Throughout history, women have often been thought of as soft and mushy, unnecessary in the building of history or nations. In this extraordinary work of historical fiction, Dray sets the record straight!  The ladies associated with Lafayette’s chateau are nothing soft and mushy.  They are formidable, brazen, and stouthearted world changers!  Adrienne, Beatrice, and Marthe were women willing to sacrifice, resist, and fight.  And while I love a fictitious, well written, strong female protagonist, the best part of this novel is that two of our heroines are indeed based on real individuals and the third is crafted from factual information. Real women that made a real impact on history with a fascinating connection and colorful lives.  

In this novel, we see countries in strife, fighting for freedom and justice.  Rather than look at the men in the forefront, we are allowed a glimpse at the heart of the mission.  Three eras. Three wars.  Three women who believed themselves as capable as the men.  And with their influence, we see justice and humanity prevail. 

Dray expertly executes this complicated storyline, weaving the fight for freedom and decency through each character and timeline with an exquisite turn of a phrase.  Not only did I come to know each lady as if she were a friend, I also felt deeply at home in the chateau itself.  The past echoed through the stones of the castle through the words Dray used to craft its modest splendor.  

You’d think delving into the history of three eras and artfully intertwining them would be enough for any author to undertake.  But Dray doesn’t stop there.  This novel is a discourse on many things beyond the fight for freedom.  Dray also looks at the inner workings of marriage, the ramifications of infidelity, the desperation of loss, and the cost of sacrifice.  They aren’t merely side notes either.  These themes are well done. 

To read this book is to dedicate yourself to it.  It is a dense book with a depth of richly researched history.  While the immensity of the history and details can be a bit overwhelming at times, I found the novel to be well worth the investment.  I particularly appreciated the Author’s Notes at the end which indicated Dray’s dedication to maintaining historical accuracy.  She also outlines the liberties undertaken in order to best manage the storyline as a whole.

This novel was brilliantly executed and is a testament to the power of devoted women.

Many thanks to Stephanie Dray, Berkley Publishing Group, and NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.