The Women of Chateau Lafayette

By: Stephanie Dray

Narrated by: Tavia Gilbert, Emma Bering, Rachel L. Jacobs

Length: 23 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

The USA Today Best Seller!

Recommended by Oprah Magazine ∙ Cosmo ∙ PopSugar ∙ SheReads ∙ Parade ∙ and more!

An epic saga from New York Times best-selling author Stephanie Dray based on the true story of an extraordinary castle in the heart of France and the remarkable women bound by its legacy.

Most castles are protected by men. This one by women.

A founding mother...

1774. Gently-bred noblewoman Adrienne Lafayette becomes her husband, the Marquis de Lafayette’s political partner in the fight for American independence. But when their idealism sparks revolution in France and the guillotine threatens everything she holds dear, Adrienne must renounce the complicated man she loves, or risk her life for a legacy that will inspire generations to come.

A daring visionary...

1914. Glittering New York socialite Beatrice Chanler is a force of nature, daunted by nothing - not her humble beginnings, her crumbling marriage, or the outbreak of war. But after witnessing the devastation in France firsthand, Beatrice takes on the challenge of a lifetime: convincing America to fight for what's right.

A reluctant resistor...

1940. French school-teacher and aspiring artist Marthe Simone has an orphan's self-reliance and wants nothing to do with war. But as the realities of Nazi occupation transform her life in the isolated castle where she came of age, she makes a discovery that calls into question who she is, and more importantly, who she is willing to become.

Intricately woven and powerfully told, The Women of Chateau Lafayette is a sweeping novel about duty and hope, love, and courage, and the strength we take from those who came before us.

©2021 Stephanie Dray (P)2021 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

"[R]iveting…We can learn from Adrienne, Beatrice, and Marthe's stories, even as we're swept away.” —Oprah Magazine

“It's a story about survival and how three women somehow make it through tragedy to ensure a better world for future generations.”—Cosmo

"This is a wildly impressive novel with characters who fly off the page. The Women of Chateau Lafayette unflinchingly describes the toll that war and the fight for democracy takes on us all. And perhaps more poignantly, it reminds us that we are forever connected to our past."—The Jewish Journal

Brilliant!

History has never been so interesting.
Storytelling at its best intertwined with true history.
I love the three different timelines.
Great narration.

Exceptional!

So much to learn about Lafayette's role in history! Stephanie Dray is a master weaver of history and fiction!

A grand walk through history

What a riveting story! Stephanie Dray has done a fabulous job in writing the story of the women of Château Lafayette. The ladies performing the narration did an outstanding job. They really made the story come alive. I highly recommend listening to this novel.

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This book by Stephanie Dray is one of the best historical fiction I’ve read. Amazing portraits of three incomparable women spanning three wars.

Grew on me!

This book took a little bit of time to get into, but since it was such a long and involved book I had plenty of time to get hooked in deep. the three women on whom the story focused were all strong in their own ways.

I had no idea that the desire of a few insightful people to pull France into a Republic could lead to such a wonderful heritage and an interesting story. Lafayette, specifically his wife Adriana, is the main focus of the epic focused mainly on three eras in France's history. I was surprised to learn how instrumental Lafayette was in our independence from Britain. He and his wife were so inspirational to a group of people in the United States that a couple of women later took his home at Chauviniac (sp), restored it during WW1, and turned it into a home for orphaned children. The story also expands generationally to include a third young woman -- a character created from an amalgam of someone who might have been affiliated with the orphanage -- who protects young Jews from a certain death by hiding them during World War II at this sanctuary.

Since I was enjoying this hostorical fiction on Audible, and it ended while I was still on my walk, I continued listening right through the author's commentary. I found this section fascinating, not only to know how much work went into creating the story, but also how the characters evolved in the author's mind. It gave me an idea of what details and events she had created versus what she had adapted to imagine and complete her story. Since I do not learn history in a linear fashion, this last part was elucidating! It helped to clarify any questions I had when listening to the story.

I highly recommend this book.

Great book

I enjoyed every minute of this book. Loved the characters and felt like the author did an excellent job. Highly recommend for anyone who loves historical fiction and France.

Wow

Yes, it's long...but what an inspiring as well as informative story centering three characters - two of whom were historical persons - around the real life hero of the Marquis de Lafayette and his family homestead. If you love well done and well researched historical fiction, I highly recommend this. I also learned a great deal more about the French Revolution and the subsequent Reign of Terror. Fascinating. It is also beautifully read by three voice actors, all who embody the personalities of the three women.

Very interesting story

very interesting story. kept my attention. lots historic facts I didn't know. well worth the listen.

Excellent!

Very interesting and dynamic storytelling. Really brings the history and potential personal stories of these characters to light.

A Must Read

I was absolutely enchanted by the women of this novel. Stephanie Dray knew exactly how to keep me wanting to hear more.