Belle Époque - Softcover
When sixteen-year-old Maude runs away to Paris, her romantic dreams vanish as quickly as her savings. Increasingly desperate for money, she answers a mysterious advert: 'Young Women Wanted for Undemanding Work. Apply In Person To The Durandeau Agency.' But the work is very strange indeed. Maude discovers she is to be a repoussoir - an ugly young woman hired by Parisian socialites to enhance their beauty. Maude is humiliated - but faced with destitution, what choice does she have? Quickly (and secretly) selected as the perfect companion for the Countess Dubern's daughter Isabelle, Maude is thrown into a decadent world full of parties, glamour and astonishing cruelty. Maude finds that academic Isabelle is equally disenchanted with the Parisian social scene, and the girls form a tight bond. But when bohemian artist Paul and the handsome Duke d'Avaray are introduced into the girls' lives, their friendship will be tested to its limits. The girls are about to discover the true meaning of being beautiful...
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
Booklist, April 15, 2013:
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."
Publishers Weekly, May 6, 2013:
"Ross offers not one, but two strong heroines in her debut novel, both navigating the choppy waters of the Paris debutante season, albeit from different social classes. Though Maude is the chief protagonist (and narrator), Isabelle is highly engaging as a young woman determined to challenge the expectations of her gender and study science at a university. Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."
Historical Novels Review"Editors' Choice"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."
A YASLA William C. Morris Award Finalist
"Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."--"Publisher's Weekly"
"A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery...full of strong female characters."--"School Library Journal"
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."--"Booklist "
"Much to offer a contemporary YA audience...flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans...prime book-club fare."--"The Bulletin"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review", Editor's Choice
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."--"Publisher's Weekly"
"A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery...full of strong female characters."--"School Library Journal"
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."--"Booklist "
"Much to offer a contemporary YA audience...flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans...prime book-club fare."--"The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review", Editor's Choice
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds and it will delight fans of historical fiction. "Publishers Weekly"
A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture. "Kirkus Reviews"
A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery full of strong female characters. "School Library Journal"
With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction. "Booklist "
Much to offer a contemporary YA audience flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans prime book-club fare. "The Bulletin"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review," Editor's Choice"
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds and it will delight fans of historical fiction. Publishers Weekly
A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture. Kirkus Reviews
A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery full of strong female characters. School Library Journal
With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction. Booklist
Much to offer a contemporary YA audience flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans prime book-club fare. The Bulletin
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore Belle Epoque!"-Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn't Know and To Be Perfectly Honest
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice"
Book Description:
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."
Publishers Weekly, May 6, 2013:
"Ross offers not one, but two strong heroines in her debut novel, both navigating the choppy waters of the Paris debutante season, albeit from different social classes. Though Maude is the chief protagonist (and narrator), Isabelle is highly engaging as a young woman determined to challenge the expectations of her gender and study science at a university. Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."
Historical Novels Review"Editors' Choice"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."
A YASLA William C. Morris Award Finalist
"Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."--"Publisher's Weekly"
"A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery...full of strong female characters."--"School Library Journal"
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."--"Booklist "
"Much to offer a contemporary YA audience...flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans...prime book-club fare."--"The Bulletin"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review", Editor's Choice
A Junior Library Guild Selection
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
"Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things--true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds--and it will delight fans of historical fiction."--"Publisher's Weekly"
"A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture."--"Kirkus Reviews"
"A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery...full of strong female characters."--"School Library Journal"
"With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction."--"Booklist "
"Much to offer a contemporary YA audience...flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans...prime book-club fare."--"The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review", Editor's Choice
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds and it will delight fans of historical fiction. "Publishers Weekly"
A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture. "Kirkus Reviews"
A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery full of strong female characters. "School Library Journal"
With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction. "Booklist "
Much to offer a contemporary YA audience flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans prime book-club fare. "The Bulletin"
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore "Belle Epoque"!"-Sonya Sones, author of "What My Mother Doesn't Know" and "To Be Perfectly Honest"
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-"Historical Novels Review," Editor's Choice"
A William C. Morris YA Debut Award Finalist
A Junior Library Guild Selection
Both touching and fun, this is a story about many things true friendship, real beauty, being caught between two worlds and it will delight fans of historical fiction. Publishers Weekly
A refreshingly relevant and inspiring historical venture. Kirkus Reviews
A compelling story about friendship, the complexity of beauty, and self-discovery full of strong female characters. School Library Journal
With resonant period detail, elegant narration, and a layered exploration of class and friendship, this provocative novel is rife with satisfaction. Booklist
Much to offer a contemporary YA audience flirtation and match-making to tantalize romance fans prime book-club fare. The Bulletin
"This delectable Parisian tale left me sighting with sweet satisfaction. J'adore Belle Epoque!"-Sonya Sones, author of What My Mother Doesn't Know and To Be Perfectly Honest
"This is an excellent cross-genre read that many will appreciate for its themes on how young women view themselves and the world around them."-Historical Novels Review, Editor's Choice"
In the fight to be the most beautful, the ugly face of bohemian Paris is revealed
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHot Key Books
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 1471402215
- ISBN 13 9781471402210
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages336
(No Available Copies)
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