Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful book!
Review: I loved this book. I had already read Girl with Pearl Earrings and this one was so captivating to me! I fell in love with Isabelle and her life. Being of Huguenotes ancestors myself that escaped to Switzerland in the 16th century, Isabelle' story was so compelling to me. I had more trouble liking Ella, but I could understand her state of mind. And the end of the book... oh just wonderful!
I totally recommend this book.
Rating: 
Summary: I was blue
Review: OK....I loved Girl with a Pearl Earing. I enjoyed the history, story and the herione. In this book I also loved the historical aspect of the book, but hated the whinning herione, Ella. Ella whines about: France, French people, her husband and on and on. She has a great life and then sleeps with a french man she hardly knows? Come on!! I want to whine that this book is not that good and the reader has no passion for Ella. I really didn't care what she did or didn't do. Isabelle is another story. Loved the story set in old France/Switzerland. Loved her heartache and her story. Tracy should have forgotton about Ella and spent her time on Isabelle, Marie and Jacob. Now that is a good story!
Rating:
Summary: 1st Chevalier Book I've read....
Review: I recently purchased The Virgin Blue as the plot sounded interesting and I have heard much made over another of her novels, "The girl with the pearl earring." I began to read this book and could not put it down... This book definitely held me in thrall. I was fearful and upset for Isabelle, angry at her husband/MIL/Young Son, and ultimately sickened/disturbed at the ending of her tale. I actually did understand Ella's dissatisfaction with her husband. His constant looks at her skin condition and seemingly total self-absorption would have put me off as well. The author paints a picture of jean claude as someone who challenges Ella. Makes her strive to do more and seemingly doesn't care about her skin etc. Really sees her for who she is. What woman would not be thrilled by such regard? (not that I am advocating infidelity :>) I was disturbed and a little wierded out by the picture of Ella carrying that bag around towards the end. Seemed a little mental but hey... Overall, still a great book...
Rating: 
Summary: not great at all
Review: This book wasn't as I expected it. It was morally wrong, and put the worst kinds of thoughts into my head. i detested it. besides...through reading the story(other readers may disagree) i thought that the characters had no depth. ella bugged me because she was always running around with someone, and she never really said that she loved them. isabel bugged me for just about the same reason. i wish the book would've lasted as well as it began
Rating: 
Summary: Stunning
Review: At this point I've read 3 of Chevalier's books (Girl with a Pearl Earring, The Virgin Blue, and The Lady and the Unicorn) and The Virgin Blue is the first one I recommend to others. I was entranced by it from cover to cover. The other reviewers are correct - this is obviously a rougher, earlier work than the lauded Girl with a Pearl Earring. It's not without its flaws, yet I was captivated. I read The Virgin Blue while on a plane to L.A. last summer and was so enthralled that my poor traveling companion was virtually ignored during the entire flight. I figured out the "twist" just before it was revealed in the narrative and let out an audible gasp and whispered, "No!" My seatmates were amused; I'd completely forgotten they were there. When I finished the book, I sat in stunned silence for awhile, contemplating what I had just read. Read it and get swept away.
Rating:
Summary: Classic Chevalier
Review: I love Tracy's novels - a mixture of history and fiction. She really transports me back to the time of the novel which makes me not want to put her novels down until I am done with them. I felt Girl with a Pearl Earring was better but this one is definitely worth the read.
Rating:
Summary: I give up!
Review: I can't seem to finish this book. I love the story of Isabelle but Ella's story makes this book intolerable. I'm on page 170ish and just read that Ella is a midwife. I realize now that it was mentioned earlier in the book but I forgot. It's just not believable. Ella's character lacks self-esteem to the point of it being annoying!
Rating:
Summary: Didn't deliver
Review: This book had a lot to offer in someplaces but ultimately did not come together. The protagonist in the modern world never won me over, and the autor did not reslove what became of the person I learned to love in the story, old world Isabelle. All in all, this book felt like a draft that was hastily ended.
Rating:
Summary: A pleasant read
Review: I have to say I loved this book. I liked the fact that it switched back and forth leading you through two lives until the end to bring them together. While many say that Ella Tournier was not sympathetic, I found her to be. I could put myself in her place and feel the feelings she felt and sympathized. I enjoyed reading the historical aspect of the novel,so Isabelle's story did appeal to me more. I liked how Chevalier was able to make u experience the feelings of the characters in the book. I couldn't put the book down, always wanting to read more! It has been a while since I have come across a book with that ability. The only thing The Virgin Blue lacked was a strong ending. It left me somewhat disappointed and confused. Since the ones who have read A Girl with A Pearl Earring, which I have not, find this book to be disappointing in general, I suggest readers to read this one first. That way when you choose to read other novels by Chavalier you can be even more delighted rather than disappointed.
Rating:
Summary: Two women, not so far apart
Review: This is a wonderful story from an excellent writer. The story has two different plots running at the same time. One is about a woman living in France and Switzerland during the sixteenth century in the turmoil of the Protestant Reformation and the counter actions taken by the Roman Catholic Establishment during the St. Bartholomew's Massacre, to put the growing theology down. The second is about a woman living now, who goes to France thinking she is a modern woman with all the freedoms which have been earned by American women over the last forty years. These women belong to the same family and each bears a family resemblance which, genetics being the strong factor they are in our makeup, has carried forward through many changes in the family's lifestyle and even country.
I learned a lot about 16th century religious wars which, as a historian, whetted my appetite to learn more. I understand that Ms Chevalier has much experience in Medievalism. However, the real truth which comes out of Ms. Chevalier's writing is that, as much as modern women think they are more liberated and free than their female ancestors, men have really not caught up and we have to protect our hard won freedoms so that the future will be as good for our daughters and the things we (I'm 64) went to the barricades for will remain in place to give them better command over their lives. Another strong thread in this story is the idea that no matter how we try many times fate is more in command of our lives than are we. Marvelous book which makes me want to read more books by Tracy Chevalier.
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