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Jan 22, 2017ritarufus rated this title 4.5 out of 5 stars
Rachael, born in the 19th century on the island of St. Thomas in the Danish West Indies. Her life growing up on the island and her desire to go live in Paris. It covers her upbringing as a girl and her two marriages. Her fight to have a choice in a time when women had no rights. 1st marriage is arranged but she is never in love. 2nd marriage is one of love. She has 8 children from the 2 marriages. Her best friend, a creole girl Jestine, and how as an old women, Rachael learns the family secrets. Jestine is her half sister as her father had an affair with Jestine's mother Adele, the family maid. And Aaron, the baby Rachaels mother adopted, is the son of one of the leading Jewish ladies. The boy was born out of wedlock and secretly passed onto Rachaels mother who told people he was her orphaned nephew. Aaron falls in love with Jestine but they are not allowed to marry. Aaron and Jestine have a baby but Aaron is sent to Paris to separate them. Jestine's baby is later kidnapped by Aaron and his wife. Aaron still loves Jestine and feels the baby Lyddie will have a better life in Paris. In the end Rachael and Jestine at 60, finally move to Paris. Jestine is reunited with her daughter and Rachael struggles with her youngest son who chooses to be an impressionist painter rather than run the family business. Altho Rachael fought for what she wanted she refused to let her son do as he wanted. Their differences almost tear them apart but eventually Rachael accepts Camilles passion for art. Not a good review of the book but needed to get some notes down.