The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray

The Women of Chateau Lafayette
by Stephanie Dray

ISBN-13: 9781984802125
Paperback: 576 pages
Publisher: Berkley
Released: March 30th 2021

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
An epic saga from New York Times bestselling author Stephanie Dray based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy in three of humanity's darkest hours

1774. Gently-bred noblewoman Adrienne Lafayette becomes her husband's political partner in the fight for American independence. But when their idealism sparks revolution in France and the guillotine threatens everything she holds dear, Adrienne must choose between renouncing the complicated man she loves or risk her life for a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

1914. Glittering New York socialite Beatrice Astor Chanler is a force of nature, daunted by nothing--not her humble beginnings, her crumbling marriage, or the outbreak of war. But after witnessing the devastation in France and delivering war-relief over dangerous seas, Beatrice takes on the challenge of a lifetime: convincing America to fight for what's right.

1940. French school-teacher and aspiring artist Marthe Simone has an orphan's self-reliance and wants nothing to do with war. But as the realities of Nazi occupation transform her life in the isolated castle where she came of age, she makes a discovery that calls into question who she is, and more importantly, who she is willing to become.


My Review:
The Women of Chateau Lafayette is historical fiction set in France (and America) during three different time periods: The French Revolution, World War I, and World War II. I think I would've enjoyed reading a biography of Adrienne Lafayette more than this since much of her part was shared as a summary of her life with a few scenes thrown in. She's a very interesting and heroic woman. Beatrice Astor Chanler made a huge difference during WW I, and it felt like she was the main story, drawing inspiration from Lafayette and setting in motion events that motivated the third woman during WW II. But Marthe Simone wasn't very likable, though she became more so as she found a cause (saving Jewish children by creating fake IDs) during WW II.

Historical details about the wars were woven into the story and brought the time periods alive in my imagination. Although we learned about the women's work, most of the scenes seemed to focus on strained relationships and scandals. Lafayette took a mistress. Beatrice had an affair. Marthe desired to passionately kiss her female best friend while she was engaged to a soldier (and her friend was married to a soldier) in a POW camp.

Most of the sex scenes were only briefly referred to, but there were a couple of detailed descriptions of Marthe and her husband having sex. There was occasional use of American bad language along with some bad language in French. Overall, the writing was good, but I only really engaged with the struggles of one of the characters. It's a long book if you're not really interested in two-thirds of what was going on.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.