This was a book completely out of my comfort zone and one that I would not normally pick up, so my review and rating is given in that context. It was good and the writing was enthralling, it just wasn't entirely gripping for me and was quite complex in places. The story follows Laure back in 1985 who finds herself in Prague working for a family as a sort of au pair. She falls in love with a musician but her love for him will only end up with tough consequences due to the austerity of the politics still running through the city. The story is also intertwined with Laure today in Paris where she has set up the museum of broken promises, collecting objects representing exactly that.
I loved the concept of the museum and I wish the book featured more of the museum or incorporated it more into the back story in Prague. It was such a unique idea that I felt it could have been used a little more. The writing was generally really good and descriptive, I can't fault that at all. For me, I just found the chapters that focussed on the austerity in Prague a little dull and slow. It was heavily set in the political and historical context of communism and post-war and although this meant I learnt a lot, it was a bit much for me at times. But, as I said, I don't usually read much historical fiction and I wouldn't normally go for something so political if I do. So I think those that like this type of thing would absolutely adore this book. I would therefore still recommend this, but only if you know this is the type of book you enjoy!
Thanks to Readers First for a copy of the book.
I loved the concept of the museum and I wish the book featured more of the museum or incorporated it more into the back story in Prague. It was such a unique idea that I felt it could have been used a little more. The writing was generally really good and descriptive, I can't fault that at all. For me, I just found the chapters that focussed on the austerity in Prague a little dull and slow. It was heavily set in the political and historical context of communism and post-war and although this meant I learnt a lot, it was a bit much for me at times. But, as I said, I don't usually read much historical fiction and I wouldn't normally go for something so political if I do. So I think those that like this type of thing would absolutely adore this book. I would therefore still recommend this, but only if you know this is the type of book you enjoy!
Thanks to Readers First for a copy of the book.