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The Last of the Stanfields
A mystery, a love story, and a search through a shadowy past. Two strangers unite in this novel of family secrets. When London journalist Eleanor-Rigby Donovan receives an anonymous letter alluding to a crime committed by her deceased mother, her life is turned upside down. It points her to a bar on the Baltimore Harbor, where she finds a stranger who has received the same mysterious letter about his own mother. Together, Eleanor-Rigby and this young man, George-Harrison Collins, embark on a quest through the shadowy past of the Stanfields, a moneyed Maryland family full of unimaginable secrets. These secrets will transport them back decades, across continents, and to a mysterious crime long buried…until now.
362 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 20, 2017
5471 people are currently reading
7068 people want to read
About the author
Marc Levy
176 books4,352 followersMarc Levy was born in France. When he turned eighteen, he joined the Red Cross, where he spent the next six years. In 1983, he created a computer graphics company based in France and the United States. Six years later, he co-founded an interior design and planning company with two friends; the company soon became one of the leading architecture firms in France.
At thirty-seven, Marc Levy wrote a story for the man that his son would grow up to be. In early 1999, his sister, a screenwriter (now a film director), encouraged him to send the manuscript to a French publisher, who immediately decided to publish If Only It Were True. Before it was published, Steven Spielberg (Dreamworks) acquired film rights to the novel. The movie, Just like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, was a #1 box office hit in America in 2005.
After If Only It Were True, Marc Levy began writing full-time. Since then, he has written 18 novels. His work has been translated into 49 languages and has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
In addition, Marc Levy has directed a short movie, written short stories and song lyrics for various artists, including Johnny Hallyday.
Le Figaro newspaper recently commissioned a nationwide poll asking the French to rank their favorite author: Marc Levy and Victor Hugo were #1.
Marc Levy currently lives in New York City. Readers can learn more about him and follow his work on www.marclevy.info
At thirty-seven, Marc Levy wrote a story for the man that his son would grow up to be. In early 1999, his sister, a screenwriter (now a film director), encouraged him to send the manuscript to a French publisher, who immediately decided to publish If Only It Were True. Before it was published, Steven Spielberg (Dreamworks) acquired film rights to the novel. The movie, Just like Heaven, starring Reese Witherspoon and Mark Ruffalo, was a #1 box office hit in America in 2005.
After If Only It Were True, Marc Levy began writing full-time. Since then, he has written 18 novels. His work has been translated into 49 languages and has sold over 40 million copies worldwide.
In addition, Marc Levy has directed a short movie, written short stories and song lyrics for various artists, including Johnny Hallyday.
Le Figaro newspaper recently commissioned a nationwide poll asking the French to rank their favorite author: Marc Levy and Victor Hugo were #1.
Marc Levy currently lives in New York City. Readers can learn more about him and follow his work on www.marclevy.info
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 877 reviews
December 1, 2018
This book had a good mix of mystery and family drama. The story involves family secrets that have been held for decades and span multiple countries. I really enjoyed Eleanor-Rigby slowly uncovering the truth about her mother and her past. Definitely satisfied with my Amazon Kindle First free selection this month.
Journalist Eleanor-Rigby Donovan receives a letter in the mail hinting that her mother committed a crime. Given that her mother is dead, she can't ask her if there is any truth to the letter and her father isn't really much help either. Eleanor eventually finds herself in Baltimore in search of the truth and soon meets George-Harrison Collins, a man who received a similar letter in the mail hinting his mother also committed a crime. This is a story of how sometimes the people you know aren't quite who you thought they were.
I liked the family dynamics in this one particularly with Eleanor-Rigby and her father and siblings. Finding out more about her mother and her life before she had children was definitely something that held my interest as well. My only small complaint about the book was I felt too many characters were used to tell the story and some of them weren't really necessary in my opinion. It's not that the story was hard to follow, it's more I'm just not a fan of seeing the story unfold through just about every single character that is introduced.
Overall though this was an interesting story and I would love to check out other books by the author.
Journalist Eleanor-Rigby Donovan receives a letter in the mail hinting that her mother committed a crime. Given that her mother is dead, she can't ask her if there is any truth to the letter and her father isn't really much help either. Eleanor eventually finds herself in Baltimore in search of the truth and soon meets George-Harrison Collins, a man who received a similar letter in the mail hinting his mother also committed a crime. This is a story of how sometimes the people you know aren't quite who you thought they were.
I liked the family dynamics in this one particularly with Eleanor-Rigby and her father and siblings. Finding out more about her mother and her life before she had children was definitely something that held my interest as well. My only small complaint about the book was I felt too many characters were used to tell the story and some of them weren't really necessary in my opinion. It's not that the story was hard to follow, it's more I'm just not a fan of seeing the story unfold through just about every single character that is introduced.
Overall though this was an interesting story and I would love to check out other books by the author.
January 22, 2019
All we can ever see of our parents is what they wish to show us . . .
Mysterious letters to characters on two continents send a young couple on a quest to discover not only the writer of the letters, but a long buried secret that both their mothers shared.
I assume that was the author's intention, but it didn't work for me. I didn't find the "big mystery" believable, OR interesting, and the cutesy names of the players - Eleanor Rigby and George Harrison - only served to aggravate me further. I did enjoy meeting Eleanor's family, particularly her perpetually bewildered dad, and would have been happier if the writer had dropped the whole suspense-thing, and just written about these characters.
Levy's writing is serviceable, and this is not a terrible book. I don't feel that I wasted my time, but I would never read it again. My love for Eleanor's family is the only reason I gave this three stars instead of two.
Mysterious letters to characters on two continents send a young couple on a quest to discover not only the writer of the letters, but a long buried secret that both their mothers shared.
I assume that was the author's intention, but it didn't work for me. I didn't find the "big mystery" believable, OR interesting, and the cutesy names of the players - Eleanor Rigby and George Harrison - only served to aggravate me further. I did enjoy meeting Eleanor's family, particularly her perpetually bewildered dad, and would have been happier if the writer had dropped the whole suspense-thing, and just written about these characters.
Levy's writing is serviceable, and this is not a terrible book. I don't feel that I wasted my time, but I would never read it again. My love for Eleanor's family is the only reason I gave this three stars instead of two.
December 5, 2018
I will most definitely be reading more by this author. This is probably one the best books I've read this year, I just loved it. It was my Kindle First free one for December.....I wasn't really blown away by any of the titles offered, to be honest, and just picked this as the best of a mediocre bunch......boy, was I wrong !! For me it has everything; murder and intrigue and really heartfelt moments that had me sobbing.....it's pretty nigh on perfect. Even better since my hopes really weren't that high.
Much of it is set in the 1980s although I "felt" more like it was the 1920s we were living through-it just had that flavour to me. I lived through the 1980s and yet that terrific decade really didn't feature heavily at all.....
I've read a book about a true-life family, the Garmans (The Rare and the Beautiful) and it brought them to mind for me a great deal as I read it. I loved his characters, well, I loved everything about it....that's it. All the way through I made little notes about what I thought was happening but as usual I was wonderfully wrong ! My favourite moment in the whole story was in Madrid........it was superbly described, even though I sat here bawling !
The story kicks off in London and I was initially irritated that the spellings are American ones but then it moved across the water and I learned at the end that the translator is American so I let that go. I thought weapons cache needed an apostrophe and I think the time differences got messed up as we're ahead of the USA, editor in chief needed hyphenating and one time soldier was written as solider but that was my lot for errors.....
I do hope my little review encourages people to maybe give this a go as it really is terrific, trust me.
Much of it is set in the 1980s although I "felt" more like it was the 1920s we were living through-it just had that flavour to me. I lived through the 1980s and yet that terrific decade really didn't feature heavily at all.....
I've read a book about a true-life family, the Garmans (The Rare and the Beautiful) and it brought them to mind for me a great deal as I read it. I loved his characters, well, I loved everything about it....that's it. All the way through I made little notes about what I thought was happening but as usual I was wonderfully wrong ! My favourite moment in the whole story was in Madrid........it was superbly described, even though I sat here bawling !
The story kicks off in London and I was initially irritated that the spellings are American ones but then it moved across the water and I learned at the end that the translator is American so I let that go. I thought weapons cache needed an apostrophe and I think the time differences got messed up as we're ahead of the USA, editor in chief needed hyphenating and one time soldier was written as solider but that was my lot for errors.....
I do hope my little review encourages people to maybe give this a go as it really is terrific, trust me.
December 22, 2018
Weak Plot, Flat Characters
I'm not sure if it's the translation, but this really was a waste of time for me to read. The main characters are absolutely terribly written. They are complete strangers, and yet both want to jump each other. And it's bizzarely written. One moment, there's chemistry. The next moment, one is snapping at the other. The dad is put in as some sort of plot device, but really it's just pages of backfill. The book itself is over 300 pages not because the story is that complex, but because there's weird back and forth in time plots, not to mention multiple POVs in one chapter. At one point, you have both 1st and 3rd in the span of a few paragraphs. I'm glad this was free, because I'd ask for my money back had I paid anything for it.
I'm not sure if it's the translation, but this really was a waste of time for me to read. The main characters are absolutely terribly written. They are complete strangers, and yet both want to jump each other. And it's bizzarely written. One moment, there's chemistry. The next moment, one is snapping at the other. The dad is put in as some sort of plot device, but really it's just pages of backfill. The book itself is over 300 pages not because the story is that complex, but because there's weird back and forth in time plots, not to mention multiple POVs in one chapter. At one point, you have both 1st and 3rd in the span of a few paragraphs. I'm glad this was free, because I'd ask for my money back had I paid anything for it.
May 30, 2024
Un très bon roman, une aventure bien menée jusqu’à la dernière page !
Deux Amies Intimes les années les faire séparer et chacune a construit sa vie de sa manière .. Et après des longues années un secret va faire face pour bouleverser la vie de leur famille !
Trop belle aventure ❤️❤️
Une famille trop célèbre et trop riche qui possède un fortune incroyablement grande, les parents ont met leurs fille à la porte ! cette dernière avec sa meilleur amie vont faire une aventure mortelle ...
après de très longues années de cette incident la fille de la première femme et le fils de la deuxième vont recevoir une lettre mystérieuse qui va leurs ouvrir un coffre plein de secrets choquants....
La vraie histoire de ces amies et l'héritage de la famille riche sont les deux principaux source de mystère de ce beau roman.
J'ai trop amusé de cette lecture.
Deux Amies Intimes les années les faire séparer et chacune a construit sa vie de sa manière .. Et après des longues années un secret va faire face pour bouleverser la vie de leur famille !
Trop belle aventure ❤️❤️
Une famille trop célèbre et trop riche qui possède un fortune incroyablement grande, les parents ont met leurs fille à la porte ! cette dernière avec sa meilleur amie vont faire une aventure mortelle ...
après de très longues années de cette incident la fille de la première femme et le fils de la deuxième vont recevoir une lettre mystérieuse qui va leurs ouvrir un coffre plein de secrets choquants....
La vraie histoire de ces amies et l'héritage de la famille riche sont les deux principaux source de mystère de ce beau roman.
J'ai trop amusé de cette lecture.
December 18, 2018
This was my choice for this month's Amazon Prime 'first reads' freebie. It was a month heavily skewed towards crime / mystery / thriller titles and I just wasn't in the mood. Having read another or Marc Levy's books - the one in which a bereaved daughter gets to spend a week with a lifelike automaton of her dead father - I knew he'd have something interesting to say.
That said, I was firmly in the 3 stars camp right up to the final pages when the 'reveal' bought this an extra star and a glow of "Damn it, I didn't see THAT coming" and a big daft smile on my face.
Eleanor-Rigby Donovan and George-Harrison Collins (honestly, I didn't like their hyphens) both receive mysterious letters telling them about their mothers and a terrible past crime. Both are told not to tell others and of course ignore that instruction. Both are then summoned to Baltimore to solve past mysteries about those mothers.
The book starts rather slowly. I don't think we even hear from George-Harrison until the book is about a quarter done. Instead we bop around the world and through the past 70+ years meeting Eleanor-Rigby in contemporary London, Sally-Anne in the USA in the 1980s, and Robert in war-torn France back in 1944. Of course we make assumptions and start to piece together how the three are connected and then how George-Harrison also fits into the picture. The first half was firmly in the realm of me tapping my fingers on the Kindle and thinking 'Come on Levy, pick up the pace man'.
It's worth it though. There's the typical Levy 'not quite real but not quite fantasy' feel about the book. The reader has to be willing to suspend a bit of disbelief to get through this. The unpeeling of the onion layers of the story seems to be pretty logical right up to that amazing final reveal that makes you question everything you thought you knew.
Levy's sentence structure is very straight-forward, simplistic, direct. Not at all what I'd normally associate with the elegance of a lot of French writers. I don't know if that's him or his translator and I also don't really know how I feel about it. But I got to the end and thought 'Aha!' and that's good enough for me. Levy makes you care about people who are superficially rather hard to love. And that's got to be worth something.
That said, I was firmly in the 3 stars camp right up to the final pages when the 'reveal' bought this an extra star and a glow of "Damn it, I didn't see THAT coming" and a big daft smile on my face.
Eleanor-Rigby Donovan and George-Harrison Collins (honestly, I didn't like their hyphens) both receive mysterious letters telling them about their mothers and a terrible past crime. Both are told not to tell others and of course ignore that instruction. Both are then summoned to Baltimore to solve past mysteries about those mothers.
The book starts rather slowly. I don't think we even hear from George-Harrison until the book is about a quarter done. Instead we bop around the world and through the past 70+ years meeting Eleanor-Rigby in contemporary London, Sally-Anne in the USA in the 1980s, and Robert in war-torn France back in 1944. Of course we make assumptions and start to piece together how the three are connected and then how George-Harrison also fits into the picture. The first half was firmly in the realm of me tapping my fingers on the Kindle and thinking 'Come on Levy, pick up the pace man'.
It's worth it though. There's the typical Levy 'not quite real but not quite fantasy' feel about the book. The reader has to be willing to suspend a bit of disbelief to get through this. The unpeeling of the onion layers of the story seems to be pretty logical right up to that amazing final reveal that makes you question everything you thought you knew.
Levy's sentence structure is very straight-forward, simplistic, direct. Not at all what I'd normally associate with the elegance of a lot of French writers. I don't know if that's him or his translator and I also don't really know how I feel about it. But I got to the end and thought 'Aha!' and that's good enough for me. Levy makes you care about people who are superficially rather hard to love. And that's got to be worth something.
January 10, 2019
Total shit. Promising start even though the names and other details (pretty sure Michel’s dialogue is based on Data’s speech patterns from Star Trek) are corny. But, oy!! Took forever to finish because it was just soooooooo hacky & juvenile. When will I ever learn? Goodreads reviews suck. (And, yes, I’m writing one. I recognize the irony. But I am not lying to you like all the idiots who think a free book is good simply because it’s free.)
December 31, 2018
Con este libro Marc Levy se ha superado, es realmente fabuloso, tiene una trama tan entretenida y tan llena de todo un poco que es difícil reseñarlo, así que voy a ir por partes.
El libro esta contado en dos tiempos, por un lado tenemos la historia de vida de dos amigas, nos relata su relación, sus sueños, pero también muy a pesar de su lealtad, hay envidia, hay ambigüedad en ellas, esta relación es la más profunda de todo el libro, trata de dos mujeres complejas, tanto en personalidad como en el tipo de relación que tienen entre ellas y con quienes las rodean, conforme se avanza en el libro se va desentrañando un secreto, no solo de ellas mismas si no también del pasado familiar de una de ellas.
Esta historia pasada es el quid de libro, lo que mantiene en vilo y tiene su punto de intriga muy interesante, no sabemos hasta muy avanzado el libro, cuál de ellas es quien, en el presente, pero no solo esto es lo intrigante, si no lo que hicieron y que repercusión ha tenido en el presente, situación que recae en los hijos de ambas.
Por otro lado, en el presente, tenemos a dos personajes que no se conocen y que se encuentran gracias a un anónimo que les hace saber que sus madres guardan un secreto, no voy a ahondar en esta parte porque es algo que hay que conocer, sin embargo, estos dos personajes son maravillosos, te enamoras de ambos en el momento de conocerlos, Eleanor que es una mujer tan británica, tan Bridgette Jones y George que es tan Canadiense, lo puedo imaginar perfecto con sus botas, sus jeans y su porte regio de ebanista tirado a las montañas, son geniales, juntos me han sacado unas enormes carcajadas, me han conmovido hasta lo más profundo y me han hecho soñar también
El libro tiene su punto de humor, al grado que me ha sacado tremendas carcajadas, Michel, uno de los personajes es sencillamente maravilloso, enternecedor, increíble y graciosísimo no porque quiera serlo sino porque su real ingenuidad es adorable.
Es un libro que es conmovedor, intrigante, lleno de un humor fascinante y con una historia que nos tiene en vilo, como les he dicho es un libro que tiene de todo, un ritmo espectacular y una narrativa increíble.
Todo en la historia es fascinante, la manera en que Marc Levy ha dibujado a cada uno de los personajes presentados es realmente asombroso, tienen tantos matices, son tan reales, tan únicos, uno puede odiarlos, amarlos, llorarlos, sufrirlos y amarlos, reír con ellos ha sido lo mejor que me ha entregado este libro, sin contar que tiene su punto de emotividad realista que me ha llegado en lo más profundo.
Por si se lo están preguntando no es un libro romántico, al menos no al uso, es más bien un libro que habla sobre relaciones familiares tanto de la sangre como los que no son de sangre, por supuesto hay amor, Si alguien habla de relaciones tiene que haberlo de algún modo y este no necesariamente tiene que ser romántico.
No había leído ningún libro como este a Marc Levy, se ha superado y es uno de esos libros que hay que leerse, porque les auguro que se la van a pasar genial leyéndolo, increíble que se cuente tanto en tan solo 360 páginas.
El libro esta contado en dos tiempos, por un lado tenemos la historia de vida de dos amigas, nos relata su relación, sus sueños, pero también muy a pesar de su lealtad, hay envidia, hay ambigüedad en ellas, esta relación es la más profunda de todo el libro, trata de dos mujeres complejas, tanto en personalidad como en el tipo de relación que tienen entre ellas y con quienes las rodean, conforme se avanza en el libro se va desentrañando un secreto, no solo de ellas mismas si no también del pasado familiar de una de ellas.
Esta historia pasada es el quid de libro, lo que mantiene en vilo y tiene su punto de intriga muy interesante, no sabemos hasta muy avanzado el libro, cuál de ellas es quien, en el presente, pero no solo esto es lo intrigante, si no lo que hicieron y que repercusión ha tenido en el presente, situación que recae en los hijos de ambas.
Por otro lado, en el presente, tenemos a dos personajes que no se conocen y que se encuentran gracias a un anónimo que les hace saber que sus madres guardan un secreto, no voy a ahondar en esta parte porque es algo que hay que conocer, sin embargo, estos dos personajes son maravillosos, te enamoras de ambos en el momento de conocerlos, Eleanor que es una mujer tan británica, tan Bridgette Jones y George que es tan Canadiense, lo puedo imaginar perfecto con sus botas, sus jeans y su porte regio de ebanista tirado a las montañas, son geniales, juntos me han sacado unas enormes carcajadas, me han conmovido hasta lo más profundo y me han hecho soñar también
El libro tiene su punto de humor, al grado que me ha sacado tremendas carcajadas, Michel, uno de los personajes es sencillamente maravilloso, enternecedor, increíble y graciosísimo no porque quiera serlo sino porque su real ingenuidad es adorable.
Es un libro que es conmovedor, intrigante, lleno de un humor fascinante y con una historia que nos tiene en vilo, como les he dicho es un libro que tiene de todo, un ritmo espectacular y una narrativa increíble.
Todo en la historia es fascinante, la manera en que Marc Levy ha dibujado a cada uno de los personajes presentados es realmente asombroso, tienen tantos matices, son tan reales, tan únicos, uno puede odiarlos, amarlos, llorarlos, sufrirlos y amarlos, reír con ellos ha sido lo mejor que me ha entregado este libro, sin contar que tiene su punto de emotividad realista que me ha llegado en lo más profundo.
Por si se lo están preguntando no es un libro romántico, al menos no al uso, es más bien un libro que habla sobre relaciones familiares tanto de la sangre como los que no son de sangre, por supuesto hay amor, Si alguien habla de relaciones tiene que haberlo de algún modo y este no necesariamente tiene que ser romántico.
No había leído ningún libro como este a Marc Levy, se ha superado y es uno de esos libros que hay que leerse, porque les auguro que se la van a pasar genial leyéndolo, increíble que se cuente tanto en tan solo 360 páginas.
December 5, 2022
O poveste încălciată cum numai marile familii americane pot avea. Libertatea de orice natură este prețioasă, dar dacă vrei să o obții cu prețul răzbunării ai toate șansele să devii prizonierul acesteia. Răzbunarea e ca o piatră care când o ia la vale se transformă într-un bolovan și distruge tot în jurul său.
January 10, 2019
This was a fun read and a great way to start 2019. A light mystery with many aspects the reader is able to figure out by the end but just enough twists and questions to keep you entertained. It’s also a super fast read despite the fact that there is not a ton of action. Love, family drama, mystery,secrets. WWII, this book has a lot going on but remarkably Levy is able to throw it all at you without much confusion. I did feel that the last 25% of the book seemed to stretch on a bit, the overall book being a bit too long, maybe 30-50 pages. But by then I was fully invested in the plot that it didn’t matter too much. The characters are likable, the reading is fun, and the light suspense just right to keep you intrigued. Very enjoyable.
April 9, 2019
Bạn có bao giờ tự hỏi cha mẹ chúng ta đã làm những việc gì trước khi chúng ta sinh ra đời? Liệu họ có một cuộc đời khác, một quá khứ khác so với những gì họ đẽ kể cho chúng ta mà họ muốn che giấu hay không? “Cô gái cuối cùng của dòng họ Stanfield” đã khám phá câu trả lời cho những câu hỏi này, với một câu chuyện chứa đựng những bí mật vặn xoắn vào nhau, những bội phản, những lời nói dối, những quyết định và hành động đã mãi mãi thay đổi cuộc sống sau này của các nhân vật, và ám ảnh suốt 3 thế hệ gia đình Stanfield, xoay quanh một bức tranh quý giá của danh họa Hopper.
Một ngày nọ, Eleanor-Rigby và George-Harrison, hai con người sống ở hai đất nước khác nhau, một ở Anh và một ở Canada, bất ngờ nhận được một bức thư nặc danh tiết lộ quá khứ động trời của mẹ họ, tố cáo hai người phụ nữ đã từng phạm phải tội ác tày đình. Và từ đây, trên chuyến hành trình cùng nhau khám phá ra sự thật về cuộc đời trước kia của hai người phụ nữ ấy, Eleanor-Rigby, George-Harrison cùng độc giả đã được Marc Levy đưa vào chuyến phiêu lưu vừa hấp dẫn lạ kỳ, vừa dữ dội và xúc động, như thể một kịch bản phim đã sẵn sàng để được chuyển thể lên màn ảnh. Chúng ta đi từ Baltimore ở Mỹ những năm 1980, với hai cô gái trẻ Sally-Anne và May, tâm huyết với sự nghiệp xây dựng nên tờ báo the Independent của mình, rồi sau đó ngược dòng thời gian trở về nước Pháp năm 1944, những tháng ngày cuối cùng nhưng cũng nguy hiểm cực kỳ của Thế chiến thứ 2, làm quen với Robert Stanfield và người sau này trở thành vợ ông – Hanna Goldstein.
Xen lẫn với những bước đi của Eleanor-Rigby cùng George-Harrison ở hiện tại, khám phá và bóc tách dần dần từ mảng màu bí mật trong quá khứ thâm trầm, đầy những sự kiện không thể nào ngờ được của tổ tiên họ, là những quyết định, hành động của mẹ và ông bà họ, như thể chính những hành động ấy mới là bàn tay của số phận, quyết định tất cả những gì xảy ra cho hậu thế. Văn phong của Marc Levy có nhiều chỗ hơi rối rắm, dài dòng và khó hiểu, đó là điều không thể phủ nhận; thế nhưng bằng tài năng xây dựng các tình tiết đan cài cùng những phát hiện, tiết lộ không thể nào bất ngờ hơn, Marc Levy vẫn đủ khả năng để lèo lái một mạch truyện dài, rộng và thấm đẫm chiều sâu của lịch sử gia đình một cách vô cùng hấp dẫn. Mình đã đọc liên tục từng ngày cho đến khi hết truyện, và phải nói là càng về sau, câu chuyện càng trở nên hay hơn và cuốn hút hơn rất nhiều.
Mối liên hệ giữa cặp Sally-Anne - May và nhân dạng bí ẩn của mẹ hai nhân vật chính, độc giả đã có thể suy ra được ngay từ vài chương đầu. Thế nhưng vẫn còn đó danh tính của cha ruột George-Harrison, những sự kiện xảy ra đã gây nên mối rạn nứt, bất hòa đến mức không thể cứu vãn của gia đình Stanfield, mà đỉnh điểm chính là cái đêm dạ hội hóa trang định mệnh, cái đêm mà những hành động bột phát đã cướp đi khả năng sống của một con người, đồng thời buộc hai con người khác phải cắt đứt với cuộc sống hiện tại, bỏ xứ ra đi. Và khi bạn nghĩ bạn đã biết hết tất cả, thì cuối cùng, Marc Levy lại tung ra một sự thật khác, phơi bày một bí mật khác, khiến độc giả sẽ phải sững sờ khi đọc đến trang cuối cùng.
Sau khi đã cùng hai nhân vật chính khám phá hết tất cả những góc tối, uẩn ức chất chứa bên trong những trang sử lâu đời, vương đầy hận thù, bội phản, cái chết nhưng cũng không thiếu tình yêu, tất cả những gì còn lại trong mình là một cảm giác tiếc nuối mơ hồ. Như thể lẽ ra mọi chuyện có thể đã khác, những rạn nứt đã có thể không xuất hiện, những bi kịch tức tưởi có lẽ đã không xảy ra, nếu mỗi người trong dòng họ Stanfield suy nghĩ khác đi, hành động khác đi, đặt những giá trị khác cùng tình thân giữa họ lên hàng đầu, chứ không phải là dùng oán thù đổi lấy oán thù, để rồi nợ nần giữa mỗi con người vẫn luôn chồng chất. Quá khứ của những gì họ làm, những gì đã xảy ra thì thì vẫn còn đó, chỉ có thể bị giấu đi, nhưng đến một ngày nó không thể bị giấu được nữa, và mọi thứ bùng nổ trong những chương truyện ám ảnh. Và có thể cũng vì mình thích mê những câu chuyện mang chủ đề và màu sắc quá khứ vọng lại, hồi tưởng như thế này, nên là càng đào sâu vào quá khứ của gia đình Stanfield mình lại càng thấy thích. Nhưng cũng thật mừng là sau tất cả những bể dâu, những ai oán và kinh hoàng mà thế hệ trước đã gây ra để rồi phải gánh chịu, thì thế hệ của Eleanor-Rigby và George-Harrison cùng con cháu của họ đã có thể tìm thấy bình yên cho riêng mình.
Một ngày nọ, Eleanor-Rigby và George-Harrison, hai con người sống ở hai đất nước khác nhau, một ở Anh và một ở Canada, bất ngờ nhận được một bức thư nặc danh tiết lộ quá khứ động trời của mẹ họ, tố cáo hai người phụ nữ đã từng phạm phải tội ác tày đình. Và từ đây, trên chuyến hành trình cùng nhau khám phá ra sự thật về cuộc đời trước kia của hai người phụ nữ ấy, Eleanor-Rigby, George-Harrison cùng độc giả đã được Marc Levy đưa vào chuyến phiêu lưu vừa hấp dẫn lạ kỳ, vừa dữ dội và xúc động, như thể một kịch bản phim đã sẵn sàng để được chuyển thể lên màn ảnh. Chúng ta đi từ Baltimore ở Mỹ những năm 1980, với hai cô gái trẻ Sally-Anne và May, tâm huyết với sự nghiệp xây dựng nên tờ báo the Independent của mình, rồi sau đó ngược dòng thời gian trở về nước Pháp năm 1944, những tháng ngày cuối cùng nhưng cũng nguy hiểm cực kỳ của Thế chiến thứ 2, làm quen với Robert Stanfield và người sau này trở thành vợ ông – Hanna Goldstein.
Xen lẫn với những bước đi của Eleanor-Rigby cùng George-Harrison ở hiện tại, khám phá và bóc tách dần dần từ mảng màu bí mật trong quá khứ thâm trầm, đầy những sự kiện không thể nào ngờ được của tổ tiên họ, là những quyết định, hành động của mẹ và ông bà họ, như thể chính những hành động ấy mới là bàn tay của số phận, quyết định tất cả những gì xảy ra cho hậu thế. Văn phong của Marc Levy có nhiều chỗ hơi rối rắm, dài dòng và khó hiểu, đó là điều không thể phủ nhận; thế nhưng bằng tài năng xây dựng các tình tiết đan cài cùng những phát hiện, tiết lộ không thể nào bất ngờ hơn, Marc Levy vẫn đủ khả năng để lèo lái một mạch truyện dài, rộng và thấm đẫm chiều sâu của lịch sử gia đình một cách vô cùng hấp dẫn. Mình đã đọc liên tục từng ngày cho đến khi hết truyện, và phải nói là càng về sau, câu chuyện càng trở nên hay hơn và cuốn hút hơn rất nhiều.
Mối liên hệ giữa cặp Sally-Anne - May và nhân dạng bí ẩn của mẹ hai nhân vật chính, độc giả đã có thể suy ra được ngay từ vài chương đầu. Thế nhưng vẫn còn đó danh tính của cha ruột George-Harrison, những sự kiện xảy ra đã gây nên mối rạn nứt, bất hòa đến mức không thể cứu vãn của gia đình Stanfield, mà đỉnh điểm chính là cái đêm dạ hội hóa trang định mệnh, cái đêm mà những hành động bột phát đã cướp đi khả năng sống của một con người, đồng thời buộc hai con người khác phải cắt đứt với cuộc sống hiện tại, bỏ xứ ra đi. Và khi bạn nghĩ bạn đã biết hết tất cả, thì cuối cùng, Marc Levy lại tung ra một sự thật khác, phơi bày một bí mật khác, khiến độc giả sẽ phải sững sờ khi đọc đến trang cuối cùng.
Sau khi đã cùng hai nhân vật chính khám phá hết tất cả những góc tối, uẩn ức chất chứa bên trong những trang sử lâu đời, vương đầy hận thù, bội phản, cái chết nhưng cũng không thiếu tình yêu, tất cả những gì còn lại trong mình là một cảm giác tiếc nuối mơ hồ. Như thể lẽ ra mọi chuyện có thể đã khác, những rạn nứt đã có thể không xuất hiện, những bi kịch tức tưởi có lẽ đã không xảy ra, nếu mỗi người trong dòng họ Stanfield suy nghĩ khác đi, hành động khác đi, đặt những giá trị khác cùng tình thân giữa họ lên hàng đầu, chứ không phải là dùng oán thù đổi lấy oán thù, để rồi nợ nần giữa mỗi con người vẫn luôn chồng chất. Quá khứ của những gì họ làm, những gì đã xảy ra thì thì vẫn còn đó, chỉ có thể bị giấu đi, nhưng đến một ngày nó không thể bị giấu được nữa, và mọi thứ bùng nổ trong những chương truyện ám ảnh. Và có thể cũng vì mình thích mê những câu chuyện mang chủ đề và màu sắc quá khứ vọng lại, hồi tưởng như thế này, nên là càng đào sâu vào quá khứ của gia đình Stanfield mình lại càng thấy thích. Nhưng cũng thật mừng là sau tất cả những bể dâu, những ai oán và kinh hoàng mà thế hệ trước đã gây ra để rồi phải gánh chịu, thì thế hệ của Eleanor-Rigby và George-Harrison cùng con cháu của họ đã có thể tìm thấy bình yên cho riêng mình.
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December 11, 2018Good writing and great characterization, but...
I gave up when the 8th narrator and 3rd timeline was introduced. It made the plot incredibly hard to follow, especially since the scenes did not stay in only the viewpoint character's head.
I gave up when the 8th narrator and 3rd timeline was introduced. It made the plot incredibly hard to follow, especially since the scenes did not stay in only the viewpoint character's head.
December 11, 2018
The story here was good, but the telling left a bit to be desired. The dialogue, especially in the beginning, felt quite awkward at times. I don't know if I got used to it, or it actually improved. But even late in the book there were some bits that jolted me right out of the story. The narration varied: 1st person present, 3rd person past. And it resulted in a sense that we were being told things (feelings, events) that the narrator had no right to know. Which also pulled me out of the story. The chapters also alternated in time frame (1944, 1980, 2016) and while the background was needed, the organization of seemed a bit random. Finally, it was a bit convoluted - so many events and characters to keeps straight - and there were times that something from many chapters ago would be referenced without any reminders.
Again, good story. But the writing felt forced. (Oh, when the historian quoted a lengthy letter from years ago, then made sure to tell the listener that, as a historian, he was used to memorizing such things. Oy. Just awkward.)
Again, good story. But the writing felt forced. (Oh, when the historian quoted a lengthy letter from years ago, then made sure to tell the listener that, as a historian, he was used to memorizing such things. Oy. Just awkward.)
May 10, 2019
An author is supposed to show, not tell, and this book suffered by not following that advice. For a book that jumps time, space, and narrator routinely, it would have been much more intriguing to have the scenes play out with first person perspective as opppsed to a third hand account blantantly laid out for the audience. This is particularly true, I think, for the heist and aftermath. How much more suspenseful, exciting, and tragic would it have been to read it in "real time" as opposed to a reminiscence?
I also found the dialogue really forced and unbelievable in some places, so much so that I kept thinking it sounded like a teenage girl wrote the lines. And speaking of forced, could we please discuss the lengths the author goes to in order to create some romance? Totally unnecessary (and given what we find out, a bit weird to me) and basically unbelievable. I felt similarly about the relationship with the sister. Every interaction with her felt contrived and over the top, pulling you out of the story itself.
I also found the dialogue really forced and unbelievable in some places, so much so that I kept thinking it sounded like a teenage girl wrote the lines. And speaking of forced, could we please discuss the lengths the author goes to in order to create some romance? Totally unnecessary (and given what we find out, a bit weird to me) and basically unbelievable. I felt similarly about the relationship with the sister. Every interaction with her felt contrived and over the top, pulling you out of the story itself.
December 5, 2018
I found the whole "mysterious letters that push you to investigate your family's mysterious past" a bit too worn of a trope to be satisfying. The passion and tumult that were hinted at never really surfaced in a convincing way and I never felt like I connected with the characters' true voices. The author's use of one character or another for a detailed explanation of the next plot twist felt more appropriate to a Nancy Drew mystery, than an adult literary work. That said the mystery was interesting enough to keep me reading. Perhaps, the characters and the writing overall are more compelling in the author's native language (French), or, perhaps, this is meant to be a "good enough" outline for a Hollywood movie that, given enough star power, rakes in the big bucks with a safe formula. I have no problem with that. I'd just rather read something with a bit more depth.
June 9, 2019
סיפור מסתורין מעניין שבנוי בצורה מרתקת ושואב לתוך העלילה הבנויה משלושה צירי זמן ושלושה זוגות שונים השזורים זה בחיי זה מבלי שידעו על כך דבר לאורך שנים:
בציר הראשון, תקופת מלחמת העולם השניה, חנה יהודיה צרפתיה ורוברט האמריקאי בורחים לספרד ומשם לארה"ב. משא הבריחה ילווה אותם בשנים שיגיעו ויגבה מהם מחיר כבד.
בציר השני, סלי אן בתם של חנה ורוברט סטנפילד הולכת לעולמה באנגליה. המוות שלה פותח תיבת פנדורה כשמכתב מגיע לבתה, אלינור ריגבי, הטוען כי סלי אן היתה מעורבת ברצח. אלינור ריגבי לא יכולה להישאר אדישה לעובדה שהיא לא הכירה באמת את אימה האהובה והיא פונה לאביה שמסרב לשתף פעולה. סיפורה של סלי אן, יחשף אט אט עם התפתחות העלילה.
בציר השלישי, ניסיון פיענוח התעלומה ע"י אלינור ריגבי והשותף שלה למסע, ג'ורג' הריסון קולינס, שגם הוא באופן מפתיע מקבל מכתב מגורם עלום ויוצא לפגישה עם אלינור ריגבי מבלי שידע שכל ספינת חייו תעבור טלטלה.
אהבתי את הדמויות בעיקר של אלינור ריגבי ואת הדינמיקה המשפחתית. הרבה דם רע זורם שם במשפחת סטינפילד וככל שהעלילה מתקדמת כך הסופר חושף בפני הקורא את עומק הריקבון והרוע שיכולים להיות במשפחות.
בהתחלה הספר איטי ולדעתי ברבע הראשון שלו בכלל לא פוגשים את הדמות של הריסון, אבל עם התקדמות הספר העלילה תופסת תאוצה ביחוד בדפים האחרונים של הספר שזה כמו מפץ גדול.
אהבתי, למרות שאין בספר מתח גדול או תעלומה גדולה, הוא מצליח לרקום סיפור פשע ותוצאות שלו.
בציר הראשון, תקופת מלחמת העולם השניה, חנה יהודיה צרפתיה ורוברט האמריקאי בורחים לספרד ומשם לארה"ב. משא הבריחה ילווה אותם בשנים שיגיעו ויגבה מהם מחיר כבד.
בציר השני, סלי אן בתם של חנה ורוברט סטנפילד הולכת לעולמה באנגליה. המוות שלה פותח תיבת פנדורה כשמכתב מגיע לבתה, אלינור ריגבי, הטוען כי סלי אן היתה מעורבת ברצח. אלינור ריגבי לא יכולה להישאר אדישה לעובדה שהיא לא הכירה באמת את אימה האהובה והיא פונה לאביה שמסרב לשתף פעולה. סיפורה של סלי אן, יחשף אט אט עם התפתחות העלילה.
בציר השלישי, ניסיון פיענוח התעלומה ע"י אלינור ריגבי והשותף שלה למסע, ג'ורג' הריסון קולינס, שגם הוא באופן מפתיע מקבל מכתב מגורם עלום ויוצא לפגישה עם אלינור ריגבי מבלי שידע שכל ספינת חייו תעבור טלטלה.
אהבתי את הדמויות בעיקר של אלינור ריגבי ואת הדינמיקה המשפחתית. הרבה דם רע זורם שם במשפחת סטינפילד וככל שהעלילה מתקדמת כך הסופר חושף בפני הקורא את עומק הריקבון והרוע שיכולים להיות במשפחות.
בהתחלה הספר איטי ולדעתי ברבע הראשון שלו בכלל לא פוגשים את הדמות של הריסון, אבל עם התקדמות הספר העלילה תופסת תאוצה ביחוד בדפים האחרונים של הספר שזה כמו מפץ גדול.
אהבתי, למרות שאין בספר מתח גדול או תעלומה גדולה, הוא מצליח לרקום סיפור פשע ותוצאות שלו.
May 3, 2021
3.5 ⭐️”-Pero, ¿por qué no le dijo nada...?
-Porque los lazos que nos unen a las personas a veces son de naturaleza tal que preferimos los secretos y las mentiras a ciertas verdades.”
Un secreto trastoca 3 generaciones: 1944, 1980, 2016. En esta historia encontrarás un misterio por resolver, una venganza y algo de amor.
-Porque los lazos que nos unen a las personas a veces son de naturaleza tal que preferimos los secretos y las mentiras a ciertas verdades.”
Un secreto trastoca 3 generaciones: 1944, 1980, 2016. En esta historia encontrarás un misterio por resolver, una venganza y algo de amor.
April 27, 2022
4.1⭐
Marc Levy never disappointed me ❤
Marc Levy never disappointed me ❤
January 21, 2019
This was a marvelous book. I had no expectations going in; I barely even knew what it was about, just had glanced at the blurb on NetGalley and decided that I really wanted to read it. I got SO lucky with this one [not all blind faith reads turn out like this one did].
This is the story of Eleanor-Rigby - a girl with serious wanderlust, who lives her life as a journalist that travels the world. She loves her family, but after the loss of her mother, she just cannot seem to stay at home or near home much anymore, much to the dismay of her twin, Michel, younger sister Maggie-Mae and their beloved Dad. She was fairly content with her life until the day she received a letter that changes everything she ever knew and believed about herself and her mother and takes her from London to Baltimore, Maryland, where she meets a man named George-Harrison who also received a letter [about the search for his father] and the game is on and the search for the truth begins and they continue on, no matter the cost. And the cost could be very steep.
Filled with twist and turns and LOTS of sadness, this was an amazing story told from several points of view [which is needed to get the whole story] - from a safe house in the wilderness of France during WW2, to NYC, to Baltimore, England and Canada. And it is a story that is amazing, crazy and sad. Lies and secrecy will never get you anywhere but mired in sadness and bitterness and this book showcases that fact very well.
These are fantastic and believable characters that you have empathy and liking for right from the beginning. And the end is really quite perfect.
I am so glad I took a chance on this book - it was such a great read for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and AmazonCrossings for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the story of Eleanor-Rigby - a girl with serious wanderlust, who lives her life as a journalist that travels the world. She loves her family, but after the loss of her mother, she just cannot seem to stay at home or near home much anymore, much to the dismay of her twin, Michel, younger sister Maggie-Mae and their beloved Dad. She was fairly content with her life until the day she received a letter that changes everything she ever knew and believed about herself and her mother and takes her from London to Baltimore, Maryland, where she meets a man named George-Harrison who also received a letter [about the search for his father] and the game is on and the search for the truth begins and they continue on, no matter the cost. And the cost could be very steep.
Filled with twist and turns and LOTS of sadness, this was an amazing story told from several points of view [which is needed to get the whole story] - from a safe house in the wilderness of France during WW2, to NYC, to Baltimore, England and Canada. And it is a story that is amazing, crazy and sad. Lies and secrecy will never get you anywhere but mired in sadness and bitterness and this book showcases that fact very well.
These are fantastic and believable characters that you have empathy and liking for right from the beginning. And the end is really quite perfect.
I am so glad I took a chance on this book - it was such a great read for me!
Thank you to NetGalley and AmazonCrossings for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 19, 2022
2.5 stars. Not bad, but generally underwhelming. This is only getting tagged as a mystery because that's what it purports to be, and I guess there is a mystery here, a multi-generational puzzle to be solved. But I don't know how it managed to feel so bland. We're following a man and a woman, one from England, the other from Canada, who get anonymous letters telling them that their mothers used to be involved in the 80s, and their acquaintance ended with a crime that's been covered up for decades. The unravelling of the mystery takes us to World War II France and post-war New York and 1980 Baltimore.
It was just sort of bland. It wasn't my preferred kind of mystery, that drops hints for the reader to follow along with and maybe solve alongside the characters. We're basically just following them as they figure out things, with sporadic chapters in the past from other POVs. Any kind of mysteriousness within the plot just felt forced. The characters were fine, but I didn't feel like all of the relationships got the same emotional weight (when two women have a relationship and some reviews can still confidently call them friends, that's just annoying). And the romance between Eleanor-Rigby and George-Harrison was so dull.
This was translated from French, and I don't think it was a bad translation, but I did spot a fair few literal phrasings and clunky expressions, things that might have sounded natural in French but just didn't work in English. This was especially noticeable when it came to the dialogue. A lot of the dialogue was just bad. I didn't like the writing much, because even when in first person POV, it got head-hoppy and omniscient, which I hate.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Stina Nielsen and Braden Wright; both good performances. I've been wanting to read more translated fiction, and I guess this fit the bill. But it still didn't live up to my expectations.
Content warnings:
It was just sort of bland. It wasn't my preferred kind of mystery, that drops hints for the reader to follow along with and maybe solve alongside the characters. We're basically just following them as they figure out things, with sporadic chapters in the past from other POVs. Any kind of mysteriousness within the plot just felt forced. The characters were fine, but I didn't feel like all of the relationships got the same emotional weight (when two women have a relationship and some reviews can still confidently call them friends, that's just annoying). And the romance between Eleanor-Rigby and George-Harrison was so dull.
This was translated from French, and I don't think it was a bad translation, but I did spot a fair few literal phrasings and clunky expressions, things that might have sounded natural in French but just didn't work in English. This was especially noticeable when it came to the dialogue. A lot of the dialogue was just bad. I didn't like the writing much, because even when in first person POV, it got head-hoppy and omniscient, which I hate.
Listened to the audiobook as read by Stina Nielsen and Braden Wright; both good performances. I've been wanting to read more translated fiction, and I guess this fit the bill. But it still didn't live up to my expectations.
Content warnings:
December 14, 2018
I found it slow to start - it was difficult to get into with so many different characters and timelines and back and forthing. Blah. It got better when you got a handle on what was going on. Story was vaguely interesting, but the writing style basically dragged you through to the end, not in a twisty hold your hand as you run through a warren of alleyways, but in the chained to a wrecking ball that’s going through brick walls kind of way. It was painful, not suspenseful.
I was also really confused with some of the reveals - the perspective flipped frequently, but some of the first person views shared emotions/thoughts of other characters in scenes the narrator wasn’t even in? And it wasn’t like the second character was telling the narrator either. It felt like we were being told, not shown, not along for the ride. As if we were being set up for the next reveal but the author couldn’t figure out how share the information within the context of the story.
Also, it’s full of awkwardness, the GH and ER attraction being the worst of it. That coupling was weird (and too forced at the beginning, like she’s attracted but he’s boorish and she can’t stand how he xyz, shut up). Also, family is family. The technical not related thing was crossing a line for me.
The poison pen reveal was ridiculous, and the whole letter farce runs completely against the persona we’re presented with.
I felt the only really interesting storyline was the passion with which M and SA perused the independent. That bit I loved. The weird love triangles at that time was a bit much.
Three stars. Probably won’t read again.
I was also really confused with some of the reveals - the perspective flipped frequently, but some of the first person views shared emotions/thoughts of other characters in scenes the narrator wasn’t even in? And it wasn’t like the second character was telling the narrator either. It felt like we were being told, not shown, not along for the ride. As if we were being set up for the next reveal but the author couldn’t figure out how share the information within the context of the story.
Also, it’s full of awkwardness, the GH and ER attraction being the worst of it. That coupling was weird (and too forced at the beginning, like she’s attracted but he’s boorish and she can’t stand how he xyz, shut up). Also, family is family. The technical not related thing was crossing a line for me.
The poison pen reveal was ridiculous, and the whole letter farce runs completely against the persona we’re presented with.
I felt the only really interesting storyline was the passion with which M and SA perused the independent. That bit I loved. The weird love triangles at that time was a bit much.
Three stars. Probably won’t read again.
December 10, 2018
The book jumps between times and narrators a bit too much for me. I had difficulty following the story line and feeling engaged with the characters.
January 4, 2019
The Last of the Stanfields just wasn’t, for me, an enjoyable read. In fact, I usually inhale a book like I’m gasping for breath (quickly and with great fervor), but this took me two full days of starting and stopping. I even contemplating shelving it before I’d hit the 50% mark. In the end, I slogged through and was left tired and honestly glad to have finished.
The premise is that of two strangers, Eleanor-Rigby Donovan and George-Harrison Collins, receiving nearly identical letters, the contents of which call into question everything they think they know about their mothers. The anonymous writer of these letters orchestrates a blind meeting for the two in Baltimore, as Eleanor-Rigby travels from England and George-Harrison from Canada. Together they embark upon a mission to uncover the truth behind a specific accusation leveled in the strange letters—that both of their mothers were involved in a significant crime.
The book is structured primarily as a first person narrative from Eleanor-Rigby’s POV. With that said, alternating chapters are told in third person. The reader travels from Baltimore, Maryland in the 1980s to war-torn France in the 40s, then to England, Canada and the US in 2016. It’s a dizzying journey that made me want to grab the author by the shoulders and scream “FOR GOD’S SAKE STOP!” It was just overwhelming, disjointed and frenetic.
Add to the structural chaos the fact that there were just too many extraneous and unnecessary plot threads, characters and details. The reader learns about Eleanor-Rigby’s family through painful specifics that lent nothing to the story. Her father loves his car, her brother is on the spectrum and works in a library, her sister has a boyfriend who owns a pub, and on, and on, and on. The author’s attention to the trivial carries through each chapter. It’s as if he is trying too hard to infuse an air of authenticity to the work, when instead the overwhelming minutiae serves only to suffocate the story. Mark Twain once said, “When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them--then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are far apart.” I believe the same holds true for intricacies offered in isolation. Twain would have hated this piece.
In the end, I wasn’t sure exactly who the target audience was here. History buffs are plied with chapters that skip through France on the heels of an American who joins forces with the French Resistance circa 1944. Romance readers are served a secondary love story. Those who enjoy the mystery genre are presented with a puzzle that is challenging. For me, this scatter-shot approach was simply disconcerting. Sometimes there is wisdom in choosing depth over breadth.
If you love history and don’t mind tangential forays and painfully detailed accounts of events, you may enjoy this. Three stars for the primary plot and the addition of an interesting twist. Just not my cup of tea.
The premise is that of two strangers, Eleanor-Rigby Donovan and George-Harrison Collins, receiving nearly identical letters, the contents of which call into question everything they think they know about their mothers. The anonymous writer of these letters orchestrates a blind meeting for the two in Baltimore, as Eleanor-Rigby travels from England and George-Harrison from Canada. Together they embark upon a mission to uncover the truth behind a specific accusation leveled in the strange letters—that both of their mothers were involved in a significant crime.
The book is structured primarily as a first person narrative from Eleanor-Rigby’s POV. With that said, alternating chapters are told in third person. The reader travels from Baltimore, Maryland in the 1980s to war-torn France in the 40s, then to England, Canada and the US in 2016. It’s a dizzying journey that made me want to grab the author by the shoulders and scream “FOR GOD’S SAKE STOP!” It was just overwhelming, disjointed and frenetic.
Add to the structural chaos the fact that there were just too many extraneous and unnecessary plot threads, characters and details. The reader learns about Eleanor-Rigby’s family through painful specifics that lent nothing to the story. Her father loves his car, her brother is on the spectrum and works in a library, her sister has a boyfriend who owns a pub, and on, and on, and on. The author’s attention to the trivial carries through each chapter. It’s as if he is trying too hard to infuse an air of authenticity to the work, when instead the overwhelming minutiae serves only to suffocate the story. Mark Twain once said, “When you catch an adjective, kill it. No, I don't mean utterly, but kill most of them--then the rest will be valuable. They weaken when they are close together. They give strength when they are far apart.” I believe the same holds true for intricacies offered in isolation. Twain would have hated this piece.
In the end, I wasn’t sure exactly who the target audience was here. History buffs are plied with chapters that skip through France on the heels of an American who joins forces with the French Resistance circa 1944. Romance readers are served a secondary love story. Those who enjoy the mystery genre are presented with a puzzle that is challenging. For me, this scatter-shot approach was simply disconcerting. Sometimes there is wisdom in choosing depth over breadth.
If you love history and don’t mind tangential forays and painfully detailed accounts of events, you may enjoy this. Three stars for the primary plot and the addition of an interesting twist. Just not my cup of tea.
October 15, 2024
J’ai beaucoup aimé ma lecture, il faut réussir à rentrer dedans et à se plonger dans les différents personnages et les différentes époques mais j’ai justement aimé le côté d’avoir différents bout de l’histoire et de les relier au fur et à mesure.
Je trouve que le livre se lit facilement et qu’une fois qu’elle reçoit sa première lettre, on a envie d’en découvrir plus et de participer à ses recherches.
Je trouve que le livre se lit facilement et qu’une fois qu’elle reçoit sa première lettre, on a envie d’en découvrir plus et de participer à ses recherches.
January 15, 2019
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. The Last of the Stanfields turned out to be kind of weird. The story line was choppy and strange. The characters were hard to identify with. The entire thing is so all over the place. It's entertaining and engaging in a ridiculous way. Overall, it's actually not bad, just different. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2019
Μια εξαιρετική δραματική ιστορία που ξεσκεπάζει οικογενειακά μυστικά που ενώνουν τρεις γενεές, με έναν τρόπο υπέροχο και διεισδυτικό κατευθείαν στην καρδιά των γεγονότων και των προσωπικών επιλογών. Μια ιστορία που αποδεικνύει με μια περίτρανη και αποστομωτική μέθοδο πως οι άνθρωποι είναι ικανοί για το καλύτερο, αλλά και για το χειρότερο. Και πως τις περισσότερες φορές μας λένε όσα θέλουν να μας πουν και μας δείχνουν όσα θέλουν να μας δείξουν.
Η δημοσιογράφος Eleanor-Rigby Donovan, ζεί στο Λονδίνο, όταν δεν ταξιδεύει σε όλον τον κόσμο. Η ζωή της αναστατώνεται όταν λαμβάνει μια επιστολή στην οποία ο συντάκτης υπονοεί πως η μητέρα της είχε συμμετοχή σε ένα έγκλημα στο παρελθόν. Μια επιστολή γραμμένη με πονηρό τρόπο, ώστε να κρύβει την ταυτότητα του αποστολέα, αλλά και τις πραγματικές προθέσεις του. Δεδομένου ότι η μητέρα της Eleanor-Rigby έχει πεθάνει και μην θέλοντας να αναστατώσει τον πατέρα της, εκείνη θα αρχίσει να ψάχνει στα τυφλά αρπάζοντας τις μικρές ενδείξεις που υπάρχουν στην επιστολή. Βάζοντας αρχικά στο παιχνίδι τον δίδυμο αδερφό της και την μικρότερη αδερφή της.
Την ίδια ώρα μια επιστολή αντίστοιχη φτάνει στα χέρια του George Harrison Collins, ενός ξυλουργού που ζεί σε μια επαρχιακή πόλη στο Κεμπέκ του Καναδά. Σε αυτόν υποδεικνύει ο αποστολέας, με εύσχημο και προσχηματικό τρόπο την κρυμμένη αλήθεια για τον πατέρα του, που δεν γνώρισε ποτέ. Με μοναδικό σκοπό να αποκαλύψει την ταυτότητα του πατέρα του θα ακολουθήσει τις οδηγίες του αποστολέα που του δίνει ραντεβού σε ένα μπαρ ψαράδων στο λιμάνι της Βαλτιμόρης. Στο ίδιο μέρος και την ίδια ώρα ζητά απο την Eleanor-Rigby να συναντηθούν ο δικός της αποστολέας. Έτσι λοιπόν εκείνος απο το Κεμπέκ του Καναδά και εκείνη απο το Λονδίνο θα ταξιδεύσουν στην Βαλτιμόρη ώστε να συναντηθούν με το ίδιο το παρελθόν τους που συνδέεται αδιόρατα και να αποκαλύψουν μέσα από αυτό το πραγματικό πρόσωπο της οικογενειακής τους ιστορίας, αλλά και τις άγνωστες πτυχές του ίδιου τους του εαυτού.
Μια φωτογραφία στο μπαρ της συνάντησης τους. Ένα γράμμα που βρίσκει απρόοπτα στην τσέπη του παλτού της η Eleanor-Rigby. Ένας εκκεντρικός καθηγητής και η δύναμη της συνεργασίας των δυο κατ' ανάγκη συνοδοιπόρων σε αυτή την ιστορία, θα κουμπώσει εκείνα τα κομμάτια που μας παρουσιάζονται σιγά σιγά από το παρελθόν των οικογενειών τους. Χαμένοι μέσα στην άγνοια των προθέσεων του άγνωστου αποστολέα. Καχύποπτοι και διστακτικοί μπροστά στα άγνωστα κίνητρα του. Αλλά και επιφυλακτικοί ακόμα και μπροστά στις δικές τους αμφιλεγόμενες κινήσεις και προθέσεις θα ψάξουν την αλήθεια ανάμεσα σε αφαιρέσεις, σε διασταυρώσεις γεγονότων και μαρτυριών με την δύναμη της λογικής και την αξία ενός συναισθήματος δυνατού που αρχίζει περίεργα να τους ενώνει..
Με δυνατή κινηματογραφική πλοκή και καταπληκτικά τοποθετημένα φλας μπακ η σύνθετη αλήθεια μας φανερώνεται σιγά σιγά. Διώχνοντας μακριά τις παραπλανητικές εκδοχές και τις ψεύτικες εικόνες που έχουν στο μυαλό τους οι δύο πρωταγωνιστές. Και ενώνοντας ταυτόχρονα σε μια συμβιβαστική και λυτρωτική γέφυρα τα εκούσια ή ακούσια λάθη του παρελθόντος. Μια περιπέτεια κρυμμένη μέσα σε ανομολόγητα ενοχικά μυστικά. Ένας αδιευκρίνιστος θησαυρός και ένα χαρτογραφημένο μονοπάτι που οδηγεί αμφίδρομα στην μοναδική αλήθεια της ιστορίας που βρίσκεται κρυμμένη ανάμεσα σε μικρά ή μεγάλα ψέματα. Ο συγγραφέας κτίζει με μαεστρία την ιστορία του, αποκαλύπτοντας σιγά σιγά, τα κομμάτια που ενώνουν τις ιστορίες του παρελθόντος με τα κίνητρα του αγνώστου που κινεί πλέον τα νήματα στο παρόν. Οι απροσδιόριστες προθέσεις του, που μένουν σκοτεινές και αδιευκρίνιστες μέχρι την τελευταία στιγμή. Τα αντιφατικά και διαρκώς εναλλασσόμενα συναισθήματα που δημιουργούνται από τις συνεχόμενες ανατροπές στις κινήσεις και στις πράξεις των ηρώων, οδηγούν σε ένα φρενήρη αναγνωστικό ταξίδι με σκοπό να δοθεί το απόλυτο φως στα πως και τα γιατί των ανθρώπινων πράξεων.
Έχοντας διαβάσει τα περισσότερα βιβλία του Marc Levy, έχω να πω πως ο συγκεκριμένος συγγραφέας έχει κάτι μαγικό στην πένα του και στον συλλογισμό του. Συνδυάζει εξαιρετικά τον λόγο του, με το συναίσθημα που πηγάζει από το κείμενο του. Την περιπέτεια, την αγωνία, την ανατρεπτική και αναπάντεχη τροπή των εξελίξεων της ιστορίας του. Αλλά και το καθοριστικό μήνυμα που περνάει μέσα από τα βιβλία του, έχει κάτι ιδιαίτερο και σημαντικό να μας υποδείξει. Στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ακροβατεί ανάμεσα στην αλήθεια και το ψέμα που μπορεί να κρύβει η πορεία μιας ζωής. Σε πολλά σημεία θα μπούμε στην διαδικασία να δικάσουμε τους πρωταγωνιστές της ιστορίας. Να τους κρίνουμε αρνητικά και σκληρά. Να δώσουμε λάθος όνομα στο πρόσημο των πράξεων τους. Όμως κάτω απο την επιφάνεια των πράξεων και των προθέσεων που υπάρχει σε κάθε ανθρώπινη κίνηση και σκέψη υπάρχει αυτό που λέγεται ξεχωριστό και διαφορετικό βίωμα. Η ξεχωριστή αντίληψη μιας κατάστασης την δεδομένη στιγμή. Κάποιοι από τους ήρωες βίωσαν πόλεμο, εγκλεισμό, φόβο για την επιβίωση τους. Κάποιοι βίωσαν την απόρριψη, την προδοσία και τον υποθετικό παραγκωνισμό. Στις πράξεις όλων όμως κρύβεται πάντα το καλό και το κακό και ανάλογα με την περίσταση αυτό φανερώνεται ανάλογα με την ιδιοσυγκρασία ή την δύναμη του καθένα. Ο συνδετικός κρίκος ανάμεσα στο καλό και στο κακό. Η γέφυρα που ενώνει τις πράξεις των ανθρώπων είναι η συγχώρεση και αυτή έρχεται ξεκάθαρα σαν κάθαρση στο τέλος αυτού του ξεχωριστού βιβλίου.
Ένα βιβλίο που συμπυκνώνει μυστήριο, αγωνία, δυνατές και ανατρεπτικές εξελίξεις μέχρι την τελευταία αράδα. Χιούμορ που δίνουν ανάσα στο έντονα φορτισμένο ορισμένες φορές σκηνικό. Κοινωνικοπολιτικές ενστάσεις και παρατηρήσεις. Και είναι και αυτό ακόμα ένα δυνατό σημείο του βιβλίου. Ο ρόλος που παίζει στην ιστορία η αναφορά στις Κοινωνικές αδικίες. Οι σχέσεις ισότητας των δυο φύλων. Η καταστροφή του περιβάλλοντος και ένα σωρό άλλα θέματα που μένουν κρυμμένα στην σκιά των μεγάλων συμφερόντων. Το πιο σημαντικό όμως είναι πως παρουσιάζει ιδανικά τον ιδεατό περιορισμό των προκαταλήψεων απέναντι σε ένα άτομο που πάσχει από μια ιδιαιτερότητα που κάποιοι την αποκαλούν ασθένεια. Έναν σημαντικό και ξεχωριστό ρόλο στο βιβλίο παίζει ο Michelle, ένας ενήλικας που πάσχει από το Σύνδρομο Άσπεργκερ και ζει μια φυσιολογική ζωή που του επιτρέπει να αφήνει γύρω του το δικό του προσωπικό στίγμα που θα καθορίσει εν πολλοίς και την ιστορία μας.
Απο το Λονδίνο στην Βαλτιμόρη. Απο το Κεμπέκ στην Νέα Υόρκη. Απο την κατεχόμενη Γαλλία του 1944 στα χρόνια της μεγάλης ελευθερίας του 1980. Από τα δύσκολα χρόνια της κατοχής στα χρόνια που είχες το δικαίωμα να επιλέξεις την δικιά σου πορεία στην ζωή. Για όλα όμως υπάρχει ένα τίμημα που οι ήρωες το πληρώνουν και με το παραπάνω. Σε μια αναζήτηση της δικιάς τους προσωπικής αλήθειας όλοι οι ήρωες πρωτεύοντες και δευτερεύοντες θα αποφασίσουν αν θα συγχωρέσουν ή απλά θα αποδεκτούν την διαφορετική εκδοχή των όσων γνώριζαν ως τώρα.
https://vivlionerga.blogspot.com/2019...
Η δημοσιογράφος Eleanor-Rigby Donovan, ζεί στο Λονδίνο, όταν δεν ταξιδεύει σε όλον τον κόσμο. Η ζωή της αναστατώνεται όταν λαμβάνει μια επιστολή στην οποία ο συντάκτης υπονοεί πως η μητέρα της είχε συμμετοχή σε ένα έγκλημα στο παρελθόν. Μια επιστολή γραμμένη με πονηρό τρόπο, ώστε να κρύβει την ταυτότητα του αποστολέα, αλλά και τις πραγματικές προθέσεις του. Δεδομένου ότι η μητέρα της Eleanor-Rigby έχει πεθάνει και μην θέλοντας να αναστατώσει τον πατέρα της, εκείνη θα αρχίσει να ψάχνει στα τυφλά αρπάζοντας τις μικρές ενδείξεις που υπάρχουν στην επιστολή. Βάζοντας αρχικά στο παιχνίδι τον δίδυμο αδερφό της και την μικρότερη αδερφή της.
Την ίδια ώρα μια επιστολή αντίστοιχη φτάνει στα χέρια του George Harrison Collins, ενός ξυλουργού που ζεί σε μια επαρχιακή πόλη στο Κεμπέκ του Καναδά. Σε αυτόν υποδεικνύει ο αποστολέας, με εύσχημο και προσχηματικό τρόπο την κρυμμένη αλήθεια για τον πατέρα του, που δεν γνώρισε ποτέ. Με μοναδικό σκοπό να αποκαλύψει την ταυτότητα του πατέρα του θα ακολουθήσει τις οδηγίες του αποστολέα που του δίνει ραντεβού σε ένα μπαρ ψαράδων στο λιμάνι της Βαλτιμόρης. Στο ίδιο μέρος και την ίδια ώρα ζητά απο την Eleanor-Rigby να συναντηθούν ο δικός της αποστολέας. Έτσι λοιπόν εκείνος απο το Κεμπέκ του Καναδά και εκείνη απο το Λονδίνο θα ταξιδεύσουν στην Βαλτιμόρη ώστε να συναντηθούν με το ίδιο το παρελθόν τους που συνδέεται αδιόρατα και να αποκαλύψουν μέσα από αυτό το πραγματικό πρόσωπο της οικογενειακής τους ιστορίας, αλλά και τις άγνωστες πτυχές του ίδιου τους του εαυτού.
Μια φωτογραφία στο μπαρ της συνάντησης τους. Ένα γράμμα που βρίσκει απρόοπτα στην τσέπη του παλτού της η Eleanor-Rigby. Ένας εκκεντρικός καθηγητής και η δύναμη της συνεργασίας των δυο κατ' ανάγκη συνοδοιπόρων σε αυτή την ιστορία, θα κουμπώσει εκείνα τα κομμάτια που μας παρουσιάζονται σιγά σιγά από το παρελθόν των οικογενειών τους. Χαμένοι μέσα στην άγνοια των προθέσεων του άγνωστου αποστολέα. Καχύποπτοι και διστακτικοί μπροστά στα άγνωστα κίνητρα του. Αλλά και επιφυλακτικοί ακόμα και μπροστά στις δικές τους αμφιλεγόμενες κινήσεις και προθέσεις θα ψάξουν την αλήθεια ανάμεσα σε αφαιρέσεις, σε διασταυρώσεις γεγονότων και μαρτυριών με την δύναμη της λογικής και την αξία ενός συναισθήματος δυνατού που αρχίζει περίεργα να τους ενώνει..
Με δυνατή κινηματογραφική πλοκή και καταπληκτικά τοποθετημένα φλας μπακ η σύνθετη αλήθεια μας φανερώνεται σιγά σιγά. Διώχνοντας μακριά τις παραπλανητικές εκδοχές και τις ψεύτικες εικόνες που έχουν στο μυαλό τους οι δύο πρωταγωνιστές. Και ενώνοντας ταυτόχρονα σε μια συμβιβαστική και λυτρωτική γέφυρα τα εκούσια ή ακούσια λάθη του παρελθόντος. Μια περιπέτεια κρυμμένη μέσα σε ανομολόγητα ενοχικά μυστικά. Ένας αδιευκρίνιστος θησαυρός και ένα χαρτογραφημένο μονοπάτι που οδηγεί αμφίδρομα στην μοναδική αλήθεια της ιστορίας που βρίσκεται κρυμμένη ανάμεσα σε μικρά ή μεγάλα ψέματα. Ο συγγραφέας κτίζει με μαεστρία την ιστορία του, αποκαλύπτοντας σιγά σιγά, τα κομμάτια που ενώνουν τις ιστορίες του παρελθόντος με τα κίνητρα του αγνώστου που κινεί πλέον τα νήματα στο παρόν. Οι απροσδιόριστες προθέσεις του, που μένουν σκοτεινές και αδιευκρίνιστες μέχρι την τελευταία στιγμή. Τα αντιφατικά και διαρκώς εναλλασσόμενα συναισθήματα που δημιουργούνται από τις συνεχόμενες ανατροπές στις κινήσεις και στις πράξεις των ηρώων, οδηγούν σε ένα φρενήρη αναγνωστικό ταξίδι με σκοπό να δοθεί το απόλυτο φως στα πως και τα γιατί των ανθρώπινων πράξεων.
Έχοντας διαβάσει τα περισσότερα βιβλία του Marc Levy, έχω να πω πως ο συγκεκριμένος συγγραφέας έχει κάτι μαγικό στην πένα του και στον συλλογισμό του. Συνδυάζει εξαιρετικά τον λόγο του, με το συναίσθημα που πηγάζει από το κείμενο του. Την περιπέτεια, την αγωνία, την ανατρεπτική και αναπάντεχη τροπή των εξελίξεων της ιστορίας του. Αλλά και το καθοριστικό μήνυμα που περνάει μέσα από τα βιβλία του, έχει κάτι ιδιαίτερο και σημαντικό να μας υποδείξει. Στο συγκεκριμένο βιβλίο ακροβατεί ανάμεσα στην αλήθεια και το ψέμα που μπορεί να κρύβει η πορεία μιας ζωής. Σε πολλά σημεία θα μπούμε στην διαδικασία να δικάσουμε τους πρωταγωνιστές της ιστορίας. Να τους κρίνουμε αρνητικά και σκληρά. Να δώσουμε λάθος όνομα στο πρόσημο των πράξεων τους. Όμως κάτω απο την επιφάνεια των πράξεων και των προθέσεων που υπάρχει σε κάθε ανθρώπινη κίνηση και σκέψη υπάρχει αυτό που λέγεται ξεχωριστό και διαφορετικό βίωμα. Η ξεχωριστή αντίληψη μιας κατάστασης την δεδομένη στιγμή. Κάποιοι από τους ήρωες βίωσαν πόλεμο, εγκλεισμό, φόβο για την επιβίωση τους. Κάποιοι βίωσαν την απόρριψη, την προδοσία και τον υποθετικό παραγκωνισμό. Στις πράξεις όλων όμως κρύβεται πάντα το καλό και το κακό και ανάλογα με την περίσταση αυτό φανερώνεται ανάλογα με την ιδιοσυγκρασία ή την δύναμη του καθένα. Ο συνδετικός κρίκος ανάμεσα στο καλό και στο κακό. Η γέφυρα που ενώνει τις πράξεις των ανθρώπων είναι η συγχώρεση και αυτή έρχεται ξεκάθαρα σαν κάθαρση στο τέλος αυτού του ξεχωριστού βιβλίου.
Ένα βιβλίο που συμπυκνώνει μυστήριο, αγωνία, δυνατές και ανατρεπτικές εξελίξεις μέχρι την τελευταία αράδα. Χιούμορ που δίνουν ανάσα στο έντονα φορτισμένο ορισμένες φορές σκηνικό. Κοινωνικοπολιτικές ενστάσεις και παρατηρήσεις. Και είναι και αυτό ακόμα ένα δυνατό σημείο του βιβλίου. Ο ρόλος που παίζει στην ιστορία η αναφορά στις Κοινωνικές αδικίες. Οι σχέσεις ισότητας των δυο φύλων. Η καταστροφή του περιβάλλοντος και ένα σωρό άλλα θέματα που μένουν κρυμμένα στην σκιά των μεγάλων συμφερόντων. Το πιο σημαντικό όμως είναι πως παρουσιάζει ιδανικά τον ιδεατό περιορισμό των προκαταλήψεων απέναντι σε ένα άτομο που πάσχει από μια ιδιαιτερότητα που κάποιοι την αποκαλούν ασθένεια. Έναν σημαντικό και ξεχωριστό ρόλο στο βιβλίο παίζει ο Michelle, ένας ενήλικας που πάσχει από το Σύνδρομο Άσπεργκερ και ζει μια φυσιολογική ζωή που του επιτρέπει να αφήνει γύρω του το δικό του προσωπικό στίγμα που θα καθορίσει εν πολλοίς και την ιστορία μας.
Απο το Λονδίνο στην Βαλτιμόρη. Απο το Κεμπέκ στην Νέα Υόρκη. Απο την κατεχόμενη Γαλλία του 1944 στα χρόνια της μεγάλης ελευθερίας του 1980. Από τα δύσκολα χρόνια της κατοχής στα χρόνια που είχες το δικαίωμα να επιλέξεις την δικιά σου πορεία στην ζωή. Για όλα όμως υπάρχει ένα τίμημα που οι ήρωες το πληρώνουν και με το παραπάνω. Σε μια αναζήτηση της δικιάς τους προσωπικής αλήθειας όλοι οι ήρωες πρωτεύοντες και δευτερεύοντες θα αποφασίσουν αν θα συγχωρέσουν ή απλά θα αποδεκτούν την διαφορετική εκδοχή των όσων γνώριζαν ως τώρα.
https://vivlionerga.blogspot.com/2019...
January 29, 2019
I read my first Marc Levy's novel (which was also the first one he wrote!) some twenty years ago.. It was sweet, but very short and simple. Reading "The Last of the Stanfield" I could clearly see how the author has improved his skills over time, that book is much longer and profound, with good characterization, a well crafted mystery and deep research (some of the story took place during WW II).
Maybe this time I felt there were even too many words, the first half was a really slow burner, which I usually do not mind, but in that case the author's writing was too straightforward and the characterization was ok but not so subtle to keep the reader's attention and interest for such a long time.. That's probably mainly my problem with french books. I can read them in the original language or translated but I never like the writing style as much as I do with English or even American books. But maybe that's just me!
Anyway the second half was really good, a page turner, and as I mostly listened to the audio version even the first slower part was ok with me, and the experience was overall an enjoyable one. I'll be reading something more from the author in the future, not waiting another twenty years!
Maybe this time I felt there were even too many words, the first half was a really slow burner, which I usually do not mind, but in that case the author's writing was too straightforward and the characterization was ok but not so subtle to keep the reader's attention and interest for such a long time.. That's probably mainly my problem with french books. I can read them in the original language or translated but I never like the writing style as much as I do with English or even American books. But maybe that's just me!
Anyway the second half was really good, a page turner, and as I mostly listened to the audio version even the first slower part was ok with me, and the experience was overall an enjoyable one. I'll be reading something more from the author in the future, not waiting another twenty years!
December 9, 2018
Incredibly implausible premise, but the author is supposedly the most popular author in France, and it was free, so I picked it up and persisted through 50 pages because the writing style is so engaging. Just too much suspension of disbelief to swallow. For example, in 1980 the book claims women in Baltimore were not allowed to be writers on papers, just researchers. I am sure that was not true. I knew the woman who was the Sunpaper restaurant critic in 1975. And one night a bunch of friends get together and decide to start their own paper, and one of them, who is an accountant for Procter and Gamble and not even in the industry, sits down and works up their business plan including staffing and pay that evening! See why it strains my little critical senses? So far the Maryland setting does not seem too true-to-life either, and I have lived here all my life. Butlers in Baltimore in 1980? Not even in horse country!
I find the author's bio also rather implausible. Why would an author who lives in New York need a translator? And doesn't he sound like a bit too much of a polymath? I am prepared to find out the bio is also fiction!
I find the author's bio also rather implausible. Why would an author who lives in New York need a translator? And doesn't he sound like a bit too much of a polymath? I am prepared to find out the bio is also fiction!
March 23, 2018
O enigmă care ne poartă în vara lui 1944, când Franța era sub ocupație, prin Baltimore și libertatea anilor 1980, apoi în Londra și Montrealul zilelor noastre. Nu avem o singură poveste, avem fire narative care se vor uni la sfârșit într-un ghem de secrete, acceptare și iertare. Mi-a plăcut foarte mult cum este structurat romanul pentru că îmi doream mereu să mai aflu răspunsul unei întrebări și eram extrem de curioasă să aflu cum se termină totul. Rămân la fel de îndrăgostită de stilul lui Levy. M-a surprins de fiecare dată și îl apreciez că a rămas fidel frazelor lui încărcate de tandrețe, de morală și de emoție. Subiectul este unul extrem de realist (asta o spun pentru cei care cred că el scrie numai despre moarte și reîncarnare)
https://ancasicartile.wordpress.com/2...
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