Reviews for A Cruel Calm
I just finished reading A Cruel Calm, Paris Between the Wars, and I have to say, it was such an immersive and thought-provoking journey! The way you brought Paris to life, especially during that interwar period, was incredible. Elisabeth’s story really pulled me in, especially as she navigated the challenges of love amidst all the societal and cultural upheaval. I loved how the historical figures like Hemingway, Coco Chanel, and Gertrude Stein seamlessly integrated into the narrative—they added so much authenticity and depth to the story.
Elisabeth’s struggles with love and loss felt so real and relatable, and I found myself reflecting on how the emotional aftermath of war shapes people. You did a great job exploring the question of whether love can truly be found after deep sorrow, and I think that’s a theme that will resonate with so many readers. The mix of romance, history, and culture made it a rich and moving read.
Thank you for crafting such a beautiful and poignant story.
The key lesson emerges: love is often intertwined with sorrow, but it is through the challenges and losses that personal growth and strength are found. The story reflects on the complexities of love and war, and how they shape not only the fate of individuals but entire societies.
Book Buzz Expert
Samuel Eliot Morison, |
What was love like in the era before annulments, reliable contraceptives and acceptance of homosexuality?
A CRUEL CALM, Paris Between the Wars visits an era of idealism and innovation on all levels when Paris was the cultural capital of the Western World. Politics, religion, social mores and a special time in history (1927-1939) determine the fate of a young Catholic socialite from Washington, DC as she tries to find out if it is only after great sorrow that love can come again.
Well Researched, A CRUEL CALM, Paris Between the Wars includes Lindbergh’s flight across the Atlantic and the huge crowds that awaited him at Le Bourget Aeroport; Gertrude Stein, James Joyce, Joseph Campbell and Hemingway in their own words; the Surrealist movement; lady pilots Bessie Coleman and Amelia Earhart; a train ride to Reno, Black Thursday; the ravages from the Great War and omens of a new war brewing, and much more.
This is also a story replete with historical detail, universal conflict, and sensational romance and could easily be adapted as a screen play.
 JADA Book of the Year | The first Edition, titled Forbidden Loves, Paris Between the Wars, won first runner-up in the category of fiction in the 3rd Annual International Print on Demand, “JADA Book of the Year” Awards contest.
|  USABookNews.com Finalist Award |
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