For the most part, I enjoyed this story. I really liked the portions of the book set during the French Revolution and WWII. They were the most enjoyable for me and I think they were done very well. However, the portion that took part in the present I didn't care for as much. The romance felt forced to me and it seemed like the love interest's personality was changed at times to fit with the romantic plotline that the author wanted rather than coming across as naturally changing as he gets to know Ellie and her story. I also wanted more from the present day story. I felt like what we got was bare bones and that the characters weren't given the time to really go into their backstories. I also would have probably liked it more if the three timelines weren't done so rigorously. The three periods rotated constantly in the same pattern, chapter by chapter: 1780s, present day, 1940s, 1780s, present day, 1940s. I think some parts of the story would have flowed better if the chapters were either longer or each time period got two or three chapters in a row so that it wasn't quite so jarring at times to switch from one time period to another. Other than that, I really enjoyed the story, the characters, and how all of the different lives unfold throughout the book.

This book took me so much longer to read than I anticipated (though most of that is my own fault for not picking it up regularly), but I'm so glad I took the time to read it all!

It is far too complex and involved to explain briefly, but this story is equal parts joyful and heartbreaking, and offers many thought-provoking ideas from the time period in which it was written. Highly recommend if you have the time and energy for a long classic.