The Butler

 

The Butler- hmmm.  When I read the title, I was intrigued.  How could a book about a butler be interesting?  Of course, the lives of servants in Downton Abbey come to mind.  We think of them being totally at the beck and call of the estate owners and not having a life of their own.  But, the story of Joachim Canal is intriguing and very interesting.  He grew up in Argentina, from a family once thought of with great regard at one time.  With disgrace of his family, his mother raised her twin sons in poverty.  When the twins were 17, the mother married a Frenchman and moved to Paris with Joachim in tow.  Javier, the rebellious son, stayed with friends in Argentina.  Always in trouble, Javier chooses a life of crime.  This breaks Joachim's heart.  Always a great student, he drifts and eventually enters service as a butler to aristocratic families in England.

Olivia grew up with a single mother and barely knew her father.  When her mother dies, and her decorator magazine folds, she decides to spend a year in Paris.  She finds a beautiful apartment she has to decorate and hires an assistant.  

The story of Joachim and Olivia is a great one.  Two souls have vowed to live their lives in solitude because of the awful relationships they experienced between their parents comes to light.  Can they make this work?  This is a delightful story about overcoming obstacles in life, charting your own path and choices. 

I know that once I start a Danielle Steel book, I won't want to put it down until the story is complete.  This book is no exception.  And, yes, butlers do have a life beyond service.

*I received an advance copy of the book  from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Beautiful Country

 

The word for America is Mei Guo, which translates as Beautiful Country.  This story chronicles 5 years of the author's life as an immigrant child.  Many Chinese people in her hometown saw America as the land of the free, home of the brave, land of opportunity.  Qian immigrated to New York City with her parents as a young child.  She remembers little about her roots except the warmth and love of family left behind.  Her parents, professors in China, had to take menial jobs in America.  Sweatshops, warehouses, meat packing plants, cab driving- you name it.  Their education and expertise were not recognized and left them with few opportunities.  They live in less than ideal living quarters in less desirable areas.  School was a challenge for Qian as she did not speak English.  

Can her parents improve their circumstances?  Can Qian rise above the challenges she faces in America?

This is a beautifully written book.  The descriptions make the author feel as though they are present in the story.  It is a story of hope perseverance and determination.  It kept me reading because I just knew things had to get better for this family.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.