Carole DeSanti

Eugenie R. was raised in the countryside of France on a farm that produces fois gras. When a handsome and titled man professes his love for her she flees to Paris on the promise that he will soon follow. When he does not show up at their meeting place Eugenie finds herself left to her own devices and quickly trapped in the underbelly of Parisian society. Through Eugenie’s eyes we witness Paris in the mid 1800’s, the artists, the bordellos, the politics and the scandals, but most importantly the treatment of women.

This book is historical fiction at its best. Despite the fact that the subject material, true to 19th century Paris, is a little tawdry and very gritty Ms. DiSanti presents the reader with a beautifully written novel. Eugenie’s movements from farm girl, to abandoned lover, to prostitute, to single mother is embellished by what is going on at the time. Everything fits nicely. I enjoyed following Eugenie’s life from “poor little me” through to a woman standing her ground.
… (mehr)

I guess I will have to give the author full credit for creating a vivid picture of Paris during the 1860s and during the Siege and Commune of 1870. The details provided have the ability to transport the reader back to an earlier era. However, I felt the description also obscured the plot to a degree. Eugenie's story seemed as much about the taste and texture of her times as it was about progressing the plot. This is clearly a tale for those who like description over plot, particularly since the ending left me wondering if the plot had ever developed at all.… (mehr)