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57th out of 267 books
—
1,247 voters
Belle Epoque
by
Elizabeth Ross (Goodreads Author)
When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Desperate for work, she answers an unusual ad. The Durandeau Agency provides its clients with a unique service—the beauty foil. Hire a plain friend and become instantly more attractive.
Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when...more
Monsieur Durandeau has made a fortune from wealthy socialites, and when...more
Hardcover, 336 pages
Expected publication:
June 11th 2013
by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
Win a Copy of This Book
Belle Epoque
by Elizabeth Ross (Goodreads Author)
by Elizabeth Ross (Goodreads Author)
Release
date: Jun 11, 2013
Win a signed advance copy of BELLE EPOQUE!
When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her…more
When Maude Pichon runs away from provincial Brittany to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her…more
Giveaway dates:
May 11
- May 24, 2013
2 copies
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1076 people
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Countries available:
US and CA
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This book is absolutely fantastic. The time period has been clearly well researched and comes off as very genuine and fascinating, in both the descriptions of Paris, the life of the high society, and the voice/thoughts of the narrator.
There were some very lovely revelations throughout the book that moved me, and I came away from the book feeling very understood and validated as an artist and an individual.
The plot of the booked arced beautifully, the pressure building at just the right pace in b...more
There were some very lovely revelations throughout the book that moved me, and I came away from the book feeling very understood and validated as an artist and an individual.
The plot of the booked arced beautifully, the pressure building at just the right pace in b...more
I’m not usually a fan of historical fiction, but the concept of BELLE EPOQUE drew me in immediately: women rented out as ugly foils to society debutantes in 19th century Paris? It seems just absurd (and repulsive) enough to have been true! Elizabeth Ross certainly makes it feel true as she brings country girl Maude Pichon to life in this dazzling, Bronte-esque novel that lives up to the promise of its brilliant premise.
When I was teaching English at an all girls’ school, I would have added this...more
When I was teaching English at an all girls’ school, I would have added this...more
This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it,
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When I saw Midnight in Paris and a young woman is talking to the Owen Wilson character in dreamy nostalgic terms about "la Belle Epoque" I have to admit my curiosity was piqued to find out more about the era. True, it was a time of peace, prosperity and great art, but Elizabeth Ross's book explores the other side of the picture where the underclasses had little choice and most led a hard scrabble life. I had never heard of "repoussoirs", unattractive women who were hired by the elite classes to...more
I was lucky enough to read Belle Epoque and I can't rave enough about it. It's a beautiful, well written debut. Elizabeth Ross captures the bohemian world of Paris with a lead character who is strong but torn, who is seduced by a wealthy society but also wants to do the right thing. She's totally believable. I love the world of the Durandeau Agency where the privileged set is able to rent a friend. The wonderful thing about Belle Epoque is that it's a perfect novel for someone who finds historic...more
What a concept this author writes about. An agency of "ugly" women to serve as a foil for the french aristocracy. It follows the character Maude Pichon from her Breton roots to Paris and her adventures with the agency. She gets caught up in her role as a repoussoir to Isabelle DeBern and can't separate her real life with her made up life. As these things happen everything begins to spiral out of control and she goes through a bleak period until she finds the strength to fight back and take contr...more
I just finished ready Belle Époque and I have to say I thoroughly loved it! I usually don't read historical fiction, but I really enjoyed this book. It took me a few chapters before I was completely immersed into the story, but once I did I was just completely captivated. I adored the characters, the somewhat love triangle and just over all everything. I have only one complaint: the bits of French here and there baffled me. I'm a German student so I was a bit lost, but the English was usually in...more
This, and other reviews can be found on Just a Lil' Lost
Maude runs away from home to escape a future that would not be her own. She makes her way to Paris and answers a job posting before realizing that the job was to be plain. An unusual agency hires out “ugly” females to their rich clientele with the idea that when the rich are next to someone bland, they would look more attractive. Maude soon realizes that her client has hired her for her daughter, who has no idea that she’s paid for. The two...more
Maude runs away from home to escape a future that would not be her own. She makes her way to Paris and answers a job posting before realizing that the job was to be plain. An unusual agency hires out “ugly” females to their rich clientele with the idea that when the rich are next to someone bland, they would look more attractive. Maude soon realizes that her client has hired her for her daughter, who has no idea that she’s paid for. The two...more
Set during the building process of the now world-famous Eiffel tower, Belle Epoque is a lovely historical young-adult novel about beauty and friendship.
After running away from home Maude Pichon can't find a job in Paris. The only agency that will hire her is one for ugly girls. They are rented to society ladies that will look even more beautiful next to their deformity.
I LOVED the repoussoir (to repel in French) business. As stated in the Author's Note in the final page of the book, Belle Epoqu...more
After running away from home Maude Pichon can't find a job in Paris. The only agency that will hire her is one for ugly girls. They are rented to society ladies that will look even more beautiful next to their deformity.
I LOVED the repoussoir (to repel in French) business. As stated in the Author's Note in the final page of the book, Belle Epoqu...more
Maude Pichon grew up in the country and leaves her old life behind for the glamour of magical Paris. She doesn't have any connections when she comes to Paris and has to fend for herself. She responds to an advertisement looking for work and when she arrives at The Durandeau Agency she has no idea what she is in for. This agency provides the upper class with an "ugly" girl to showcase how beautiful their client is by having the two be out socializing together. Once Maude figures out what exactly...more
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Although I don't read a lot of historical novels, I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Aside from the fantastic premise, I loved that friendships between women played a key part in the book's plot and themes. The romance is fun, too, don't get me wrong -- but it did not overwhelm the far more fascinating story at this book's core. A truly unique debut novel that will surely find many fans, including me.
I've read so many books recently about the late 1800s and in Paris, but this one stands with all the others. like Painted Girls it's based, at least partially, on an article written by Emile Zola and is a fascinating look at both the aristocracy and the poor in Paris at a time of great change. wonderful characters, poetic turns of phrase, and fabulous setting suck you right in. Fantastique!!
Readers, you're in for a treat. Maude Pichon is not unlike Jane Eyre--plain and alone in the world, trying to find her way. In this beautifully written debut, a girl and everything she believes in is tested. A riveting read with delicious details about Bohemian Paris.
Great Young Adult historical novel about a young girl surviving in Paris as a foil. If you don't know what that is read on....to find out.
Fascinating historical YA novel. I'm not feeling eloquent enough at the moment to give it the review it deserves.
Love the cover...though I wouldnt described the girl on it as plain. :/
May 21, 2013
Salma (sockswithcreases)
marked it as to-read
paris? belle epoque?
YES PLZ
YES PLZ
3.5 actually.
3 1/2 stars
Reviewed for May 2013 Historical Novels Review magazine.
I enjoyed every moment I spent reading BELLE EPOQUE. A beautiful, clever, heartbreaking, and inspiring read.
May 22, 2013
Sonia
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May 22, 2013
Ms. Library
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Elizabeth Ross grew up in Scotland where she studied French and Film Studies at the University of Glasgow. After graduation she worked in the film industry in Montreal for several years, becoming a film editor. That career path eventually led to Los Angeles where she now lives with her husband.
Her debut novel, BELLE EPOQUE, will be published in June, 2013 from Delacorte Press/Random House. She is...more
More about Elizabeth Ross...
Her debut novel, BELLE EPOQUE, will be published in June, 2013 from Delacorte Press/Random House. She is...more
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May 16, 2013 06:11pm