St. Barts 2018 #5 - First of all, I very much loved my particular Modern Library hardcover of this book.....they just have such a good feel in your hands as you carry it about! But this was a book about which i knew absolutely nothing as i began to read......and sadly, mostly through the 1st of 4 parts, i still felt the same way. A long treatise on the main character's upbringing in a collegiate faculty family, and the perils of such on her character and emotional state, as well as those of her 2 siblings. It did create a very clear picture that mapped out her responses and reactions to what else took place in her life after that, but it was a long slog to get there. Later parts in the book lead our heroine, Matey and her husband and 2 children to leave the comfort of their sleepy town on the Hudson River and head to France to help with the onslaught WWI was having on Europe prior to the US involvement, and we learn much about the horrors of war on everyday citizens of both Paris and countryside. Much thought and discussion as to the morality of war and how anyone should act or react when it happens.....pride and assistance to the soldiers on your side merely enable them to regroup and go out and become killers of others, etc. Certainly a potent topic, and one that was not taken lightly. Plenty of mixed emotions as to the eventual entry of the US forces in the European conflict.....what took so long.....was it their business to be there......etc. Ultimately, though, how does one survive such horror and attempt to pick up where you left off and move on with your life, especially with none of the previous questions ever fully resolved. Again, a very thoughtful book, but slow and tedious at times for me. It gave a perspective on WWI from an American in Paris point of view, which was intriguing, delving into the cultural and religious differences. Interesting, but no swift ride....proceed with caution..... ( )