first came across this book when a chap said that I had to get this book in and I have got to read it. Read more
Published on 27 Mar 2008 by Jerz Jurkiewicz
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