The Women of Chateau Lafayette, a richly detailed and lovingly written novel, tells the story of three such women ... All three women are powerful figures in their own way, with strength far beyond what any of the men expect of them. What blew me away was not their strength — I’ve read more than enough novels and seen enough of the world to know how strong women are — but how distinct they are. They aren’t just any three women; Stephanie Dray has breathed life into her protagonists, making them far more than just flat figures on flat pages.
Intricately woven and powerfully told, The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a sweeping novel about duty and hope, love and courage, and the strength we take from those who came before us.
[Dray's] ability to create engaging narratives from history, incorporating rich details and fully drawn characters, is downright magical. Adrienne and Beatrice are both based on real women whose stories come vividly to life here ... It’s an epic, gripping novel, a powerful depiction of the way brutal conflicts based on prejudice and greed tend to repeat time and again. And through it all, Dray poignantly reminds us of the undervalued contributions of women throughout history.
Three women survive various wars in this ambitious, centuries-spanning outing from Dray ... While Dray often rushes into summary of the first two women’s narratives, the high emotions and careful plotting of Marthe’s story compensates. Historical fiction fans will want to take a look.
Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay[/caption]
