Five Quarters of the Orange

Amazon.com

In Five Quarters of the Orange, Joanne Harris returns to the small-town, postwar France of Chocolat. This time she follows the fortunes of Framboise Dartigan, named for a raspberry but with the disposition of, well, a lemon. The proprietor of a café in a rustic village, this crabby old lady recalls the days of her childhood, which coincided with the German occupation. Back then, she and her brother and sister traded on the black market with the Germans, developing a friendship with a charismatic young soldier named Tomas. This intrigue provided a distraction from their grim home life--their father was killed in the war and their mother was a secretive, troubled woman. Yet their relationship with Tomas led to a violent series of events that still torment the aging Framboise.

Harris has a challenging project here: to show the complicated, messy reality behind such seemingly simple terms as collaborator and Resistance. To the children, of course, these were mere abstractions: "We understood so little of it. Least of all the Resistance, that fabulous quasi-organization. Books and the television made it sound so focused in later years; but I remember none of that. Instead I remember a mad scramble in which rumor chased counter-rumor and drunkards in cafes spoke loudly against the new regime." The author's portrait of occupier and occupied living side by side is given texture by her trademark appreciation of all things French. Yes, some passages read like romantic, black-and-white postcards: "Reine's bicycle was smaller and more elegant, with high handlebars and a leather saddle. There was a bicycle basket across the handlebars in which she carried a flask of chicory coffee." But these simple pleasures, recorded with such adroitness, are precisely what give Framboise solace from the torment of her past. --Claire Dederer

Book Description

The novels of Joanne Harris are a literary feast for the senses. Five Quarters of the Orange represents Harris's most complex and sophisticated work yet -- a novel in which darkness and fierce joy come together to create an unforgettable story.

When Framboise Simon returns to a small village on the banks of the Loire, the locals do not recognize her as the daughter of the infamous Mirabelle Dartigen -- the woman they still hold responsible for a terrible tragedy that, look place during the German occupation decades before. Althrough Framboise hopes for a new beginning. She quickly discovers that past and present are inextricably intertwined. Nowhere is this truth more apparent than in the scrap book of recipes site has inherited from her dead mother.

With this book, Framboise re-creates her mother's dishes, which she serves in her small creperie. And yet as she studies the scrapbook -- searching for clues to unlock the contradiction between her mother's sensuous love of food and often cruel demeanor -- she begins to recognize a deeper meaning behind Mirabelle's cryptic scribbles. Whithin the journal's tattered pages lies the key to what actually transpired the summer Framboise was nine years old.

Rich and dark. Fire Quarters of the Orange is a novel of mothers and daughters of the past and the present, of resisting, and succumbling, and an extraordinary work by a masterful writer.

Customer Reviews:

A troubling story, beautifully told.......2007-08-14

Despite beautiful and sensuous prose, this is not an easy read. It demands perseverence from the reader but in the end patience is rewarded: it delivers so much. Its structure is composed of two parallel tales, one set in the present and one comprised of 40-year-old memories of German-occupied France. Harris pulls no punches as she examines the actions and motivations of people living in times that often demanded troubling compromises ... and worse. Few are spared. The role of the good mother is turned on its head. A cold eye is cast on the myth of the noble Resistance. Provocative questions are raised about the innocence of childhood. But the stories inexorably move towards their united climax to show how wisdom and love require acknowledgment of the truth, which sometimes is slow in revealing itself. The ultimate message of "Five quarters of the Orange" is that wisdom and love have their own schedule and it's never too late for either.

Fast and easy read.......2007-06-20

This is a popular book--though it was more popular in Europe than the States. It begins with a mystery. As the mystery unfolds, it reveals character and culture. The main action of the book is told as back-story. A middle-aged woman returns to her native community in rural France. The story is wonderfully atmospheric. The atmosphere is created through an infusion of delightful food and wine and snippets of WWII era French culture. It is no doubt a popular book with the Martha Stewart crowd. But there is a more sinister story, the real story involves Nazis and a community lynching. The story itself is unique enough to keep the Better Homes and Gardens aspect from overwhelming the narrative.

I think the only thing that kept this from being a great book was the author's reliance on mystery. She holds back information. And though this technique did move me through the narrative, and the author did eventually deliver on her promises, I could not help but wonder if the strong mystery aspect was not in someway making up for something the book lacked. I hate to refer to that old American classic, Gatsby, but I will. Where Fitzgerald used the mystery only so long as it was necessary, letting the device fall away to reveal a narrative driven by characters and their actions, there is little beyond the mystery in Harris's novel. Once the mystery is solved, the novel ends.

Sweet with a sharp sting.......2007-04-29

After reading Chocolat (before the movie came out), I wanted to try another of Joanne Harris's novels. I picked up Five Quarters of the Orange at an airport and was impressed. The story is woven into a compact and powerful book that looks at life in Nazi occupied France. In the small village of Les Laveuses, you discover the small town life that stills continues even with Nazi occupation: farms, harvest, the change of people to the seasons, love, hate, gossip, etc.
Framboise Dartigen narrates this story, both from a child's perspective and as an elderly woman. The two stories slide back and forth and give a vivid and powerful feeling of what life was like on that small farm and in that small village. The interactions between the family are drawn richly and with precision. An incedence when Frambouse is younger drives the family from the town, and she only returns many years later and under another name. The story unfolds to reveal the secret but not to the very end of the book.
The story is dark and the amounts of cruelty between siblings, mother and daughter is drawn with a sharp, slicing knife. Harris' writing uncurls slowly, like the pealing orange on the cover, the sights, sounds, and smells from her wonderfully chosen words draws you in. I must admit that the book does slow a little in the middle but gets it upward momentum back again towards the end. Many who loved Chocolat may be turned off by the dark tone of this book, yet it is Harris' skill at words and character development that really lend you to appreciate the story that is being told. I would recommend this novel for both the beautiful and ugly imagery it conjures.

A 5 Star book if ever there was one!.......2007-04-15

An adroit, mesmerising novel. I could not put this down, so astonishing and gripping was this story and Harris's subtle, impactful writing. I wanted it to go on forever, couldn't wait to get to the conclusion; the sign of a great book.

Refuses to let go.......2007-01-13

A French widow recalls her girlhood in a village beside the Loire, as she tries to keep the secret that caused her family to be expelled from the town. Joanne Harris is a compelling storyteller; I think there are only a few, and possibly none, who are better. Her stories gently capture the reader and refuse to let go. Along the way, she seems always to incorporate descriptions of foods and cooking that make me want to spend more time with my own cookbooks! This novel grips and tugs and compels, and what more could you ask?

Average customer rating:

Much more than a coffee table book
definitely the nicest Loire Valley coffee table book
The Chateaux of the Loire Valley
Spectacular photography! Superior quality book!

Chateaux of the Loire Valley
Jean-Marie Perouse De Montclos
Manufacturer: Konemann
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 3895085987

Customer Reviews:

Much more than a coffee table book.......2006-03-15

This is without a doubt the best book on the chateaux of the Loire Valley that I ever ever read (and I have read dozens). Given the superb quality of the pictures and the descriptions of the various chateaux, it is quite a bargain even at the full list price. Now that I think of it, this book is so enjoyable that the coffee table (or the night stand) would be an excellent place to keep it, not for show, but to have it handy to read whenever the mood arises.

definitely the nicest Loire Valley coffee table book.......2002-06-19

The book Chateaux of the Loire Valley by Jean-Marie Perouse De Montclos and photographer Robert Polidori is definitely the nicest coffee table book on sale about the beautiful castles of the Loire Valley. Besides being a superb wine growing region, the Loire River south of Paris offers a unique combination of beautiful landscapes and castles, which makes it one of France's most attractive regions. You should take at least a week or ten days to do a round trip. This book gives you an excellent idea of what to expect - or you cannot make it - what you are missing!

The Chateaux of the Loire Valley.......2001-12-30

This is a superb book and a great purchase. I was happily surprised at the excellent quality of the book itself. This chateaux collection is by Jean-Marie Perouse de Montclos author of 'Fontaineblue', which I had bought earlier and enjoyed thoroughly. Perouse de Montclos is obviously an authority in this so interesting and imposing a realm. 'Chateaux of the Loire Valley' is beautifully captured pictorially by Robert Polidori, this treat alone unfolds like some magical visual biography of France, and the world. I can't begin to tell you how much charm this book brings. The architectural relics and historical wonders are each detailed in the accompanying text. The history of Chinon, for example. There is a preface with the best chronology of the Kings of France I've ever seen. Never ending information and art photos about the castles, one better than the other. Including a profile of the unique Chenonceaux, with it's haunting echo of the fascinating Diane de Poitiers. With it's modest price this has to be one of the most satisfying books I've ever come across. You might also look up 'Fountainbleau' a literary and visual collection about the legendary French chateau by the same author.

Spectacular photography! Superior quality book!.......1999-09-19

We own this beautiful book. It is filled with high quality photographs, portraying the true beauty of the Lorie Valley. We are purchasing one more copy as a gift for a dear friend who traveled with us to Chenonceaux, and Chambord. Our personal photo's did not do justice to the true beauty of these castles.

This book will be on our coffee table, to remind us of the breathtaking experience we had, while being in the presence of such lovely architecture. I highly recommend this book!!

Book Description

The guide that shows you what other travel books only tell you!

Marked by the elegance of its beautiful chateaux, a mild climate, and delicate wines, France's Loire Valley conveys a relaxed appreciation for the good things in life, and DK's Eyewitness Travel Guide: Loire Valley beautifully relays that impression. In more than 800 full-color photographs and numerous maps, travelers have instant access to the Loire Valley and all its pleasures. Street-by-street maps highlight prime attractions, scenic roadways, wineries, tours, and museums. Chapters focus on architecture, art collections, spectacular gardens, and a brief history. The Travelers' Needs section compiles a list of hotels, bed-and-breakfasts, hostels, restaurants, and entertainment. This is a perfect guide to complete enjoyment of the Loire Valley.

Customer Reviews:

Save your money, or spend it on another book.......2007-05-30

I have purchased a number of DK Eyewitness guide books over the years, and this has been another disappointment in a long line. First, the books are heavy to carry (and pages can't be easily torn out). Second, the indexes are unreliable; some popular topics and landmarks are there; other equally-popular ones are not. Third, the pictures are pretty, but small, and the text description too little even on famous chateaux. Not much history, not much description, not much indication of why we should visit the place. The driving and walking routes plotted are no better than many others that are available, including on line, and much worse than some. The hotel and restaurant information is minimal, and tucked away in the back in a separate small section.
If you want basic touring information, go with Frommers. If you want more detail on history, art, and architecture, go with the Insight Guide which I loved (though they ought to be updated more often)--that makes a great on-site guide. If you want the ultimate in history, architecture, and detail, buy Michelin Green.

Love those Eyewitness Guides.......2002-11-14

Whenever I'm getting ready to take a trip, I check to see if there is an Eyewitness Guide for my destination. My husband and I spent one week of a two-week 25th anniversary trip in the Loire Valley and this book was our guide. I love that everything is divided into regions and that you get so many pictures so that you know what you're really going to go see. My main complaint with a lot of other guides is that you have to rely on a short written description and often when you get there, it's nothing like you expected.

There are numerous maps with the sites marked. They also include restaurants and hotels rated by price and region. There's a history of the region in the front of the book.

All of their guides follow the same basic format, so if you travel a lot, there's no surprises between the books.

My star ratings:

One star - couldn't finish the book
Two stars - read the book, but did a lot of skipping or scanning. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection or search out other books by the author
Three stars - enjoyable read. Wouldn't add the book to my permanent collection. Would judge other books by the author individually.
Four stars - Liked the book. Would keep the book or would look for others by the same author.
Five start - One of my all time favorites. Will get a copy in hardback to keep and will actively search out others by the same author.

Great style, but found lacking in substance.......2000-12-16

This book is almost great. Almost. It tries to give you the best of all worlds-- in depth tours; some local knowledge (restaurants and such); and pictures. As one might expect, the scope becomes to broad to do any of it well. I was disppointed with the tours it gave; it seems like it missed much-- so much so that I bought the Michelin Green guide while there. One of my main gripes is the size of the book-- its too big to fit in any type of pocket. It does however have a slick rain-resistant cover, and the cover folds to become a useful bookmark.

Excellent! I LOVE IT!.......2000-03-02

I rode my bike in the Loire Valley. This book helped me in planning the route (along with Michelin Green Book). Wonderful, alluring pictures! Wonderful color code/guide system. Interesting information on the differences on the variety of castles/chateaux and churches & abbeys. Detailed yet concise history. Provides different themed tours for walking or driving. Nice pictursque maps of old towns with interests. It helped me decide which villages to stop for the night. I highly recommend this book! I also have Eyewitness Travel Guide of Paris, London, and Amsterdam. I plan to buy more books on Greece and Italy for my next trip!

IF YOU LIKE MAPS AND COLOR PICTURES, THIS IS YOUR BOOK........1998-03-21

This is a great book for people who like lots of pictures and maps. It not only provides you with tips on travel (phonec calls,money ect) but it gives you insight into the different sections of the Loire. Each major attraction has one or more pages dedicated to it. The book really gives you a feel for what you will be seeing. It is one of the best guide books i have ever bought. I liked it so much i bought the one for Paris.

Average customer rating:

Item was sent very quickly and in excellent condition. Great Seller.
Great! Not your regular Christmas story....
----------A nice enjoyable story----------
Surprisingly Wonderful!
An enjoyable and uplifting read that is perfect for the holidays

A Christmas Guest: A Novel
Anne Perry
Manufacturer: Ballantine Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0345483804
Release Date: 2005-11-01

Book Description

Anne Perry has dazzled readers for decades with her gripping Victorian novels and has won new fans with her acclaimed World War I series. Perry’s thrilling Christmas novels, recent additions to her unique repertoire, are set in the most joyous season of the year.

In A Christmas Guest, Mariah Ellison, better known as the vinegar-tongued Grandmama from the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt series, makes a stunning appearance in a bracing story full of devious delight . . . and certain death.
For Grandmama Ellison, Christmas is no reason to celebrate. And when her daughter and son-in-law plan a Christmas vacation to Paris sans hers truly, the cantankerous Grandmama is forced to stay elsewhere–and travels to the chilly, windswept Romney Marshes to spend the holiday with Charlotte Pitt’s parents, Caroline and Joshua Fielding.

Grandmama is immediately miserable. For starters, Christmas with the Fieldings is nothing like the cultured life to which she’s accustomed, and the Romney Marshes are unbearably provincial. When Joshua’s cousin Maude Barrington arrives, Grandmama is at her wit’s end. Although Maude is well traveled and friendly, Grandmama thinks she’s improper and strange. But when Maude is found lifeless in bed, Grandmama senses foul play and takes it upon herself to assume the role of amateur detective–uncovering not only the truth about Maude Barrington but some startling truths about herself as well.

Enlivened with bold characters and vivid, witty writing, A Christmas Guest is yet another holiday novella with the perfect combination of mystery and murder mixed with a generous helping of yuletide cheer.

Customer Reviews:

Item was sent very quickly and in excellent condition. Great Seller........2007-01-19

Item was sent very quickley and in excellent condition.

Great! Not your regular Christmas story...........2006-08-12

I don't want to give away too much of the plot, but this Anne Perry gem truly SHINES. No, it's not your average Christmas story with predictable, shopworn plot devices. But being atypical is what makes it so great. Anne always delivers a great story and this is NO expection!!!

I love her historical mysteries...she puts you right THERE...you're always cheering for the hero or heroine, and her villians are really despicable...And if you're looking for a complex character, you'll be fanscinated with "A Christmas Guest's" Grandma Ellison...

Another atypical holiday story I thoroughly enjoyed was : "Christmas Gifts, Christmas Voices" by John Allen. It's heartbreaking, it's inspiring...and if you hang till the astonishing climax, it's comforting...

----------A nice enjoyable story----------.......2006-06-26

A CHRISTMAS GUEST is my first Anne Perry novel. Apparently the author uses the same characters in a lot of her stories and it took me some time to keep everyone straight. The main character is Mariah Ellison, almost always referred to as "Grandmama" in this book. She seems to be a very unlikable lady.

Grandmama lives with Emily her granddaughter in London. The story begins when Emily is telling her that she and her husband are going to France for Christmas and that Grandmama will be spending Christmas with Emily's mother who is Grandmama's former daughter-in-law. The older lady is furious, but she makes the trip.

In truth, Mariah Ellison is a very rude person. Her son had died and the daughter-in-law is now remarried to Joshua. She and her new husband are very kind to the older lady, but it's not appreciated in the least. When Maude Barrington, a distant aunt of Joshua's is also sent to share their Christmas, Grandmama is livid. She thinks that the newcomer is stupid and instead of being kind to Maude, she's abrupt and difficult. Actually Maude is very interesting as she had spent the last 40 years of her life traveling in Persia and Africa.

This was a strange and convoluted story, but the diverse characters kept me on my toes. In the past, poor relatives were fostered out and taken in by relatives out of charity, but in reality they were often poorly received. This story also takes on the situation where relatives would come to stay and take advantage of their hosts, so I guess it went both ways!

After a slow start, I ended up enjoying this story.

Surprisingly Wonderful!.......2006-01-18

Fearing another Christmas Journey mess and hoping for a book along the lines of Christmas Visitor, I had no idea what I'd find in A Christmas Guest. What I found was a great story excellently written.

To be honest, I could not imagine Grandmother as a sympathetic character. I do not want to give away much of the surprise for anyone who hasn't read this, but we see another side of the cranky old lady and we come to understand her better.

After seeing her in a different light, I'm curious as to how Perry portrays her in the upcoming Pitt novels. I hope she will allow Grandmother's character to grow- it would be a waste of great character if she doesn't.

A Christmas Guest is one of Perry's best efforts. There's a seemingly unsolvable mystery, a full cast of suspects, humor, a moral, and a great feeling of satisfaction after you've turned the last page.

A lovely book.

An enjoyable and uplifting read that is perfect for the holidays.......2005-12-16

In Victorian England, Grandmama Mariah Ellison, chronically cranky and miserable, must stay with the mother of Charlotte Pitt (of the Charlotte and Thomas Pitt mystery series), Caroline Fielding, and her younger actor-husband, Joshua, for the holidays. Since Grandmama's daughter and son-in-law are off to France, she is disgruntled at being shuffled off to chilly, windswept, and rustic Romney Marshes. How dare her daughter treat her this way! She prepares to be bored out of her mind.

Grandmama's boredom lasts only a few days. A new visitor, Maude Barrington, arrives; she is a distant relative of Joshua's, and her family inexplicably does not wish for her to stay with them for Christmas. Vibrant Maude has spent 40 years away from England, traveling the world's exotic desert destinations by herself. She regales them with tales of the marvelous sites she's experienced --- Persian gardens, African cities, and the scent of moonlit jasmine blossoms. Grandmama is not charmed. She is jealous of the attention Caroline and Joshua bestow on the interloper, and appalled at the very idea of a lone Englishwoman traipsing through foreign countries. However, deep down, she feels a certain interest as she unwillingly spends time with the fascinating Maude.

Early one morning, a maid bursts into Grandmama's room with horrendous news --- Maude is dead. Grandmama is quite put out: now they will have to spend Christmas in mourning! Her dreary holidays will become even worse, with everyone wearing black, the mirrors covered, and all of them eating cold meats.

But Grandmama also feels sorrow. After all, like Grandmama herself, Maude was a visitor at Romney Marshes because her family didn't want her with them. She wishes she had let Maude know how much she admired her. In retrospect, she feels great pangs at the loss of someone who could have been a true friend. She wonders how the almost obnoxiously healthy younger woman could have died. Soon Grandmama focuses on the peppermint water Maude had mentioned she would take that night for indigestion. Who gave Maude the herbal tincture?

Grandmama becomes determined to discover the truth surrounding Maude's death. In fact, she feels she owes it to Maude and even offers to travel to notify Maude's family of her demise. Grandmama wonders if their rejection of Maude isn't related somehow to her death.

Grandmama is soon a guest at Maude's family's home. As Grandmama attempts to elicit information from Maude's relatives, she discovers how difficult effective sleuthing can be. Is she asking the right questions? Will she find herself in danger? Even more importantly, she delves into the mysteries of her own life that explain her cantankerous personality. Her introspection leads her to wonder if a life led without joy can be redeemed. Is she set in her ways, or can she change at this late date?

The complex layers beneath Grandmama's waspish character deepen the murder mystery plot, which more than compensates for a resolution that feels the slightest bit rushed. As always, Anne Perry's description of life in Victorian England is fascinating. A CHRISTMAS GUEST is a quick and enjoyable read with an understated and uplifting theme of redemption, making it a perfect refuge during the harried holidays.

(...)

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VALLEY OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE
BEAUTIFUL!
Transported through words and images

Chateaux of the Loire
Thorston Droste , and Axel M. Mosler
Manufacturer: I. B. Tauris
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1860641644

Book Description

This text presents the architecture, interiors, gardens and grounds of both the most important sites - Chambord, Blois, Chaumont, Amboise, Chenonceaux and others - as well as the lesser-known corners of the Loire valley.

Customer Reviews:

VALLEY OF THE KINGS OF FRANCE.......2006-04-07

This is a well researched book with crisp images. The Loire Valley is like a mystical place, with Fairy Tale palaces and a lovely country side, it's no wonder French kings chose this area to hold court. Most of the Chateaux have an Italian bent, since the Italians at the time were considered the most enlightened. No doubt Chambord is the most spectacular, it may have never held the significance Versailles held and it is not blessed with a Le Notre garden, but it is a site to behold, no other castle can touch it, I love the story that Leonardo may have designed the staircase while he was a long term guest of the King, either way it is simply stunning. I high recommend this wonderful book, on a breathtaking subject.

BEAUTIFUL!.......2000-01-09

As a Frenchwoman who spent last summer touring the Loire and its chateaux, I was a bit disappointed in this book. Had I wanted a book about French history, I would have bought a book about French history. I was looking for a lot more of the "now" and a lot less of the "then." The old black and white photos may delight some, but I found them a major disappointment. The chateaux, as they are today, are a glorious feast for the eyes; more up-to-date photos would have garnered this book five stars as far as I'm concerned. But all that aside, it is a lovely, over-sized coffee table book and one that should be "required reading" for anyone anticipating a visit to the Loire.

Transported through words and images.......1999-06-27

This book is an excellent investment. Gorgeous photography often depicts interiors as well as the exteriors of famous and also less well-known chateaux. Photographs (taken in various seasons of the year) present a large number of chateaux and castle complexes. The text is concise. Each chateau is described in a lively essay that is informative for architectural, historical, and travel details. A useful synopsis outlines a sight-seeing intinerary for those readers planning to visit the Loire Valley chateaux in person. Between the engaging text and beautiful images, reading (and re-reading) this book is a beautiful journey in itself.

Average customer rating:

Another excellent guidebook from the leaders in travel books -- DK Eyewitness!
Loire Valley (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Loire Valley (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Manufacturer: DK Travel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Turtleback

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ASIN: 0789497336

Book Description

Covers: Anjou, Touraine, Blesois, Orleanais, Berry, North of the Loire, Loire-Atlanatique, and the Vendee.

Customer Reviews:

Another excellent guidebook from the leaders in travel books -- DK Eyewitness!.......2006-06-09

I've been reading and collecting DK Eyewitness Guides for years (I have about 30 current editions). Aside from the fantastic photos and detailed diagrams, the text is very informative. These guidebooks combine rich style with substance. And their guidebook to the Loire Valley is no exception (I don't know what the other reviewer could have missed -- maybe she's never been to France!) Either way, I strongly suggest this item, as well other titles from DK!

Loire Valley (Eyewitness Travel Guides).......2006-03-11

I was extremely disapointed with this book. It's just pretty pictures with very little useful information.
I will never but another Eyewiness gide again.

Drive Around Loire Valley, 2nd: Your Guide to Great Drives (Drive Around - Thomas Cook)

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Drive Around Loire Valley, 2nd: Your Guide to Great Drives (Drive Around - Thomas Cook)
Andrew Sanger
Manufacturer: Thomas Cook Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1841576573

MapEasy's Guidemap to Loire Valley (Regional Guidemaps)

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MapEasy's Guidemap to Loire Valley (Regional Guidemaps)
Mapeasy
Manufacturer: Mapeasy Inc.
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Map

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Chateaux of the Loire (Wonders of man)
Christopher Hibbert
Manufacturer: W W Norton & Co Inc
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0882253174

Castles of the Loire: Places and History (Places and History Series)

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Inside and out

Castles of the Loire: Places and History (Places and History Series)
Milena Ercole Pozzoli
Manufacturer: Stewart, Tabori, & Chang
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1556705409

Amazon.com

This splendidly photographed volume is one of a series of Places and History books that examine the history, culture, and natural beauty of inspiring destinations, from California to Ireland to Tuscany. This book celebrates the majestic castles along the banks of the magnificent Loire River in France, which was for centuries intrinsically linked to the history of that country. It is perfect for armchair travelers as well as those interested in the medieval architecture of castles, with their extravagant towers, elaborate grounds, richly decorated interiors, and especially the immortal legends and stories that surround them. Included are Chambord Castle, the mansion of George Sand, and Chinon Castle, where in 1429 Joan of Arc set out on her momentous crusade to liberate her country from the English.

Customer Reviews:

Inside and out.......2002-01-01

I probably looked at 8 books on the Loire chateuaxs, and this was the best. Great photographs, laid out well, great information on each of the castles/chateauxs, lots of photos of the inside decoration and furniture. This book gave me a better understanding of the landscaping around the castles as well. If you are planning to visit the Loire valley, and you are trying to decide which castles to visit, this book is a must. It is also and excellent armchair-traveller/coffee-table book.

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