This is a tough one likely to divide fans of Elizabeth Bishop and challenge those who are not familiar with her writing style. Set primarily in Paris in 1937, it's an imagined history, with cameos (for want of a better word) of what happened during the only three weeks that Bishop did not chronicle in her diaries. Fans of novels about famous women will find this to be more or less a snapshot of a woman with an immense career; fans of Bishop might be frustrated by the same. Did Bishop really help rescue Jewish children? Her life has so many interesting aspects which are touched on but not fully explored. The writing can be occasionally frustrating but the images are terrific. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. Those not familiar with 20th century poets may find themselves searching the internet for more info and, hopefully, reading their work.

A melodic, uniquely worded historical fiction, based on journal entries and the life of poet Elizabeth Bishop. Focusing on a visit to Paris at the beginning of World War II (late 1930's), a journey with friends and acquaintances making an impression on her world. This book felt as though it held an unusual rhythm to it: the story teller appeared somewhat detached, yet, at the same time made keen, detailed, sensory/textured, and thorough observations of her experiences. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

Unfortunately, this book was a DNF for me. Between the writing style and plot, I could never stay engaged in the story. I was initially intrigued with the plot but it never held my interest long enough to continue reading.

My ideal is to approach each book the way I would a new friend, in a spirit of discovery rather than expectation. I try not to impose my wishes on either, but to recognize what is there. Paris, 7 A.M. was a challenge for me, as it was so thoroughly oblique that I couldn't really see it clearly.

It was not, strictly speaking, a historical novel. It was set largely in the 1930s, but the period details seemed incidental and very soft-focus. It was unlike any other biographical novel I've read, without any concern for the linear progression of events in the main character's life. We learn a great deal about Elizabeth Bishop's feelings in her young adulthood, with just a glance here and there at other periods of her life. Even the treatment of Bishop's sexuality is very subtle and implicit.

The book is so lyrically written that perhaps we're meant to feel as if we're inside one of Bishop's poems. If so, well done! That was my overall experience.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advance readers copy.

The writing prose of Paris, 7 A.M. was very different than all other books I have read, and though it did not flow as easily as I am used to, and though I did not find myself fully immersed, I found it to be creative, talented, and beautiful. It correlates with the story being told and the setting it took place in.

I received a free copy of Liza Wieldands "Paris, 7 A.M." from Netgallery for a honest review. This was one of the first books by Liza Wieland that I have read. I was disappointed in this book and didn't end of finishing it. The book starts off very slowly and the narrative is difficult at times to keep straight. I generally enjoy historical fiction but this one seemed very clunky and disjointed.

Elizabeth Bishop was a detailed diarist, but left no notes from her stay in Paris on the eve on WWII. This book novelizes that period, and sets an imagined story against the rich and interesting details of Bishop’s life before and after. I was pleasantly surprised by the seamlessness with which Wieland created her story of relationships with other women, French, German and American and a mission to rescue Jewish children spirited out of Nazi occupied Belgium.

I look forward to more from this author.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I've never read a book by this author & I'm sorry to say I probably won't another one. This book just was not my taste like I thought it would be. I love historical fiction but this style of writing i just didn't like. Thank you to Netgalley in exchange for my honest review

Before reading Paris, 7 A.M. by Liza Wieland, I could not have told you more than two things about Elizabeth Bishop.

She was a woman.
She was a poet.
According to Wikipedia, Bishop is considered one of the finest poets of the 20th century. It would be a shame to not learn about her life and poetry. Although, Paris, 7 A.M. is not an autobiography, some things in the book are true.

She did live in Paris in the mid-1930s. No one probably knows whether she helped infants escape the Nazis. I’d like to think that she might have but it is a work of fiction.

Most of the book takes place during the time when Bishop lived in Paris. Everyone is on edge because they know that a war is on the horizon.

I thought that this was an interesting perspective of Bishop. It has inspired me to learn more about her. I might even start to read and write poetry again after reading Paris, 7 A.M.

Read the book for yourself and see if you are inspired to do something different than you are doing now.

I was given this ebook by NetGalley in exchange for doing a review. All opinions are my own. Obviously.

“Paris, 7 A.M.” is Liza Wieland’s latest novel about the life of Elizabeth Bishop. After graduating from Vassar, Bishop spent time in Paris before the start of WWII. Bishop kept journals, but because there is a gap of time unaccounted for, Wieland imagines what she might have done those few weeks. In this imagined time, an older woman recruits Bishop to help rescue Jewish children, and she makes the decision not to include this time period in her journal.

While the novel dwells on this time period, other, other well known periods of Bishop’s life are also accounted for.

Wieland does an excellent job staying in Bishop’s head, using an almost lyrical quality to give voice to Bishop’s perceptions and experiences. Parts of the novel reads like a stream of consciousness, and not having quote marks around the dialogue can be at first disarming, though after a while, you get used to it. The reader is not sure if Bishop’s perceptions are accurate or based on what she imagined to be, which works for this type of book.

Even if you know nothing about Elizabeth Bishop or her poetry, this is a book well worth reading. I'd like to thank NetGalley for providing me an advanced copy.

Not sure why this historical fiction about the life of poet Elizabeth Bishop failed to keep my interest. This is usually my favorite genre and one of my favorite time periods but I felt like I struggled to keep the many peripheral characters straight and the storyline moving. Even Elizabeth failed to make me feel much of anything. The only time she came alive for me was when she was holding the baby. I debated not finishing it but kept hoping it would become more cohesive and enjoyable. Unfortunately for me it just wasn’t a good fit. Many thanks to Liza Wieland, Simon Schuster, and NetGalley for affording me the opportunity to read this ARC.

I won't be publishing my review online. I really wanted to get into the book and even read about 60% thinking it would pick up soon. The description was focused on pre WWII and saving Jewish children but even more than half into the book, I hadn't gotten there yet.

Let me just start by saying that I am usually a big fan of historical fiction, but this one wasn’t doing it for me. The story follows Elizabeth Bishop, an up and coming poet,as she goes on a overseas trip to Paris, France. Among her adventures, she is unwittingly drawn into helping in a secret Underground Railroad that is involved in helping Jewish babies escape the increasingly difficult situation in WW11 era Germany. Considering that this is kinda the primary climax of the novel, I felt like it was kinda missing some emphasis. The narrative style was somewhat bothersome to me also. The novel is written in a private journal style. I would have liked to see a more emotional connection with the protagonist and the various characters that she comes into contact with. Novel provided by Netgalley.

I really was excited to read this book but I hate to say, it just did not hold my interest at all. Thank you for the chance to read an advance copy. I just was very disappointed!!

Unfortunately this book and I did not have a good relationship. I found it tricky to keep track of characters and who was speaking at specific times. I love historical fiction and I think this is a great story to tell, it just didn’t work for me. I’m sure there are many that will love it!

Thank you Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
I was very interested in reading Paris, 7 A.M when I saw the description. However, this book fell short for me.
It didn't keep my attention for very long, and I really still don't know what happened. I was hoping for more.

I may not have loved this book, but overall it wasn't bad. I gave it 3 stars.
I enjoyed the imagery and the language that was used.

I did not enjoy <i>Paris, 7 am</i> as much as I had hoped to. The premise, an historical fiction novel set in a period of poet Elizabeth Bishop's life when she did not keep journals, was appealing, but the writing style turned me off. The inner thoughts of Elizabeth, to me, seemed self centered, whiny, and disjointed. The plot line was shallow, but for a brief episode of Elizabeth being recruited to help secret Jewish babies to safety in a Parisian convent. I was left not really caring for the characters or the plot. Cannot recommend.

I so badly wanted to love this book, the subject matter was certainly interesting. However, for me, the writing felt very stilted and because of that, I had a really hard time getting through it. It was fascinating to learn more about Elizabeth Bishop and the important role she played in saving Jewish children.

The premise of this drew me immediately. I love historical fiction and especially when the focus on the life of a real person. The “what if” premise always captivates me. This novel follows Elizabeth Bishop, poet and a woman trying to find her self and come of age. Likely the author decided to go with a very lyrical and poetic voice as the story is told through Elizabeth’s eyes. However, this made the story a bit hard to follow. At times I felt I don’t know what the context was and to be honest what exactly was happening. Overall, the story was intriguing and a very interesting perspective of a “American in Paris” but I felt I really couldn’t connect with the characters.

I actually do love historical fiction with a strong female protagonist, but this was not one of those books. This novel felt as if it was more about narrative style and atmosphere than plot substance. However, not having read any of Elizabeth Bishop’s poetry in recent memory, I couldn’t tell whether the dreamy narrative style of the novel was evocative of the poetry.

My distaste for the book might be attributed to its failure to meet my expectations. Based on the publishers’ blurb, I expected this book to focus on the three weeks missing from Elizabeth Bishop’s journal, during which she may have had some kind of adventure. Even after completing the novel, I couldn’t tell when those allegedly missing three weeks occurred, as the novel spent significant time in Paris and elsewhere in France. But that was only after a long lead up of time spent at Vassar, which wasn’t truly necessary to set the stage for the characters in France. Being unfamiliar with Elizabeth Bishop’s journals, it felt as though quite a substantial portion of the novel was invention rather than based in research.

Reading this book has not inflamed a curiosity to read more about Elizabeth Bishop or to borrow books of her poetry from the local library. In that sense, it also may have missed its mark.

I received this book as a digital advance reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.