Inspirational. Beautiful. Courageous. Words that describe this book and the women who live inside its pages.

Adrienne

During the American and French Revolutions, Adrienne Lafayette didn’t just stand by her man, she used every means and sacrifice at her disposal to fight for his safety and for the ideals of liberty, equality and freedom that they both shared.

Beatrice

During the Great War, Mrs. William Astor Chanler parlays her husband’s wealth and reputation into drumming up American support for a European war that was tearing up its allies. Her efforts ultimately culminate in the purchase of the Lafayette family castle, Chavaniac, and its transformation into a museum to the Lafayette legacy, an orphanage and hospital for displaced children, and a monument in celebration of American-French relations.

Marthe

During World War II once again Chavaniac is a safe haven not only to school children of Occupied France, but to resistance fighters and to Jewish children hunted by the Gestapo. The examples set by Chavaniac’s most famous chatelaine lives on in the bravery of the women who have taken up her mantle in defence of liberty, equality and freedom.

Honestly, it took me longer than usual to get into this book, but once I did, the effort was completely worthwhile. It is essentially three biographies rolled into one, and told simultaneously as three interwoven threads. Thus, each heroine’s story is continually interrupted but another’s and often (usually) at a cliffhanging point.

My favourite of the three is Adrienne. Married at the age of sixteen to the equally young and idealistic Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette, Adrienne Lafayette demonstrated great love, ingenuity, faith and honour in all her actions. History remembers her as the mother of two nations. The hero Lafayette remembered her as his “dear heart”. Their love story is poignant and memorable.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette is an absolutely amazing must-read women’s historical fiction. I would give it more than 5 stars if I could!

Do NOT miss this book! A meticulously researched book about Lafayette’s wife, Adrienne another woman Beatrice Chanler and a fictitious charachter who is a compilation of women who were at the Chateau during WWII. Not just another war book. These people all had a connection to Lafayette’s chateau and the historical importance of the way it was used to help the French people.

Each character tells her story, Adrienne in the mid to late 1700’s which includes her life as a French aristocrat and tells the history of that country and some of the history of the USA. Beatrice’s story is the early to mid 1900’s and tells the story of a US born woman who marries an heir to the Chanler and Astor families of New York. Marthe is not a real person, but tells the story of the happenings at the chateau during WWII.

Stephanie Dray has done an amazing job of telling the story of these 3 women and about the history of France in such a way that you will not want to put this book down.

Thank you to Netgalley and to Berkley Publishing Group for this ARC of The Women of Chateau Lafayette.

I was drawn into this story by the three different time periods in France and the three different women POVs that would take me through them. You can definitely tell the author put in a tremendous amount of research to tell the stories of these women, not detail seemed to be left out. A lot of points I found myself just staring at the pages and going back to see if I even read them because it felt like it was just dragging on for me. I loved Adrienne's story, to be honest if this book would've just been about her I think I could've ended this with a 5 star read, but the other two women I just didn't feel that invested in. I wanted to skim over their parts to get to Adrienne. I liked seeing how the stories weaved together despite being so far apart. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who likes historical fiction that leans a lot on the details aspect or to anyone that is interested in Adrienne de La Fayette.

I am posting my review to Netgalley and to Goodreads now. I will post to my IG on pub date 03/30/2021.

The Women of Chateau Lafayette
This historical fiction book tells of the lives of 3 strong women who were involved with the chateau. The first, Adrienne, married Lafayette in 1774 and moved from her comfortable family home in Paris to his rustic chateau Chavaniac in the French countryside. Adrienne remained there when her husband went off to America to help the colonists fight for their independence against the Britain. She was also heavily involved with her husband’s activities in the French Revolution and its consequences.
The next woman is Beatrice and she was the wealthy wife of a adventurer. She found herself running the hospital for seriously ill children that her husband helped her purchase in 1914. This was right before WWI and the chateau eventually admitted orphans who lost their parents in the war.
Finally met the third woman, Marte in 1939. She had been an orphan who grew up in the chateau and now taught there. We learn of what life was like after the French lost their fight against Germany at the beginning of WWII. We also learned of the French Resistance movement and the efforts to save French Jews. Her story continues until the war is over.
This is a long book but will keep the reader interested until the end. I studied French history but learned several things about the French Revolution from the book. It was well researched and the author explains how she found her information and some places where she omitted facts to create a shorter book.
I received this ARC from the publisher and Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

I did not love this book. For some reason, the story felt very long. Set in three time periods, with three women, starting with Adrienne Lafayette in the mid to late 1700s. Beatrice and World War I comprised the second story and the third was World War II and Marthe's story. It was difficult to keep straight the three women of the three time periods. The authors notes at the end of the book outlined each woman separately, with some chronology.

I was most interested in Adrienne Lafayette. She took care of the family while Lafayette was off fighting for the American cause. When he returned, the French idolized him until they did not and put him in prison. Adrienne continued on as best she could. Beatrice, a New York socialite, and ardent supporter of all things Lafayette, spent years in France, assisting the French in their efforts to defeat Germany. Her Lafayette Foundation, purchased the ancient castle and used it as an orphanage. World War II and Marthe, an orphan all grown up, now involved in aiding the partisan fighters and trying to save as many children of several nationalities, including Jewish children.

The story is told in alternating chapters and it seemed to take a long while to see how the three parts fit together.

Great historical novel based on truth which lends authenticity to the voices. Told from point of view of the different women in different eras, it gave an inside view on life during the wars and revolutions and also women's powerful roles in world events that we generally think belonged only to men. It made me want to go visit the chateau and walk in their footsteps.

Three women, three eras, one chateau. In 1774 at age 14 Adrienne marries future American Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. In 1914 Beatrice Astor Chandler is in a crumbling marriage and appalled at the US failure to enter the Great War. In 1940 Marthe Simone is a teacher and artist who was brought up and educated at Chateau De Chavaniac. She feels honor bound to to protect the castle and its inhabitants from the Nazis. The Chateau de Chavaniac plays an equally forceful role in this epic novel.

Adrienne uses the chateau and its environs to support Lafayette’s and her own vision of equality. Beatrice uses it as a place for sick children, especially those orphaned by the Great War. Marthe is one of those orphans who is searching for information about her past and comes to know herself and what is most important in this life. The length of this book is worth every page. Each woman’s story builds in intensity and inspiration. This book will be a great book club read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this arc in exchange for an honest review.

Encompassing three distinct time periods in history, Stephanie Dray has seamlessly melded them into one fascinating story centered on the Marques de Lafayette's ancestral home in France. The castle was transformed throughout history by the people who worked, fought and provided aid to others from its walls. Beginning with the young bride of Lafayette, Adrienne ,we are escorted through the political machinations leading up to both the American and later French Revolutions. Aristocratic Beatrice becomes a benefactor of the castle as it becomes a place for orphans in the years leading up to and through the First World War while keeping her own poor childhood and true identity a secret. Finally, we meet Marthe, raised in the castle orphanage who secretly fights against the Nazis invading her beloved France. We are drawn into each woman's story and marvel at their bravery in times when women were not allowed to voice their political opinions or personal convictions and certainly not expected to act upon them. The author has included end notes which discuss her research into these women and the periods in history in which they lived. An entertaining and engrossing way to meet these forgotten women of history.

With interest in learning about the French history, I have acquired several books on the subject. In reading The Women of Chateau Lafayette, I have found great historical points at which to start. The author Stephanie Dray provides not one but three points of view corresponding with three times in history and three heroines. Adrienne, Beatrice and Marthe combine to tell us what life was like during the French Revolution, World War I and World War II. Adrienne speaks in first person as the wife of Marquis de Lafayette and going from being a member of the aristocracy to someone on the wrong side of public opinion. Beatrice Chanler is a woman with secrets and a giving heart during a war where she feels torn between two countries. Marthe is a young woman cemented in place by her circumstances, but wanting to do more during the atrocities of an even larger war. All three are working toward liberty for France. Adrienne remains my favorite point of view given. Lafayette laments “Glory is a bittersweet wreath of both flowers and thorns. Your name, your house, your wife, your story—we are all now inextricably woven together with the cause of humanity.” These dramas all include and are anchored by the Chateau Lafayette located in Chavaniac, France. Therefore, the novel has views of French culture during these eras. The author’s note at the end shows that there was an incredible amount of detailed research and thought put into this book. As with Dray’s other writing, I so enjoyed the information and personalities brought to light by this novel and highly recommend it for historical fiction and French genre lovers alike.

An epic saga that was so fun to read!

This book follows three strong women throughout history:
1. 1774, Adrienne - the wife of Lafayette, and his partner in working towards independence in France, as well as supporting efforts in the U.S.
2. 1914, Beatrice - a strong woman fighting the war efforts both at home and abroad
3. 1940, Marthe - a woman who was an orphan and now teaches and shares art with children, all while dealing with the new Nazi occupation.

While this book is very long in length, the story sweeps you away to these important times in history. I loved seeing the stories weave together, but I also loved reading about these strong women making their mark on history.

This book tells the story of three remarkable women, two of whom are actual persons. I loved the triple weave, though it almost got too fractured in the end, until it wrapped up with a bang. They are all remarkable but Adrienne Lafayette stood out as supremely heroic! Of course she was, married to her husband. Perhaps it’s rather, of course he was heroic, married to her!

I’ve long been a Lafayette fan, and I knew some details of his life in the Terror but not this full picture. It was also awesome to see what Beatrice did with Lafayette’s home, and to learn of the stoic patriotism of the villagers, even through WWII. As we’re seeing played out in this most difficult of years, there truly are still heroes and heroines walking this earth.

Thank you to Berkley for providing a copy for an honest review.

Read if you: Want a moving and captivating historical epic following three women during three pivotal moments in France's history.

Don't be daunted by its length; you will immediately become fully invested in the characters and storyline.

Librarians/booksellers: Your historical fiction fans will love this, especially those that enjoy stories of strong and courageous women.

Many thanks to Berkeley Publishing Group and NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you, Netgalley, for allowing me to review this book. This book was a good read! I have been drawn more to historical fiction lately and this one was a hit for my reading taste. This saga is one that you will want to put on your reading list. This book spans over several wars and several women. The stories of the women can draw you in. Be prepared to stay a while.

This book is great! Would definitely recommend. Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Despite its length, I flew through all 576 pages in just a few days. The only reason it wasn't faster was that every time I read about Lafayette, I had to sing a song from Hamilton the Musical in my head or listen to the soundtrack. 

I LOVE longer books because they give the author time to really develop every character. And with three different eras and multiple leading ladies, Stephanie Dray did an incredible job giving each woman her time in the limelight. The book is based on 

1774 Adrienne was merely a child when an arranged marriage paired her with Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette. There was no way to know that the two would fall deeply in love and their political partnership would spark a revolution in France, upsetting the balance of nobility and commoners. Will she denounce her husband to save herself and their children?

1914 American socialite Beatrice Chanler's marriage to William Astor Chanler is anything but perfect, but he's given the divorced former actress a chance to put her past behind her. When WWI begins, she braves trans-Atlantic crossings to provide philanthropic aid, founding the Lafayette Memorial Fund at the Château de Chavaniac as a museum and school. 

1940 Marthe Simone was raised within the walls of Chateau Lafayette and remains as a teacher and artist. When the Nazis show up on her doorstep, will she take a stand or hide within its walls? 

My words can't do justice to how much I enjoyed this book. If you like historical fiction, you'll love this book.

I loved this one . Three different characters during three different time period and the life of one chateau and its history. She brings it all to life. With effortlessness.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me review this book

I cannot praise this book enough. Three women, three time periods, and one magnificent chateau brought together by Stephanie Dray. Now that is a recipe for success. I loved the women and the stories in ascending order from earliest period to most recent period. The characters were interesting and the descriptions well-written. The book is not available until 2021. Worth the wait.

I loved The Women of Chateau Lafayette. It's perfect historical fiction -- well-developed characters, fascinating plot, and brilliant writing. It followed three women, keepers of Lafayette's Chateau Chavaniac, in three different time periods. Every storyline was fascinating. I judge historical fiction by how much it prompts me to do more research and for this book, I'll be researching for months. #TheWomenofChateauLafayette #NetGalley

THE WOMEN OF CHATEAU LAFAYETTE held such promise and I was so excited to read it. Stephanie Dray is clearly a talented author and it's evident she has conducted a great deal of research for this project. The period details are outstanding -- and numerous, which takes me to my next point...

This book is massive. Since I had a digital file, I'm not sure of the page length, but I believe it's close to 600 pages. There's a ton of historical detail, so much, in fact, that it begins to bog the story down.

Ultimately, I feel the story would've packed more of a punch if it focused solely on Lafayette. The Lafayette storyline seemed like the one Dray really wanted to tell. The other 2 storylines weren't quite as compelling.

Overall, as long as you're willing to engage with a really long story, I recommend this novel for fans of historical fiction.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

This book chronicles the lives of three women of Chateau Lafayette, or the Chavaniac-Lafayette estate in Auvergne, France. I haven’t seen the musical Hamilton, and my knowledge of Lafayette is limited to what I can remember from history classes 50+ years ago, which is that Lafayette was a French royal who had something to do with the American Revolution and the French Revolution. So, here is a quick refresher of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de La Fayette (also Lafayette, which I will use here).

Born into a distinguished family in Auvergne, Lafayette’s ancestors included a member of Joan of Arc's army, one that acquired the relic of Jesus’ crown of thorns during the Sixth Crusade and a great grandfather who was one of the King’s Musketeers. Lafayette was also groomed to be a Musketeer. After his father died in battle, Lafayette’s mother moved to Paris, leaving an aunt to raise him at the Chavaniac-Lafayette estate. Upon his mother’s death he became one of the most wealthy royals, making him a most eligible bachelor. Jean-Paul-François de Noailles, Duc d'Ayen, soon arranged the marriage between Lafayette and his daughter, Marie Adrienne Françoise, the first woman in the story of Chavaniac. The marriage between the 16-year-old groom and 14-year-old bride was a marriage of convenience which soon turned to love, and the two worked side by side for the remainder of their marriage. Lafayette was drawn to the American pursuit for independence and liberty, taking up the cause and fighting in the American Revolution. Adrienne believed in the American’s idealsl also, and did her best to help the cause from France. After Lafayette’s return to France, the two made their home at Chavaniac and soon took up the cause of the French Revolution and constitutionality. The book chronicles Adrienne’s life, supporting Lafayette both behind the scenes as well as openly, risking her life to do what the Lafayettes envision as the future of France.

The second woman of Chavaniac is New York socialite Beatrice Astor Chanler. Beatrice was not part of polite society in 1903 as she was a stage actress and divorced. Nevertheless, she married William Astor Chanler, of the Astor family. While they were in love when they married, and loved each other in some way for their remaining days, their marriage is unhappy and the two live separate lives. During World War I, Beatrice turned her attention to philanthropy and co-founded and managed the Lafayette Memorial Fund at Chavaniac. The chateau was turned into a museum as well as a school, orphanage and medical facility caring for pre-tubercular, frail and malnourished children.

The third woman of Chavaniac is Marthe Simone, a fictional character. Marthe is one of the first children Beatrice places at Chavaniac. Marthe grows up at the chateau and becomes a teacher during World War II, hiding Jewish children and forging papers to keep them safe.

Dray is an excellent storyteller, and her work was done with extraordinary skill, intricately weaving the stories of the three women. Themes of duty, hope, love, courage, honor and strength are beautifully told. Absolutely captivating!

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