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kaaaaaaaaaaate's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
novelesque_life's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 STARS
"The compelling story of two women, born four centuries apart, and the ancestral legacy that binds them. Ella Turner does her best to fit in to the small, close-knit community of Lisle-sur-Tarn. She even changes her name back to Tournier, and knocks the rust off her high school French. In vain. Isolated and lonely, she is drawn to investigate her Tournier ancestry, which leads to her encounter with the town's wolfish librarian. Isabelle du Moulin, known as Le Rousse due to her fiery red hair, is tormented and shunned in the village -- suspected of witchcraft and reviled for her association with the Virgin Mary. Falling pregnant, she is forced to marry into the ruling family: the Tourniers. Tormentor becomes husband, and a shocking fate awaits her. Plagued by the colour blue, Ella is haunted by parallels with the past, and by her recurring dream. Then one morning she wakes up to discover that her hair is turning inexplicably red..." (From Amazon)
The Virgin Blue is Chevalier's debut novel and shows great promise for the future. It interweaves the past and present seamlessly.
"The compelling story of two women, born four centuries apart, and the ancestral legacy that binds them. Ella Turner does her best to fit in to the small, close-knit community of Lisle-sur-Tarn. She even changes her name back to Tournier, and knocks the rust off her high school French. In vain. Isolated and lonely, she is drawn to investigate her Tournier ancestry, which leads to her encounter with the town's wolfish librarian. Isabelle du Moulin, known as Le Rousse due to her fiery red hair, is tormented and shunned in the village -- suspected of witchcraft and reviled for her association with the Virgin Mary. Falling pregnant, she is forced to marry into the ruling family: the Tourniers. Tormentor becomes husband, and a shocking fate awaits her. Plagued by the colour blue, Ella is haunted by parallels with the past, and by her recurring dream. Then one morning she wakes up to discover that her hair is turning inexplicably red..." (From Amazon)
The Virgin Blue is Chevalier's debut novel and shows great promise for the future. It interweaves the past and present seamlessly.
celinacurry1's review against another edition
3.0
This book had a great potential but I didn't like the Ella story at the end. Ella was a brat and got on my nerves a little. I felt bad for her husband. The Isabella line was much more interesting although things went bad for her quickly and I wasn't expecting that outcome.
cheryl1213's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tiawilliam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.75
kairwill's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
hlogan's review against another edition
3.0
A good read. I always enjoy Chevalier's writing style. However, I had a hard time with the modern-day heroine of this novel - as in so many books of this genre, when someone is trying to uncover a personal mystery, I found the protagonist to be a bit selfish and unlikeable at times...and I wonder why all of these random people she meets would be inclined to help her. But with disbelief on this front suspended, it was an enjoyable read.
stitchykitch's review against another edition
5.0
I fell in love with Ella Tournier. There was something about her experience that clicked with me right away. Moving to a place that is unlike what you know is never easy, no matter how easy. For Ella, this place was France. I admired her strength of character, she always remained true to herself.
Chevalier did a great job of keeping a balanced split between two storylines (which really ran together). I was a little undecided when I first started reading this book, because it starts off with Isabelle du Moulin's story (centuries ago). It was a bit odd, the life she was forced to live, and I felt quite detached at first. As I sank a little deeper into the story, I realized there was so much to relate to.
I highly recommend this book!
Chevalier did a great job of keeping a balanced split between two storylines (which really ran together). I was a little undecided when I first started reading this book, because it starts off with Isabelle du Moulin's story (centuries ago). It was a bit odd, the life she was forced to live, and I felt quite detached at first. As I sank a little deeper into the story, I realized there was so much to relate to.
I highly recommend this book!
gathonik's review against another edition
3.0
The ending felt rushed for me. Like trying to tie up loose ends quickly. But I loved the back story.