The Mistress

by Philippe Tapon

Tells the story of Simone, the nurse and mistress of a doctor who is implicated in the death of a Nazi and whose family is also plotting against him

213 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Mistress is not so much a story of war as of the drive to survive, made sharper by forced deprivation. There is no romance here, no love, no sacrifice, no heroics. It compels the reader to consider whether these people and their actions are deviant or typical, to wonder how the self would react under similar pressures.

[Francis Tapon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is partially based on my family. It's written by my brother.

[Jerrine Regester · Rating 1 out of 5]

I bought this book in a little village in Provence. A lousy read, I am sorry to say.

[Shantria Holmes · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just really understand the story line.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Portrait of the liberation of Nazi-occupied France in which no one on either side is blameless.

[Zachary Love · Rating 4 out of 5]

while it starts with a higher vocabulary than I'm used to, I soon found it to be more a compliment than a hindrance. The book started slow and began to confuse me, but as you get past the first 20 pages, things begin to make since. I found it more and more interesting to discover more about Emile and Simone, then later Paulette, Rene, and Marie (who, for the record, I hated the entire book).

The writing style was different than I'm used to, but not confusing enough to give up reading. in fact, making it to the end proved quite satisfying. The ending both shocked me and put a smile on my face. While a lot of nazi war and France information and knowledge went over my head, it wasn't a deal breaker in the end. I recommend this book to anyone, of any reading level.

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some smart passages and sections cannot make up for a scattered plot and flat characters. Set in Paris during World War II, the story follows Simone and her married lover, a doctor. When authors choose a more artistic style over traditional storytelling, I find small details crucial to successfully creating a novel that is as much a story as a work of art. Those small details are missing here. More than that, Mr. Tapon assumes readers will be able to understand the implications and deeper meanings without any explanation, which diminishes what power this book would have as a commentary about the compromises and sacrifices made in the name of survival. Not recommended.

[Yanna · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning I didn't really like it, but I don't know why I wanted to know waht was going on for this mistress, and from the second chapter, the story starts and I couldn't close the book. I enjoyed it and I recommend it.

[Holly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. Just enough interesting detail to keep me reading til the end but no pay off for doing so. None of the female characters felt real. But killing the Nazi officer by sewing cheese inside his guts during surgery? Genius.

[Katie · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a bit confusing. I had the impression that the author wanted to use the tip of the iceberg technique, but he didn't give the readers enough information making it hard to figure out what was going on.

[Jennifer Dodde · Rating 1 out of 5]

http://literatehousewife.com/2009/12/...

[Marcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick and interesting read. Lacked a little depth. The ending was tragic but a little void of emotion. But still entertaining.

[Namrata Jain · Rating 2 out of 5]

aah, can keep you hanging till the end but really takes you nowhere.
What was I expecting anyway! =/

[Donielle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to this book on audio. I liked it.....but.... I didn't love it.....