THE WOMEN OF CHATEAU LAFAYETTE

by Stephanie Dray

Editorial Reviews

Review

“[R]iveting…We can learn from Adrienne, Beatrice, and Marthe’s stories, even as we’re swept away.” —Oprah Magazine

“Expert storytelling…highly recommended, sure to appeal to fans of women’s fiction, WWII-era historical fiction, and the musical Hamilton.”
—Booklist (starred review)

“This is a wildly impressive novel with characters who fly off the page. The Women of Chateau Lafayette unflinchingly describes the toll that war and the fight for democracy takes on us all. And perhaps more poignantly, it reminds us that we are forever connected to our past.”
—The Jewish Journal

“Stephanie Dray’s latest is a masterpiece, braiding three stories into a single tale of courage, humanity, and women triumphing in the face of overwhelming odds. Three heroines with seemingly nothing in common—a French Revolution Founding Mother struggling to preserve her family, a World War I socialite turned passionate activist, and a World War II orphan pulled into the French Resistance—turn out to have everything in common as they struggle through the chaos of three separate wars to forge a united legacy. The Women of Chateau Lafayette is destined to soar!” 
—Kate Quinn, New York Times bestselling author of The Alice Network

Find Out Why I Adored

“The Women of Chateau Lafayette”

Thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group for the Opportunity to read this compelling book.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Lafayette we are here! And we are still reading about you!

Thirty-six American cities and towns are named after for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette — the best-known being Fayetteville, N.C., and Lafayette, La. Countless streets, parks and counties also honor the French aristocrat who left his country at age 19 to enlist with George Washington in the American Revolution and helped win the war for America. I happen to live very near a Lafayette Township. I was eager to refresh my grade school knowledge of “America’s Fighting Frenchman”.

Actually, the new historical fiction book, The Women of Chateau Lafayette, is more about your wife, Adrienne, also of noble French birth and also a hero! Three women share their incredible stories about three wars in this epic saga. Adrienne lived during the American Revolution and the French Revolution. Beatrice Chanler, also a real and equally inspiring woman lived during World War 1. And World War II features the story of Marthe, a fictional character and composite of brave resistors, and the true story of the Chateau of Lafayette’s mission of service.

The stories of these “founding mothers” are told in alternating sections. Both Adrienne and Beatrice had such amazing and brave lives that I stopped reading at one point to see how much of this was really factual. (The author provides much background information about her diligent research at the end of the book.) Solid information, letters, and historical pieces are available about Adrienne, and through the author’s exhaustive efforts, much more information about the real Beatrice Chanler, society maven and exemplary do-gooder, is featured.

This is a story where the truth is more powerful than fiction! Adrienne and Beatrice were incredible- true to their missions, and true to themselves. They loved their families, their countries, and all who yearn for liberty and freedom. Although it is a long book, over 500 pages, it is well worth the read. The author makes the history, and her in-depth research fresh and larger-than-life.

Thanks to Net Galley and Berkley Publishing Group for an advance digital review copy. This is my honest review.

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