The Paris Daughter by Kristin Harmel

*** My Review ***

“The Paris Daughter” by Kristin Harmel

Step into the streets of Paris in the late 1930s, where the air is filled with the aroma of freshly baked croissants and the sound of laughter from the bustling cafes. This is a time of peace and normality, with no signs of the tumultuous future to come. But beneath the surface, there are secrets and hidden dangers lurking.

Enter Elise and Juliette, two American women who have married Frenchmen and become mothers in this beautiful city. They are brought together by the unbreakable bond of motherhood, and their friendship is as strong as steel.

But their peaceful existence is shattered when Elise’s artist husband is arrested for his political beliefs. Under Nazi torture, he betrays his wife, forcing Elise to go into hiding. Before she flees Paris, she entrusts her daughter’s safety to Juliette, asking her to take care of the child and ensure her survival.

Juliette and her family take in the young girl, raising her alongside their own daughter. But tragedy strikes when an Allied bombing kills everyone in Juliette’s family except for herself and one of the little girls. The once idyllic life that Juliette had built for herself and the children is now in shambles.

The story raises difficult and heart-wrenching questions about motherhood, sacrifice, and survival during a time of war. Who will survive? Which child has made it through the horrors of war? These are the questions that will keep you on the edge of your seat as you follow the characters’ journey.

As you read this story, you’ll be transported to a different time and place, where the stakes are high and the decisions are life or death. You’ll feel the pain and anguish of the characters as they face impossible choices and heartbreaking losses. But you’ll also see the strength and resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.

Furthermore, the author skillfully weaves a tale that delves deep into the human psyche, exploring the complexities of guilt and its lasting effects. Through the characters’ experiences, we see the devastating consequences of carrying the burden of guilt, even when it’s not deserved.

As the story unfolds, we witness the characters’ struggles to come to terms with their past, and to find a way to move forward. We see how the weight of guilt can hinder personal growth and prevent individuals from fully embracing the present.

Unquestionably, the novel is a poignant reminder that forgiveness is a powerful tool, both for those who seek it and for those who give it. It highlights the importance of self-forgiveness and the ability to let go of the past, in order to find peace and happiness in the present.

The author’s prose is beautifully crafted, with evocative descriptions that transport the reader to the heart of the story. The imagery is vivid and powerful, making the reader feel as if they are experiencing the events firsthand.

The wartime setting of the story adds depth and complexity to the narrative, as the characters are faced with difficult and heart-wrenching decisions about motherhood, sacrifice, and survival. The book highlights the strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity, the value of friendship and the power of motherly love, as well as the emotional cost of war and the impact of one’s choices on others.

The descriptions of Paris during the Second World War are beautiful and immersive, adding to the emotional weight of the story. The contrast between the beauty of the city and the darkness of the war is skillfully portrayed, creating a vivid and realistic portrayal of life during this turbulent period.

However, there are several things that really bothered me.

As a reader, it can be frustrating when you can see what’s coming a mile away. It can make the reading experience feel tedious and predictable. In this case, the twist was so obvious that it felt like the book was almost mocking me for not being able to guess it sooner. It would have been one thing if the author had intended for the readers to know the twist all along, but the way it was written made it seem like it was supposed to be a big reveal. That can be disappointing for readers who were hoping for a more surprising plot twist.

Moving on to Juliette’s grief, while it’s understandable that she would be struggling after experiencing such a traumatic event, her response to it left me feeling angry instead of sympathetic. She seemed to give in to her grief in a way that was almost self-destructive, and that can be frustrating for readers who want to see the protagonist overcome their struggles and grow as a character. Additionally, I found the way the book portrayed the relationship between Juliette and another female character to be disappointing. It’s always disappointing to see women pitted against each other, especially in a way that seems unnecessary.

Lastly, the ending of the book felt like it came out of nowhere. It seemed like the author was trying to introduce another historical event just for the sake of adding more excitement to the story. But by that point, I was already feeling a bit fatigued from the predictability of the plot and the frustrating portrayal of grief and female relationships. The sudden introduction of a new historical event felt like an attempt to inject some energy back into the story, but for me, it was too little too late.

Despite the frustrations with the plot twists and characterizations, “The Paris Daughter” is still a touching and thought-provoking novel that explores the experiences of individuals during wartime. It offers a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made by families during times of war and the emotional toll it takes on individuals.

The book provides a glimpse into the lives of people during difficult times and portrays the challenges they face in making tough decisions. It is a moving portrayal of the human experience during wartime and is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers.

For fans of historical fiction and character-driven dramas, “The Paris Daughter” is highly recommended. It is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that will stay with readers long after they’ve turned the final page.