This book was so good. And it was definitely not what I expected. I expected a story about WWII and saving people from the Nazis or something along those lines. This book is actually the story of Lafayette's wife in the time around the American and French Revolutions, Beatrice Chanler who helped to provide care for orphans during and after WWI, and Marthe (who's actually the only one that's fictional) who tried to help save Jews from the Nazis during WWII. Marthe is an imagined character because there just wasn't much evidence available for that time period. This actually reminded me of Revolution which is one of my favorite books.

This could have easily been 3 books. But I quite like how the stories were told intermixed with each other. Every time you want to know what's about to happen to one character, the narrative switches to a different one. It kept me (frantically) reading, wanting more.

The author clearly did a ton of research, so she gets extra props for that.

I definitely recommend this one.

Three women. Countless acts of bravery and charity. Lafayette's legacy.

To be honest, I was in this for the story of Adrienne Lafayette. I understand that the other two stories are necessary to show how the family's legacy has continued, but I enjoy my French Revolution history.

If you're a fan of stories about strong women during times of upheaval, then this is definitely for you. This book includes perspectives from the French Revolution and the two World Wars.

The reason that I gave 4 stars is that I will recommend this book, but I won't ever re-read it. I found Adrienne's story to be engaging and heartbreaking (yes, I cried). However, I wasn't as invested in the other two women's lives. Maybe I've just read a few too many stories about the wars during quarantine?

Stephanie Dray leaves no stone unturned in her epic novel, The Women of Chateau Lafayette! The novel follows three story lines: Adrienne Lafayette in late 1700's including years of the French Revolution; Beatrice Beatrice Astor Chanler, the early 1900's New York socialite who rallies her government to fight for what she believes is right in WWI; and Marthe Simone in 1940's France, a teacher and resistor during WWII. Chateau Lafayette, ancestral home of the famed General Lafayette, serves as the backdrop and unifier of these three incredible women. Dray truly makes history come alive in this incredibly researched novel of female strength and survival throughout pivotal points in world history.

Stephanie Dray's The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a masterpiece. It tell the story of Lafayette's ancestral home in three different periods: the French Revolution, World War I, and World War II. Heavily researched and deftly written, Dray's novel combines historical accuracy with not one but three compelling narratives. Usually, when an author crafts a novel from various points of view, one (or more) of them is terribly dull. In this case, all three are suspenseful and interesting. If I could give this novel more than 5 stars, I would. Highly recommended, for every type of reader.

Like others posting early reviews, I received free access (no strings attached) to a pre-release of this novel through Netgalley. Not only do I give it five stars, I placed a paid order for the hardback coming out next March. I want this one on my physical bookshelf.

Like Stephanie Dray’s earlier books, The Women of Chateau Lafayette explores the lives of semi-famous women to reveal their overlooked impact on history. In this gorgeous novel, three heroines—Lafayette’s wife during the American and French revolutions, a New York socialite turned activist during World War I, and a reluctant French Resistance fighter during World War II—show courage when their world most demands it.

The result is a compelling, flawless tapestry of three interwoven stories. While you get your dose of history, you’ll thrill to the new, heightened sensibility Dray has achieved. These grand women are tempered into steel, but they are also flawed, tragic and touchingly human.

Readers with more interest in story than historical detail will find the novel brims with plot, quirky characters, mysteries, romance, family, and emotion. As it speeds to its highly satisfying ending, the Lafayette family chateau and its fabled American hero remain its touchstone, but the novel’s never trapped within those confines.

I found it uplifting, informative, and entertaining. Highly recommended.

Brava, Ms. Dray! You have surpassed your own stellar accomplishments.

This book was so well-written, engaging, and enjoyable all around. Thank you for the opportunity to read and review this book. I plan on sharing it with many!

Stephanie Dray did not disappoint me with her upcoming novel, The Women of Chateau Lafayette. This novel centers around three women who live in Lafayette’s home during three different time periods, all feeling the effects of war. Aside from a wonderful story line, Stephanie’s writing is eloquent and immediately pulled me into the story. Told in the first person voice of each woman during the Revolution, WW1, and WW2 it was so nice to read about women who have supported the men on the fronts throughout American and European history.

I'm game for anything Stephanie Dray decides to write. Her Cleopatra Selene trilogy is seriously one of the best HF series I've ever read. The author has the talent to set her novels in a wide variety of places and times, yet still make each setting and character feel authentic.

In this new novel, she tackles three women from different periods in history, and manages to tie them together in sometimes unexpected ways. The writing is excellent, the characters well drawn and events they lived through were astonishing. I would recommend this to practically anyone. If you like historical fiction, even in passing, you should pick this up.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette
by Stephanie Dray
Berkley Publishing Group
You Like Them
Berkley
Historical Fiction | Literary Fiction | Women's Fiction
Pub Date 30 Mar 2021 | Archive Date 30 Apr 2021

Excellent book! I highly recommend this historical fiction book. Well written. Thanks to Berkley Publishing Group and Net Galley for the ARC.

5 star

A historical story of the women who dedicated and put their lives at risk to help others, maintain the Lafayette legacy and the chateau where he was born through the American and French Revolutionary wars and WWII. The Lafayette Fund was established in America and provided the funds for the orphanage, school and hospital housed in the chateau. The fund provided funds for refugees and thousands of kits for the service men. Their motto: CUR NON (Why Not). This is a marvelous book about the sacrifices and strength of women with a purpose.

I love Stephanie Dray historical books. I really like how much I learn while reading the story. This book was amazing and an incredible read. The characters and the plot were amazing. I can't wait to see what see writes next.

If you are at all a fan of historic fiction that has even a hint of non fiction, read this book! The women of Chateau Lafayette are an inspiration that we all could certainly take note of, especially in our current world climate.

Going in, the book felt a bit slow to start but it pulled me in and I found myself staying up WAY past the time I should have so I could read more. That being said I am thankful for a long weekend to have been able to devote to it.

Honestly, if I could give this book more than 5 stars, I would. It is beautifully written, intensely well researched, and a joy to have read.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette abounds with wartime intrigue, superb historical detail, and unforgettable women you won’t soon forget, nor should you. A captivating page-turner from first word to last. I loved it!

Stephanie Dray writes a sweeping story that pulls you in and takes you back in time. The women in this story were compelling. The history of the whole thing came alive. A good book.

Thank you so much for the opportunity to read this book. I'll be posting my review on Goodreads and Amazon

The Women of Chateau Lafayette by Stephanie Dray is an amazing historical fiction that kept me riveted from beginning to end. This is a multiple-timeline novel that interweaves so effortlessly that it could only be written by Ms. Dray.

I have to admit I have been a fan of Ms. Dray for quite some time, so of course I was excited to be able to read her newest book. Would it love up to its name and her current portfolio? After reading this gem, I have to say, “Most Certainly!”.

This book takes the reader through the lives and adventures of three separate women in three separate time periods: late 1700s with Adrienne Lafayette (the wife and counterpart to the beloved and famous Lafayette of the American and French Revolutions), Beatrice Astor Chanler during the early 1900s of WWI, and Marte Simone 1940s France.

Each woman unique, fascinating, strong, independent, passionate, brave, imperfect, and duly impressive in their own rights. All women seemingly different, yet brought together through times of war, instability, loss, change, self-sacrifice, and a wonderful estate in the rural French countryside, Chateau de Chavaniac.

This is beyond a beautiful novel. There are no words to describe how I truly enjoyed my time reading about each of these strong women, their lives, loves, losses, bravery, and experiences during each of these monumental times. I laughed, I teared up, I gripped the chair edge with my heart beating fast during times of suspense, and I smiled during times of happiness. There are very few novels that can pull all of this off effortlessly, and this checks all those boxes.

I also loved the Author’s Afterword. I was able to see who were real, historical people, who inspired what characters, and what needed liberties were taken in order to weave a captivating tale. I learned so much more about Lafayette, Adrienne, Beatrice, and all of the other historical figures depicted all the while thoroughly enjoying myself. What else could one ask for in a novel? I dare anyone to read this and not fall instantly in love.

Beyond amazing. 5/5 stars enthusiastically

Thank you Berkley Publishing for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR account immediately and will post it to my Bookbub, Amazon, FB, B&N accounts upon publication.

I am posting a teaser listing to my Instagram account now, with the full review closer to publication as well.

Stephanie Dray is known for her deep dives into historical fiction, specifically tied to women of history that only get about 2 lines' worth in a Wikipedia entry. Lovers of her excellent previous book on Hamilton's wife "My Dear Hamilton" that she co-wrote with Laura Kamoie will also enjoy this title about the estate of Lafayette, American (and French...sorta!) war hero. However, Lafayette is clearly a secondary character in this novel--the center stage are the 3 women who guard the Chateau de Chavaniac over the centuries. I was most captivated by Adrienne Lafayette's story, who sacrificed her life for the sake of freedom and her husband's cause. Although this is a long book, clocking in at almost 500 pages, Dray's characters are human, flawed, and fascinating to read about. This could have been an extremely bleak novel, spanning the Revolutionary War, the French Revolution, World War I AND World War II, but the women's courage in the face of death and adversity is the running theme that ties them to both the Chateau and themselves. Highly recommended.

Thanking NetGalley for this exceptional advance reader copy!
Stephanie Dray is a rising star in historical fiction, from America’s First Daughter to My Dear Hamilton, and she is back weaving together the stories of three women at different moments in world history. The fabric comes together as the Chateau where LaFayette grew up, so each of the tales comes back to the Chateau Chavaniac in France. Dray’s works are always rich, albeit slow reading, with so much information to dispel, it can be hard for the normal reader to get through the build up. But for the lover of history, this is a feast. The reader can spend hours of extra reading as they google more information about the Chateau, the wars, or the characters. Be that as it may, Dray’s works never disappoint once through the first 3rd. The three stories each pick up in pace and excitement, and the reader goes on a fascinating journey and the stories intertwine. Historical fiction must come with much research and not published as quickly or often as general fiction authors, but when one is done right, it’s worth the time to savor,
5*

This a long and spell-binding story about three extraordinary, courageous women living in three different eras, doing remarkable things while protecting this castle in France. Kudos to the author for her research and descriptive writing. Best historical fiction I have read in a long time.

Three women, three eras, three wars, all connected through their tenacity and courage, along with their connections to the Marquis de Lafayette and his ancestral home; Stephanie Dray's The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a sweeping story of strength that will surely become a classic work of historical fiction.

Dray's exhaustive research is evident; all three women feel fleshed out and vibrant. My personal favorite was Marthe Simonson, an orphan raised in Lafayette's former-home-turned-orphanage/school/children's hospital turning to resistance during WWII (she was actually Dray's 'invented character, an amalgamation of various members of the rural French resistance). The alternating chapters also feature the real-life characters of Lafayette's wife Adrienne Noailles in the latter half of the eighteenth century and Beatrice Chanler, an American philanthropist spearheading charity efforts during WWI through her organization the Lafayette Fund.

I personally avoid most historical fiction set during WWII, as it often saturates the genre (and makes me sad), but I am glad that I decided to try this book despite 1/3 of it taking place during WWII, as it quickly turned out to be my favorite part. Marthe's sections paired especially well with Beatrice's, as many characters carry over from WWI into WWII, with Dray demonstrating the cycle of violence that propelled the first war into the next. The ancien regime/French Revolution content sometimes felt less solidly connected, but Adrienne's chapters read almost like foreshadowing to the struggles Beatrice and Marthe face over a century later. My really nit-picky criticism is there were too many ellipses -- characters thinking 'But what will happen next...' and so forth, sentiments which would've read stronger if they hadn't faded off at the end.

I found this novel even more impressive after reading Dray's afterword. The meticulous time she spent reconstructing these women's lives, particularly Beatrice (I won't go into any details because spoilers, but Dray discovered some incredible secrets through archival research and interviews with Chanler's grandson) is evident throughout the book. I also found the romantic relationships of each woman interesting, ranging from flawed spouses forbidden love interests.

[4/5: This is a wide-reaching work of historical fiction that centers women and their often-overlooked work during times of conflict. It is pretty lengthy, but I anticipate it will be a popular book club pick with many things to discuss. :) Fans of historical fiction will savor The Women of Chateau Lafayette, and the characters are so distinct that I suspect even readers that rarely select historical novels will enjoy themselves as well.]

Many thanks to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC!