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mnm16's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
stephchjean's review against another edition
5.0
Great book, different take on the struggles everyone had to endure during the war.
book_concierge's review against another edition
3.0
Book on CD narrated by Barbara Rosenblat
3.5***
As she has done for many other women in history, Benjamin, turns her attention to a previously little-known woman who made a significant impact. This novel focuses on Blanche Auzello, a former American actress who was married to Claude Auzello, the manager of the Hotel Ritz in Paris, and their experiences during the Nazi occupation of Paris.
I was completely caught up in this story from beginning to end. Blanche is portrayed as a larger-than-life character; she is brash, friendly, emotional, kind, brave, and a loyal friend. I can easily picture her hobnobbing with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald and Coco Chanel. She has a harder time hiding her disdain of the Nazis than her husband does, and she resents the devotion he has to his job and his hotel. Would that he showed such devotion to HER! But when push comes to shove, it is their love for one another that sees them through and drives their actions.
But the Hotel Ritz is a marvelous setting, and practically a character in itself. Benjamin fills the novel with descriptions of the hotel: from the furnishings to the personal service provided to her guests. The Ritz shines on these pages.
It’s worth reading the author’s note at the end to learn the few facts the author had on which to frame this engaging work of fiction. As she explains, the story of the Auzellos is barely known or commented about in existing documents. So, Benjamin states that this novel is “inspired” by the, rather than actually based on them. Some things are known:.
Barbara Rosenblat narrates the audiobook. She had a lot of characters to deal with and she did a marvelous job of it.
3.5***
As she has done for many other women in history, Benjamin, turns her attention to a previously little-known woman who made a significant impact. This novel focuses on Blanche Auzello, a former American actress who was married to Claude Auzello, the manager of the Hotel Ritz in Paris, and their experiences during the Nazi occupation of Paris.
I was completely caught up in this story from beginning to end. Blanche is portrayed as a larger-than-life character; she is brash, friendly, emotional, kind, brave, and a loyal friend. I can easily picture her hobnobbing with the likes of Ernest Hemingway, F Scott Fitzgerald and Coco Chanel. She has a harder time hiding her disdain of the Nazis than her husband does, and she resents the devotion he has to his job and his hotel. Would that he showed such devotion to HER! But when push comes to shove, it is their love for one another that sees them through and drives their actions.
But the Hotel Ritz is a marvelous setting, and practically a character in itself. Benjamin fills the novel with descriptions of the hotel: from the furnishings to the personal service provided to her guests. The Ritz shines on these pages.
It’s worth reading the author’s note at the end to learn the few facts the author had on which to frame this engaging work of fiction. As she explains, the story of the Auzellos is barely known or commented about in existing documents. So, Benjamin states that this novel is “inspired” by the, rather than actually based on them. Some things are known:
Spoiler
Blanche changed her name to hide her Jewish background; Claude did work to pass messages for the Resistance through a network of hotel managers and supplies; Blanche was arrested; they died in 1969Barbara Rosenblat narrates the audiobook. She had a lot of characters to deal with and she did a marvelous job of it.
mbkarapcik's review against another edition
4.0
A book about a complex marriage that becomes even more complex due to the start of World War II and the Nazi occupation of the glamorous and famed hotel where Claude Auzello resides as the hotel manager with his wife Blanche. I found the book to be interesting but depressing at times and frustrating because of the secrets the couple keeps from each other. It really examines their marriage, for better or worse, and fills in the blanks left by history with plausible fiction. Famous personalities make appearances, but they do not detract from the central story. The author points out how unbelievable it is that no one really thought to put the story out since it is, in her words, a "great big fat juicy story." The story is surprising and tragic yet worth reading. As always, the author writes in succinct prose yet provides enough description and creates an effective mood of the time and the many characters which include the Ritz itself. Not exactly a beach book but packs a lot of stories into one book, all true with some embellishment and well-researched background to fill in the blanks.
njgirloutwest's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kenzieh's review against another edition
3.75
extremely slow paced i’d say in the beginning and you’re not really sure where it’s going however it picks up quite a lot by the end. i enjoyed it a lot
natashaball's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Although I enjoyed this book, I wish Blanche and Claude had shared their secrets and that we hadn’t had to wait for practically the last pages for them to finally be honest and truthful with each other ! Blanche did annoy me a little, but it was interesting to read about Paris during the occupation, and the role of the Ritz.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Deportation and War
bradizzell's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
caseysilk's review against another edition
4.0
Melanie Benjamin is a wonderful historical fiction author. This book really gives you a feeling of Paris during the Occupation. Makes you want to learn much more about the Ritz during this time.
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
5.0
I’d heard this one was good and I’ve been meaning to read it for ages but it FAR exceeded expectations. I listened on audio and the narrator is EXCELLENT. I highly recommend it in this format. So much more than just another WWII novel. The main focus of the book centres around the complicated relationship between Claude and Blanche Auzello (real people) who fell in love in the 1920s and later come to live and work at the Ritz in Paris during the war. Little is known about the details of their lives so the author admits to taking creative liberties but this does not detract from their extraordinary experiences during occupied Paris. Both work in their own ways to help the Resistance without the other knowing, creating resentments and misunderstandings. The toll the war takes on their marriage is so well written, the war is merely secondary. Lots of fascinating historical details about the workings and famous patrons of the Ritz too. I LOVED everything about this book (stayed up late into the night finishing it because I just couldn’t put it down). Fans of Code Name Helene (another WWIi book based on a strong, real woman) should enjoy this too. The story builds to a tragic ending and the historical note at the end by the author adds extra details. HIGHLY recommend this one. Definitely going on my favourites list for 2021!