Rating: 
Summary: Disappointed that it's over!
Review: I read this book in about 2 days. I couldn't believe how it sucked me in! I read "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and thoroughly enjoyed it but had a little trepidation picking up another Chevalier book for fear I would be disappointed. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I felt for Ella, knowing that feeling of not being sure of the decisions you've made. I think most people have felt that way before. The book was beautifully written and so full of sorrow. I highly recommend it! I also recommend "The Kitchen Boy" for those with a taste for historical fiction.
Rating: 
Summary: A Mini-Vacation
Review: I look for books that will provide me with "an outer body" sort of experience where I become so absorbed in the storyline that I feel like I'm hovering over the characters in the book. This novel, with its dream-like quality, pulled me right in. Chevalier's novel takes place in the Toulouse region, which I visited last summer, but the focus was more on the characters and the Calvinistic conflicts than the regional charms. She pretty much nails the French intolerance of nonFrench-speaking visitors who are ignorant of their customs, but also shows how they can warm up when the conditions are right. The Isabelle story was detailed, rich and emotional, while the Ella story tended to be a bit shallow and at times tedious. The tie-in, however, between the two characters and of the past and present, motivated interest and kept the pages turning to discover how it all played out. When I finished the last page, I felt like I had been away for awhile and had returned from a rewarding journey.
Rating: 
Summary: Good but Not What I Would Recommend
Review: I'm somewhat conflicted about this book - on the one hand, it was a nice quick read and I was interested enough in the development of the stories to read the whole thing, but on the other hand it is part of that genre of trashy novels so prevalent today. When did it become abnormal for women to say no to temptation? What is this sick fascination with adulterous characters? It disgusted me and I felt like I had to completely put it out of my mind in order to get through the book. This is not to mention the graphic nature of some of the scenes. Call me old-fashioned, but I don't want to hear about what way the people have sex. I have recently spent some time in France, and I believe that any Frenchman would be appalled if they read this book. The stereotype presented is of rude French people who will not allow Ella to merge into their community no matter how hard she tries, when in reality the French are extremely flattered when you attempt to speak their language and will treat you very cordially. It is only with rude Americans that they act this way. In Ella's case, she's more than competent, while her very American husband fits in swimmingly. This is not realistic and was obviously just put in as another one of those ill-contrived "coincidences" to link her with the unfortunately shunned Isabelle (who, by the way, I felt very deeply for, but this has already been said by most of the reviewers). In sum: Buy it used, then sell it back. This is a satisfying enough read, but you won't want to read it again. Ever.
Rating:
Summary: I wish my first novel could be this good!
Review: I started The Virgin Blue yesterday evening. I finished it this afternoon. In her very kind e-mail, Ms. Chevalier warned me to "keep in mind that it was my first novel and I had a lot to learn about novel-writing!" Would that my first novel could be of this quality! In it, she introduces readers to those same facets that are found in her other two books: disquieting themes beautifully and truthfully dealt with, complex protagonists dealing with situations like real live women and a story line so haunting that it lives on after the book is finished. I have no intention of attempting to tell any about the plot, except that it is intricate and still believable, with surreal aspects involving linked past and future. You'll just need to read it for yourself! I highly recommend all three of Tracy Chevalier's publishied novels. This one might not have been as polished and beautiful as Girl With A Pearl Earring, but it was still a wonderful and well-written book.
Rating:
Summary: As good as Girl With a Pearl Earring
Review: 'The Virgin Blue' was written some years before 'Girl with a pearl earring', but was kind of unnotice so far. Not only after the huge success of 'Girl' did 'Virgin' received its deserved attention. The book tells the story of two women that live centuries apart but with something that ties them together throughout the years. Ella Tourner moves to France with her husband. Alone and with not so many things to do, she decides to investigates her family's origins. Eventually she'll come across Isabelle du Moulin --aka La Rousse. What binds these two woment together? Since the first chapter we are aware that both lives will change drastically, otherwise there wouldn't be a reason for a novel. Ella will face problems in being accepted by French people; while Isabelle will not be accepted the people form her own village. Both women try to find rendenption in love-- but it may not be the right place. Chevalier writes with confidence and brings us believable characters with heart and soul. The structure that she uses can be tricky for some writers, but in her hands it is useful --and she does have a point when she alternates the two stories. 'The Virgin Blue' is simple, but at the same time complex. I highly recommend for those who liked 'Girl...'.
Rating:
Summary: I am shocked that the primary review has been poor...
Review: ...because I found this book to be much more satisfying, and far more intriguing, than 'The Girl with the Pearl Earing'. This is a gem of a book, and one I will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: A stirring, satisfying read
Review: Tracy Chevalier's _The Virgin Blue_ tells the tale of Ella Turner, who moves to France with her husband and embarks on research of the Tournier clan, her French relatives. Woven into the story is a narrative from a 16th century relative, Isabelle du Moulin. As Ella digs further into her past, she confronts challenges in her marriage, the unease of fitting into French village life, and a recurrent nightmare tinged with a distinct blue hue. Isabella has her own marriage difficulties, as well as questions of faith and superstition surrounding her. Chevalier moves seamlessly through the two women's lives, writing so evocatively that it's easy to think that you really know these women--that they might actually exist. Bringing in accurate historical information from the Protestant Reformation and how it made its way through France, pitting the Hugenots against the Catholics, adds interest to the story. The real focus of the story is how these two women, relatives stretching across time, are bound up in each other's lives, how actions in the past come back to haunt the present, and how superstition and premonition blend in ways that both intrigue and damage the believers. This is definitely a quick read, but one that will keep you involved until the end.
Rating: 
Summary: what has literature become?
Review: This novel was appauling. If you like to read about heroines who promote and perform abortion, and who run away with their lover while pregnant with their husband's baby, then maybe this is the novel for you. For me, however, I find no redeaming value in that! I could almost handle that story line if Ella had a change of heart, or if it were a tragedy and we see that Ella made some mistakes...but none of that, just a sense of well, this is what she wanted so it must be the best thing. Ella is tunred completely inward on herself and while she claims to have some guilt for her actions, it's obviously not enough.
Rating:
Summary: A Mini-Vacation
Review: I look for books that will provide me with "an outer body" sort of experience where I become so absorbed in the storyline that I feel like I'm hovering over the characters in the book. This novel, with its dream-like quality, pulled me right in. Chevalier's novel takes place in the Toulouse region, which I visited last summer, but the focus was more on the characters and the Calvinistic conflicts than the regional charms. She pretty much nails the French intolerance of nonFrench-speaking visitors who are ignorant of their customs, but also shows how they can warm up when the conditions are right. The Isabelle story was detailed, rich and emotional, while the Ella story tended to be a bit shallow and at times tedious. The tie-in, however, between the two characters and of the past and present, motivated interest and kept the pages turning to discover how it all played out. When I finished the last page, I felt like I had been away for awhile and had returned from a rewarding journey.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointed that it's over!
Review: I read this book in about 2 days. I couldn't believe how it sucked me in! I read "Girl with a Pearl Earring" and thoroughly enjoyed it but had a little trepidation picking up another Chevalier book for fear I would be disappointed. I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I felt for Ella, knowing that feeling of not being sure of the decisions you've made. I think most people have felt that way before. The book was beautifully written and so full of sorrow. I highly recommend it! I also recommend "The Kitchen Boy" for those with a taste for historical fiction.
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