Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster | Atria Books for gifting me a digital ARC of the latest historical fiction novel by Paula McLain. This was just picked as the January Good Morning America Book Club selection! All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
In Paris in 1664, Alouette works in secret to make dyes from plants, while her father works as a dyer for the guild. Women are not allowed or deemed able to create dye recipes, only to do all the manual labor involved in the process. But when her father is accused of treason and taken away, both their lives are in jeopardy. Alouette soon finds herself in a mental asylum, subjected to horrific "treatments." During WWII as Hitler invades Paris, Kristof is working as an intern in a psychiatric facility, becoming alarmed at the "treatments" being inflicted upon the patients. At home, he becomes friendly with the Jewish family living below him. At night, a friend introduces him to Paris underground.
This is a beautiful novel of human determination, grit, and resiliency in the face of evil, as well as a reminder of what an impact small acts can make on the world. I thought the exploration of the world beneath Paris was fascinating, and the dual timelines show how the tunnels were created and used. Both timelines are taut with palpable fear and angst, and I was totally immersed in both. I liked that not all of the stories within had clear endings, nor are the timelines specifically connected. It added depth to the feelings of helplessness and lingering questions that especially the WWII generation experienced. But the characters' spirits really shine in this novel, making this a must read!
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