The French Girl [Kindle Edition]

Felicia Donovan (Author)

Book Description

The heartwarming story of a young French girl, Etoile, raised in a world of prejudice and despair, who becomes orphaned and is sent to live with her distant cousin and her cousin's partner. Embraced by their love and warmly welcomed by their community of lesbian friends, Etoile slowly discovers the true meaning of family, but their strength is put to the test when the state abruptly threatens to take her away.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A very well-written novel, with great character development, and a wonderful (and different!) story line that moved right along. Touching, sometimes heart-wrenching, and a very satisfying read. I didn't want the book to end, and I will re-read it more than once because the characters feel like friends (well, most of them). A very rich read! Refreshing and touching. - 5 Star Amazon Review

The French Girl is a beautifully written story of one little girl's journey from inattentive mothering to unconditional, without reservation, instantaneous bonding...  The author does an amazing job of telling a story with such a difficult subject matter that you can actually feel the character's joy, and your heart will break with their sorrow.

You will remember this book long after you finish the last word. - Lori's Reading Corner 5 Star Amazon Review

I've never read this author before, but I read THE FRENCH GIRL from start to finish and could not put it down! What a beautiful story about a group of loving women who take in this little girl. I cried when they tried to take Etoile away. I highly recommend it! - 5 Star Amazon Review

About the Author

Felicia Donovan is the author of several books including The Black Widow Agency series of comedy-mysteries. Please visit www.feliciadonovan.com

Product Details

• File Size: 327 KB
• Print Length: 197 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 1469934477
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B006RKRUG4
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #323,094 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Storybook Tale of Love and Family -- 4.5-stars February 18, 2012

By R. E. Conary VINE™ VOICE

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thoroughly enjoyed THE FRENCH GIRL although it was not my usual read. The last book I read with a child narrator was THE LOVELY BONES, and of late I've read mostly dark noir authors like Sam Millar, Ken Bruen and David Peace. When THE FRENCH GIRL came to my attention, I sampled it and knew I'd have to buy this captivating tale.

Seen through the innocence of 11-year-old and recently orphaned Etoile Toussant, the author weaves the influences and biases of a New England fishing village against the idyllic setting of a country cottage near a liberal arts university in New Hampshire during the late 1970s.

It is here in the home of two women that Etoile finds the loving family she has been missing. And it is here that the reader sees beyond a child's understanding the struggle a same-sex couple must face to be a family.

My only disappointment was discovering that in the land of "Live Free or Die", Etoile's storybook ending couldn't happen for another 20 years. But as another reviewer observed, this is a minor flaw that does not detract from the beauty and love of Felicia Donovan's finely-written novel.

Since finishing THE FRENCH GIRL, I've also read -- and enjoyed -- Donovan's private detective tale THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY. But I have a sneaking suspicion that it is THE FRENCH GIRL to which I will return again and again.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written February 28, 2012

By CristiAk

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

When I purchased The French Girl I opened it just to see if it downloaded correctly. My intention was to skim through a couple of pages. I did not put it down until I finished the book. The story grabs you from your first meeting Etoile and her older sister Anais, all the way to Etoile's life with Giselle and Jean. It is a solid story of what family is. The French Girl is a moving story that will not be forgotten. It is a book that challenges long held belief that only a "normal" parental unit can raise a child. A belief that has denied children loving care in a two parent household just because the parental unit was of the same sex. This book wrung so many emotions from me. Beautifully written, this book is a must read. I highly recommend it for anyone who works in social services, especially adoption and foster care.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written book that makes you think! February 9, 2012

By Reader4Life

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

This book does what a really good book should - make you think! The main theme is what constitutes a family and what does a family do to nuture and encourage the best of each member. This books succeeds on that basis alone; however, I do have a problem with the timeline, which the author at the end acknowledges. While the story takes place in the 70s, the ending, as written, would not have happened until the 90s. For those of us who remember the 70s well, that's a disservice in some ways. It's not enough to distract from the book and is merely my personal observation. This is a work of fiction and my personal bias aside, it is well written and was a delight to read.

More About the Author

Felicia Donovan developed an early reputation for telling tales, particularly about her three older siblings. She apologizes profusely for any harm this may have caused and was subsequently encouraged by her mother, a freelance writer, to put her overly active imagination to better use.

Felicia began writing stories and poems early on and completed her first novel by the time she graduated from high school. She subsequently joined her college paper and won the prestigious Scripps-Howard Foundation Journalism Scholarship based on her writing submissions.

After obtaining her Degree, Felicia went on to become a teacher. Always willing to try new things, she left teaching to join a New England Police Department where she was first introduced to the fascinating world of digital crime.

Always compelled to write, Felicia wrote the first in THE BLACK WIDOW AGENCY series of comedy-mysteries based on her experiences in law enforcement (mostly the comedy). Her writing always reflects her hope that justice will be served, the underdog will rise, and everyone will be treated equally and respectfully with tolerance (at minimum) and acceptance (at best). She believes very much in happy endings.

Felicia resides in the bucolic countryside of New England with her partner.