Scan barcode
sgs's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Took halfway through for this to get even remotely interesting. And then the end was also meh.
Only 2 stars because I did make it through all 1 million pages
Only 2 stars because I did make it through all 1 million pages
keralajane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
4.0
rcraig27's review against another edition
emotional
informative
tense
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
4.5
angelamichelle's review against another edition
4.0
My favorite people are those who perhaps at first seemed to me mediocre but the longer I know them reveal ever more to admire.
I warmed to this book sloooowly. After 400 pages, I began to think it was like one of those better-with-time friends. But then the author gave it a fake climax of conflict—one of those things any fool could have resolved with a 10-minute conversation, constructed to bring the story to a high emotional pitch.
Fascinating story, though. The New Yorker working to locate and evacuate artists and poets in occupied France.
I warmed to this book sloooowly. After 400 pages, I began to think it was like one of those better-with-time friends. But then the author gave it a fake climax of conflict—one of those things any fool could have resolved with a 10-minute conversation, constructed to bring the story to a high emotional pitch.
Fascinating story, though. The New Yorker working to locate and evacuate artists and poets in occupied France.
candacesiegle_greedyreader's review against another edition
5.0
I did not want this book to end.
Don't Google Varian Fry before reading "The Flight Portfolio." Let the novel surprise you.
Varian arrives in Vichy France in 1940, with $3000, a visa for a few weeks, and a list of Jewish artists he was to attempt to rescue. Fry is a Harvard graduate and a journalist of sorts. He's married to a woman who is a power at the powerful Atlantic magazine, and who is behind much of the the funding for this rescue effort. Arriving in Marseilles, he gathers a group of people around him who bring out his audacious side. Varian finds that he is fearless in getting these people--many of whom are very reluctant to leave- across the border to Spain and off Vichy and the Nazi's radar. His time stretches on, partially because of his heady success and partially because he has reconnected with the man who may be the love of his life.
Julie' Orringer's third novel is masterful. Every page is full, as good as it can be, and riveting. I loved it, and any fan of quality fiction will, too.
Don't Google Varian Fry before reading "The Flight Portfolio." Let the novel surprise you.
Varian arrives in Vichy France in 1940, with $3000, a visa for a few weeks, and a list of Jewish artists he was to attempt to rescue. Fry is a Harvard graduate and a journalist of sorts. He's married to a woman who is a power at the powerful Atlantic magazine, and who is behind much of the the funding for this rescue effort. Arriving in Marseilles, he gathers a group of people around him who bring out his audacious side. Varian finds that he is fearless in getting these people--many of whom are very reluctant to leave- across the border to Spain and off Vichy and the Nazi's radar. His time stretches on, partially because of his heady success and partially because he has reconnected with the man who may be the love of his life.
Julie' Orringer's third novel is masterful. Every page is full, as good as it can be, and riveting. I loved it, and any fan of quality fiction will, too.
michelleloretta's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this. Such great characters! So many ethical dilemmas in this book... many of which continue to play out in today’s refugee crisis. Julie Orringer does an incredible job of creating a fictional story surrounding the true life of Varian Fry.
lydiam1003's review against another edition
emotional
5.0
Man in France tries to save artists/writers/etc from the Holocaust. Beautifully written, homoerotic, round characters.
shirleytupperfreeman's review against another edition
I listened to this one thanks to Librofm's bookseller program. I didn't realize until 2/3 of the way through that Varian Fry was a real person who ran an organizaion which rescued as many as 2000 Jewish artists from Nazi-occupied France. Orringer presents a fictional account of Fry's life as a young adult. Orringer's Fry was often a tortured soul who had a difficult time coming to terms with his homosexuality, his role in some events in the past and the choices he was forced to make as he helped rescue artists like Marc Chagall. But he was a brave and resilient man. How do we measure the value of a life - especially during war time - asks this love story and fine piece of historical fiction.