The Velvet Hours, Alyson Richman
The Velvet Hours, Alyson Richman
7 Rating(s)
List: $22.95 | Sale: $16.07
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The Velvet Hours

Author: Alyson Richman

Narrator: Tavia Gilbert, Kate Reading

Unabridged: 11 hr 27 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 09/06/2016

Synopsis

As Paris teeters on the edge of the German occupation, a young Frenchwoman closes the door to her late grandmother’s treasure-filled apartment, unsure if she’ll ever return.An elusive courtesan, Marthe de Florian had cultivated a life of art and beauty, casting out all recollections of her impoverished childhood in the dark alleys of Montmartre. With Europe on the brink of war, she shares her story with her granddaughter Solange Beaugiron, using her prized possessions to reveal her innermost secrets. Most striking of all are a beautiful string of pearls and a magnificent portrait of Marthe painted by the Italian artist Giovanni Boldini. As Marthe’s tale unfolds, like velvet itself, stitched with its own shadow and light, it helps to guide Solange on her own path.Inspired by the true account of an abandoned Parisian apartment, Alyson Richman brings to life Solange, the young woman forced to leave her fabled grandmother’s legacy behind to save all that she loves.

About Alyson Richman

Alyson Richman is an accomplished painter and her novels combine her deep love of art, historical research, and travel. Alyson’s novels have been published in 25 languages and have reached the bestseller lists both in the United States and abroad. She graduated from Wellesley College with a degree in art history and Japanese studies.

About Tavia Gilbert

Tavia Gilbert has recorded hundreds of titles across a wide span of genres, including Erica Spindler romantic thrillers, John Scalzi science fiction, Jeaniene Frost fantasy.  She received four Audies nominations and won three Audiofile Earphones Awards for titles The Obituary Writer, Sing Them Home and The Day of the Pelican.  In addition to voice acting, Gilbert is an accomplished producer, singer and theater actor.

About Kate Reading

Kate Reading is the recipient of multiple AudioFile Earphones Awards and has been named by AudioFile magazine as a “Voice of the Century,” as well as the Best Voice in Science Fiction & Fantasy in 2008 and 2009 and Best Voice in Biography & Culture in 2010. She has narrated works by such authors as Jane Austen, Robert Jordan, Edith Wharton, and Sophie Kinsella. Reading has performed at numerous theaters in Washington D.C. and received a Helen Hayes Award for her performance in Aunt Dan and Lemon. AudioFile magazine reports that, "With subtle control of characters and sense of pacing, Kate’s performances are a consistent pleasure."

Reviews

Goodreads review by Suzanne on March 02, 2017

This novel brings together two stories based in Paris in a heartwarming novel. Marthe, the estranged grandmother, shares her life story with her granddaughter Solange in 1940. The book alternates between the current life of Solange and the past life of Marthe. Solange’s life is just beginning while......more

Goodreads review by Diana on September 13, 2016

THE VELVET HOURS is captivating historical fiction inspired by the real-life Paris apartment of Marthe de Florian that sat untouched for 70 years. I remember being intrigued when the story of this "time capsule" apartment came out, and Alyson Richman did a beautiful job bringing it back to life. The......more

Goodreads review by norcalgal on July 06, 2017

I understand the author used a real life event as the jumping off point and inspiration to write this novel, but for me, once it was established that the apartment belonged to a former courtesan, I really didn't need to read further. That I did was a testament to my boredom and lack of anything else......more

Goodreads review by Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews on February 12, 2017

From 1898 to 1940 we meet Solange and Marthe de Florian. Solange is the granddaughter of Marthe and the grandmother Solange never knew existed until she was nineteen years old. Solange's father never knew Marthe was his birth mother until he was eighteen and kept Marthe from Solange until Solange's m......more

Goodreads review by Cindy on August 02, 2016

4.5 stars While I really liked the entire book a lot, the beginning and the ending were outstanding. The start of the book perfectly set the stage for the entire story, and the ending wrapped it up beautifully. The Velvet Hours focuses on the lives of two women: Marthe de Florian, a member of the dem......more

Quotes

“Two remarkable performances grace this romance inspired by true events. Tavia Gilbert and Kate Reading shine as Solange and her grandmother, Marthe…Gilbert delivers a youthful Solange, filled with trepidation…As Marthe, Reading is simply stunning. Her voices, her accents, and her emotions are utterly credible. The vivid painting of Marthe, the men in her life, a string of priceless pearls, a world on the edge of collapse, and the growing tenderness between two women make this an audiobook listeners won’t want to miss. Winner of the AudioFile Earphones Award.” AudioFile

“A beautiful and compelling portrait of two women facing their unknown past and an unimaginable future.” Kristin Hannah, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“A masterful mix of the glamour of the Belle Epoque and the shadows of impending war.” Lauren Willig, New York Times bestselling author

“Richman deftly weaves fact and fiction to create an enthralling tale of love and sacrifice in The Velvet Hours…Highly recommended.” Karen White, New York Times bestselling author

“The lush atmosphere of the Belle Époque and the stress of the coming war, the wonderful relationship between the women, along with the fascinating historical backdrops draw readers into a lavish, beautifully written novel.” RT Book Reviews (4½ stars, Top Pick!)

“[An] opulent story of passion and transformation.” New York Journal of Books

“Poses the idea that even the most well-intentioned life can hold guilt, and even the most aimless can find absolution. Imaginative, rich, and emotionally satisfying, The Velvet Hours is a treasure.” Jewish Book Council

“The intricate details of the clothing, social mores and interior decoration of the time have been meticulously researched, the meeting of different cultures is convincingly and lovingly depicted, as is the difference between the two women, the lives they embrace, and the men they love.” Catholic World Report

Awards

  • Library Journal Audio-in-Advance Pick
  • AudioFile Earphones Award
  • PopSugar Best Books
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