Amandine Audiobook

" Interesting to read but not a great book. Follows the life of a young girl of Polish birth who is placed in a French convent by her grandmother just prior to World War II. The girl's mother (Andzelika) has borne the child (Amandine) out of wedlock to the brother of the woman who was her father's lover. Amandine is born with a heart defect, and Andzelika's mother tells her daughter that Amandine died during surgery to repair the defect. She then places Amandine in the convent. The story then concentrates on Amandine and Solange, the woman chosen to care for Amandine - their life in the convent and on the road as they head for Northern France after the German invasion. "

" I wanted to give this 4 stars, but was so unhappy with the end. There are so many unresolved issues. I also didn't like that the narration skipped around in a pattern that I never figured out. Otherwise, a great story line and generally a page turner. "

" Good, but not a page turner. "

" I almost stopped reading this one in the first few chapters, but I persevered and came to like it more. The characters were great and I enjoyed the look inside the inner workings of a convent. My problem was the slow storyline and the pretentious French vocabulary. (I'm fine with a certain amount, but this was way overboard. I mean, okay, it's set in France, just translate it! ) It was interesting to read about the responses of ordinary French people to WWII, though. I would have given the book three stars, but the cliffhanger supposed-to-be-thought-provoking ending just killed it, even though it did force me to think about what would really constitute a "happy ending" for Amandine. "

" Since my father was in an orphanage at a very early age I identified some of the scenes in the orphanage with stories he told. Heart wrenching story which touched me deeply. "

" Some of the characters were a little over the top, but the writing was lyrical, and the imagery was great. "

" Just dragged and dragged. Too creepy with incest for me. "

" Lovely story! Such a nice backdrop in Provence, and the way the story is told unravels in your head so coherently. You can really relate to Amandine and the situation. Possibly the writing style is not always to my taste, but it supports the story. Or maybe I just love the plot... "

" Beautifully written, haunting novel. Am anxious to read Marlena's other books. "

" I liked this book and thought it a good read with many character studies - It moves along slowly but kept my interest. I was annoyed at the end, somewhat as the author did not completely reveal the ending to the story. A very good read. "

" Very, very detailed, just not enough plot or dialogue to suit my taste. "

" Picked this up at the library because one of our family friends has a daughter named Amandine which is such a lovely name. I'm enjoying this book so far, although in some passages, the child's voice is simply not believable for a such a young child. Anyway, still enjoyable. "

" Absolutely beautiful is the only way to describe this book. So much emotion, many tears, want to read more! "

" Loved it! This is a very captivating book of innocence, loneliness and many family secrets. I was completely wrapped up in the story and in the little girl who survives her past and looks for her future. I highly recommend. "

" Beautifully written. Set between 1939-1945, the people & places of France are described in great detail - so if you like that era & area it's a good read. Being a story based around the war, it is sad, with small snatches of redemption. "

" Fun novel - good from the first to the last. "

" Great book but a little depressing. "

" Beautifully written. Set between 1939-1945, the people & places of France are described in great detail - so if you like that era & area it's a good read. Being a story based around the war, it is sad, with small snatches of redemption. "

" Good, but not a page turner. "

" This book was just ok. There was a beautiful story in there somewhere, but there were some completely unnecessary and inappropriate story lines. The ending was very abrupt and it left me a little cold. "

" A sweet story of survival and love in difficult circumstances. Great characters, lyrical writing, wonderful setting.--Lorraine "

" This was a bitter sweet story about a little girl growing up in a convent right around the time of WWII in France. Definitely sad, with some sweet parts mixed in. "

" Sad... I'd rather read happier books... that end happier.... "

" I liked this book and thought it a good read with many character studies - It moves along slowly but kept my interest. I was annoyed at the end, somewhat as the author did not completely reveal the ending to the story. A very good read. "

" ***3.5 stars - review to follow*** "