'The Virgin Blue' by Tracy Chevalier is a novel that alternates between two timelines, focusing on the lives of two women, Isabelle in 16th-century France and Ella in modern-day France. Isabelle, a Huguenot woman persecuted for her beliefs, and Ella, an American woman researching her family history, find their stories intertwined through family connections and ancestral ties. The book weaves together elements of historical fiction, mystery, and genealogical detective work, creating a compelling narrative that explores themes of family secrets, identity, and the impact of the past on the present.
The writing style in 'The Virgin Blue' is praised for its ability to vividly depict the settings in 16th-century France and modern-day France, creating an atmospheric and immersive reading experience. The alternating chapters between the two women's stories, the historical details, and the connections between past and present are highlighted as key elements that drive the plot forward and keep readers engaged throughout the novel.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include themes of historical violence, persecution, and discussion of abortion within the context of personal struggles.
Has Romance?
There is a medium presence of romance in the narrative, as both women experience complex relationships that impact their lives, though romance is not the main focus.
From The Publisher:
Meet Ella Turner and Isabelle du Moulin-two women born centuries apart, yet bound by a fateful family legacy. When Ella and her husband move to a small town in France, Ella hopes to brush up on her French, qualify to practice as a midwife, and start a family of her own. Village life turns out to be less idyllic than she expected, however, and a peculiar dream of the color blue propels her on a quest to uncover her family's French ancestry. As the novel unfolds-alternating between Ella's story and that of Isabelle du Moulin four hundred years earlier-a common thread emerges that unexpectedly links the two women. Part detective story, part historical fiction, The Virgin Blue is a novel of passion and intrigue that compels readers to the very last page.
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1 comment(s)
It has similar flavour as Tracy Chevalier's other books but don't isn't quite as great. Still is a good book and I liked that we looked at two different women through time but I wasn't mesmerized by the story and I didn't quite like the end with Ella.
What can you read after
The Virgin Blue?
About the Author:
Tracy Chevalier is the New York Times bestselling author of nine previous novels, including Girl with a Pearl Earring, which has been translated into thirty-nine languages and made into an Oscar-nominated film. Born and raised in Washington, DC, she lives in…
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