Solid historical fiction novel. Liked the tie-in to the Michellin family (a famous family, but not one that is overwritten about). I also liked the multiple settings, which allow more culture and history into a single novel.

A historical fiction gem that gives us a insights into French colonial Vietnam during the 1930's. Karin Tanabe provides lavish details of Indochine, now Vietnam, and the stark contrasts between the excessive lifestyles of the wealthy occupied French and the indigent natives who work their factories and plantations.. The story is told through the alternating voices of frenemies Jessie and Marcella who share similar rags-to-riches backgrounds but are on opposite sides of the local politics where communist uprisings are growing as locals seeks to overturn French rule. As a Michelin by marriage, Jessie is torn by what she has sacrificed to reach her newfound wealth and her shock at the what she finds in the rubber plantations. Unaware that she has been targeted by Marcella for her family ties, the two women get tangled in all of the excesses of the wealthy, from an overabundance of servants to orgiastic parties and opium dens, before they face their inner demons and their true motivations. I don't usually find historical fiction novels to be page turners but the beautiful writing and twisty plot make this the exception.

I received this ARC from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!

I am certain, with it’s publication, that this very good historical novel will reach the wide audience that it deserves. I found that it’s time and place particularly interesting given our country’s unhappy experience of involvement in Vietnam as Indochina is now called. The colonial involvement of France that the book describes does give some understanding of the roots of the rise of Communism there. History aside, I admired the author’s writing of her characters very much. No rushing in her descriptions but rather a gradual revealing of who each is. I really enjoyed the book.

It is an historical novel set in Paris and French Indochina (Vietnam) during the 1930’s. A book I didn't want to put down! The book focuses on the history, colonizing and the communist uprising.

The foreigners are wealthy , plantation owners trying to maximize their profits , keep out communist workers while the locals work basically as slaves.

The characters are brought to life as you read about their desires, dreams and secrets. However the secrets of Jessie , one of the main characters is not revealed until the end of the story . The description of the country was beautifully written. The ending did not disappoint!

This is the first book that I have read by this author and cannot wait to read another.

I received the book from Netgalley for a review.


#netgalley #ahundredsuns #karintanabe #stmartinspress

When I saw that A Hundred Suns was based in 1930’s French-occupied Vietnam, I was intrigued. I haven’t read a book about that period that A Hundred Suns took place in. I have also been intrigued by Vietnam. To my recollection, I haven’t read any books that take place in Vietnam. That was a huge reason why I decided to read the book.

A Hundred Suns did start slowly and stayed slow for the first 60% of the book. I got that the author had to lay Marcelle and Jessie’s backstories, but it seemed a bit dragged out. Once the scene at the train station happened, though, the book sped up. The last 40% of the book flew by. I wish that the first part of it did.

There was a small amount of lag in the events before Jessie’s unfortunate incident at the train station. It only lasted about a chapter, and the author was able to get the book back on track. Other than that small lag, the writing flowed beautifully, even with two separate POVs (Jessie and Marcelle). The author was able to switch back and forth between their characters seamlessly. I loved it!!

I liked Jessie. She did come across as conniving at the beginning of the book. I mean, she convinced her husband to move to Vietnam. But, as I got to know her character, I could see how strong she was. Her strength was apparent in the last half of the book.

Marcelle was my favorite in the book. She was deliciously devious and pulled off her plan perfectly. Even when Khoi was having issues with what was going on, Marcelle didn’t. She was willing to do anything to get revenge. And oh boy, did she ever. I did feel bad for her, though. Blinded by her hatred, she let it overcome her. She also failed to see that Jessie had nothing to do with what was going on in the plantations. To her, Jessie was the more available of the two options.

I didn’t like Khoi or Victor. Khoi was an enabler. He talked a good game, but when push came to shove, he wasn’t behind Marcelle when she wanted to go to the next step. He kept switching back and forth, and it drove me batty. I didn’t like Victor because he knew what was going on at the plantations, and he contributed to it!!

I thought that the use of Vietnamese (or Indochinese) and French language added an extra oomph to the plotline. As much as I liked it, I do wish that there was a glossary to explain specific terms. I ended up having to use Google Translate a lot to understand so of the words.

I do want to give a small warning. There is drug use (opium smoking) detailed in the book. I did like that the author chose to show how casual people were about smoking opium back then. But there might be people who are triggered by it. There is also a scene from when Jessie visits one of the Michelin plantations, where she witnesses pretty gruesome torture. I like to think that I am immune to stuff like that, and that made me pause while reading.

The end of A Hundred Suns was terrific. As I said, the book took off in that last 40% of the book. I am not going to get into it, but I will say that Marcelle and Khoi got what they deserved.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was initially drawn to this book after taking a trip to Vietnam and was excited to read about many of the locations I had visited. The story based in 1933 is told in two voices, one by Jessie, the other by Marcelle. It was a difficult and divided time for Indochina, being colonized by the French, there were many communist uprisings and split differences of opinion and loyalties in the country.

The story's basis is around the Michelin family and their rubber plantations located in the region. Jessie and her husband Victor (part of the Michelin family) leave France, relocate to Hanoi and begin to run the plantations in Indochina to stop some of the communist uprisings and killings.

There are many secrets Jessie is running from and has hidden from her husband. Marcelle is deceitful with an agenda of her own and not the friend Jessie believes her to be. Communists uprising, French occupied Vietnam, murders, opium dens, lawlessness, abuse, living in a time where anything and anyone can be bought, the story holds much history and intrigue.

I enjoyed the story very much and gave it 4 stars. I took off one star for the less than stellar depiction of an amazing country. It is a stunning country that is larger than life with wonderful cities and immense jungles. Hanoi, Hue, Saigon, Halong Bay, none were done justice, While reading I didn't experience the vivid feeling of being there especially after having experienced it first hand. I can only imagine in 1933 it was even more spectacular than today.

This book has everything that I love in a novel. It’s historical fiction, a psychological thriller, and a well-written story. Taking place in 1933, we follow a rich family who has moved from France to Indochina (Vietnam) for the husband’s work in a large, successful family rubber plantation. Ethical questions arise for the characters (and the reader) about the treatment of the “coolies” who work there, and the treatment of this colony's culture. Readers will learn so much of what it was like at this time, in a culture that they may not have read about before.

A Hundred Suns has all the trimmings of a historical fiction - history, culture, a bit of suspense, and an array of interesting characters all come together in this enjoyable novel. Set in Vietnam during the 1930s, Jessie Lesage arrives in the French colony to begin the next stage of her life as the wife of Victor Michelin Lesage of the famous Michelin family, who has recently moved there to manage the family’s rubber plantations. Set to enjoy her new life with her husband and daughter in a place where no one knows her so her past can be a closed chapter, she eagerly dives into French colonial high-flying society. But someone knows her secret and before long, she is drawn into a web she doesn’t foresee - a tangled web of ambition, political struggle, love, and intrigue that threaten to shatter the careful cocoon that Jessie has created for herself and her family. Steeped in the history and culture of the times, the author does a fine job of portraying the parallel lives of the colonists and local people, the uneasy relationship that existed between both, and the inevitable collision that will engulf them all. This was an enjoyable read - fast-paced, intriguing, and informative - a great combination for a historical fiction! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Jessie travels with her husband and child to exotic Indochine. There her life revolves around a society of decadent Europeans, co-existing with the natives who work for them, amidst growing communist attempts to infiltrate and overthrow the government. The atmosphere is lush and oppressive, with a sense of imminent danger. Jessie has orchestrated this move in hopes of raising her husband’s status in his Michelin family and fleeing her abusive childhood memories and an horrific post-partem episode. When she witnesses firsthand the horrific treatment of the natives by her husband’s family, she doubts her sanity and her behavior grows erratic; opium becomes her solution. Karin Tanabe paints her protagonist into a corner that seems inescapable. Will Jessie find the strength and allies to fight her way out?

A wonderfully written historical novel spanning a time and place with which I was unfamiliar. Thank you for painting this picture for me of a time and people that was fascinating!

Thank you net galley for the advance reader copy of this novel. This was a historical fiction and dealt with a time and place not overly familiar to me--indochina about the time of WWII. The level of detail researched for this novel was excellent. This was not my first novel by this author and won't be my last!

Historical fiction at its best Indochine 1930s the people the atmosphere a haunting read a group of characters that kept me engrossed a very engaging read.#netgalley #st.Martins books.

What a wonderful read, centered on 2 women both have humble beginnings and both have married well and find themselves in Indochina (Vietnam). I enjoyed reading about Paris in the late 1920's to early 1930's in Indochina. The author took me along on this adventure and made me read more about the area after reading the book!

I don't want to spoil but if you are looking for a historical fiction book that can take you on a journey i recommend this one to you wholeheartedly!

A Hundred Suns
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was looking forward to this historical fiction, as I have not known anything of the rubber plantations in Vietnam or life there in the 1930’s.
Jesse, her husband, Victor and their daughter Lucie arrive in Vietnam in 1933, where Victor’s family owns the Michelin rubber plantations. Jesse has too many skeletons in her past, which she desperately is trying to get away from. These secrets are not revealed fully to the very end of the book and for me it took away from understanding Jessie’s character. Soon after the family’s arrival, it’s obvious that they are not welcome with open arms and some will go to extremes to make them leave, including Jesse’s so called friend Marcelle.
Although a page turner, I found this book disappointing. Jessie’s involvement from day one in what’s happening in the plantations didn’t ring true to me. Her lack of involvement with her daughter also felt strange, in spite of her frequent declaration of love for her.
Overall I can’t give this book more than three stars.
Thanks NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the advanced copy.

Enjoyed the historical context of France's colonial dominance of South East Asia and the problems it presented with the populous which gave rise to the Communist take over of North Vietnam. Also liked the "back stories" of the characters. However, found the current personal plots distracting

A Hundred Suns is an immensely interesting historical fiction, of a period seldom written about in novels, full of drama, excitment and betrayal.

The novel follows the stories of Jessie and Marcelle, who have similar humble beginnings, but through their marriages and acquaintances find themselves together in Indochina in the 1930s. Jessie's family has moved there for their business ventures with the Michelin company, and though she quickly makes friends with Marcelle, there is much more brooding under the surface of this new friendship. In a battle of human morals and righteousness, this novel takes us through their journey and the discovery of secrets, some long buried.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this novel.

This is a great historical fiction book. It opens on November 20, 1933 and we see something is really wrong with Jessie Lesage who is frantically searching for her husband and daughter in a train station in Indochine. The story starts again in September with the arrival of the Lesage family to the same place. The author is adept at setting scenes that suggests something is not quite right but the reader is not told exactly what. The suspense slowly builds as the days approach the opening time and all is revealed.

The setting and time was quite interesting. It deals with the rubber plantations that the Michelin family started so they could supply their own tire company with rubber. It's a time of political upheaval as communism was attempting to exert influence in the area. The characters are skillfully written with depth and believability. If you like historical fiction, you will love this book.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy from St Martin's Press through NetGalley. The opinions expressed are completely my own.
#AHundredSuns #NetGalley

A Hundred Suns by Karin Tanabe is an historical novel set in Paris and French Indochina (Vietnam) during the 1930’s. It is a fascinating look into the history and colonization of this region, focusing on the Michelin rubber plantations and the communist uprising.

In the expat world of glitz, glamour and wealth the foreigners live like kings and the locals are slaves. There is an undercurrent of violence and danger and everyone is keeping secrets. Everyone has something to achieve, and something to hide.

All the characters, but particularly the two female protagonists, are masterfully created and all so relatable in their suffering, desires, dreams and goals. They are all complex people with intricate past lives that determine their current actions and you easily sympathise with them all.

The descriptions of the country are beautifully painted, and you cannot help but conjure up images of the magnificence of the surroundings these characters find themselves in. The opulence is desirable yet hideous. The buildings are magnificent but alien and the countryside is breathtaking, but filled with poverty.

This is a novel filled with despair that expertly crafts together the themes illuminating slavery, political divides, loyalty and numerous other social issues.

I loved it! Definite recommended reading!

#netgalley #ahundredsuns #karintanabe #stmartinspress

I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Compelling, and beautiful. Set in the 1930s, we follow two women that find themselves in Vietnam. Coming from less than meager means, they find themselves in the middle of riches, lies, and secret. It was initially a slow start for me, but I'm glad I stuck with it.

In the 1930's Indochine becomes the new home for a young family, part of the Michelin empire, as we follow their experiences and adjustments whilst slowly becoming aware of a uniquely original plan to destroy them. The story unfolds slowly between two POVs and at the beginning things seem ideal for the loving couple and their beautiful daughter Lucie. This is a story that embraces the complexity of human emotions, life experiences and moral dilemmas. Through some close encounters with disaster as the tension builds and the evil plotting becomes evident a happy ending seems impossible. I cannot spoil it for others, but I was relieved at conclusion.

Net Galley Advanced Reader Copy