Daughters of the Prince

by Noel Barber

Book by Barber, Noel

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Historical Fiction, Historical, War

613 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Noel Barber was a British novelist and journalist. Many of his novels, set in exotic countries, are about his experiences as leading foreign correspondent for the Daily Mail. He was the son of John Barber and his Danish wife, Musse, and had two brothers: Kenneth, a banker, and Anthony Barber, Baron Barber.
Most notably he reported from Morocco, where he was stabbed five times. In October 1956, Barber survived a gunshot wound to the head by a Soviet sentry in Hungary during the Hungarian revolution. A car crash ended his career as journalist. He then began writing novels: he became a best-selling novelist in his seventies with his first novel, Tanamera.

Reviews

[Tracey- Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this is the first time I’ve not been very enthralled by a Noel Barber novel.
For me the plot was slow , the characters didn’t have any definition that made them interesting.
The historical setting of Paris and Italy during the 2nd world war was a good background, but not enough to make this a good read.

[Jill Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story, set in wartime Italy. It begins in Florence, the year before the war began. 3 flat mates, an Englishman, who narrates the story, an American and a German live opposite an Italian Prince with his family of 3 daughters. Inevitably, the 3 men fall in love with the 3 girls. The American is fortunate enough to marry his chosen Lella and return to the States before the war begins, but the Englishman and the German must both return to their homelands before their relationships can be formally recognised. All 3 of the men end up involved in the war in their various armed forces, but it is rather amazing how they each keep meeting up quite accidentally in the course of their war action. The 3 girls, too, all do their bit to serve their country and they, too, somehow manage to bump into one or other of the men from time to time. A fascinating insight into the war in Italy, and the intrigues of the Secret Service on all sides. There is passion, drama and suspense throughout the novel. It has that "hard to put down" quality.

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Daughters of the Prince" by Noel Barber, narrated by a painter turned spy during World War II, offers a humanized portrayal of the war. Barber's storytelling shines in its complexity, delving into the intricate web of personal relationships amid the chaos of the fighting in different parts of the war. The authenticity of this novel is brought to the reader by showing the characters' struggles, loyalties, and moral dilemmas relatable.

The book's exploration of the daughters of Prince Paul of Greece adds a dimension to the narrative, shedding light on both their royal lineage and the evolving role of women during wartime, and the complexity of the matrimonial relationships.

[Veroniek Isebaert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Encore une histoire envoûtante sur fond de réalité historique. Méga bon. Envoûtant, j'ai tout dit!

[Camilla Lindqvist]

Svensk titel: Ljus och skugga

[MaryAlice Stevens · Rating 1 out of 5]

I never finished this because there were so many details and characters and I wasn’t in much of a reading tear.

[Arwen56 · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mhummm ...

[Donna Boultwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't read any noël barber for years. I loved this book. I forgot how he transports you to another time.

[Carobe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ljus och skugga.