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To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin is glamorous and intriguing. It is a unique and interesting story surrounding the construction of the Eiffel Tower in Paris. There are also beautiful passages and gorgeous descriptions of the fashion and lifestyle during the time period. However, the main character, Cait, goes through so many personality changes that I had a hard time liking her as a character towards the end of the novel.
Title: To Capture What We Cannot KeepAuthor: Beatrice Colin
Publisher: Flatiron Books
Genres: Adult Fiction, Historical Fiction
Publication Date: November 29, 2016
Rating:
Set against the construction of the Eiffel Tower, this novel charts the relationship between a young widow and an engineer who, despite constraints of class and wealth, fall in love.
In February 1887, Caitriona Wallace and Émile Nouguier meet in a hot air balloon, floating high above Paris--a moment of pure possibility. But back on firm ground, their vastly different social strata become clear. Cait is a widow who because of her precarious financial situation is forced to chaperone two wealthy Scottish charges. Émile is expected to take on the bourgeois stability of his family's business and choose a suitable wife. As the Eiffel Tower rises, a marvel of steel and air and light, the subject of extreme controversy and a symbol of the future, Cait and Émile must decide what their love is worth.
Seamlessly weaving historical detail and vivid invention, Beatrice Colin evokes the revolutionary time in which Cait and Émile live--one of corsets and secret trysts, duels and Bohemian independence, strict tradition and Impressionist experimentation. To Capture What We Cannot Keep, stylish, provocative, and shimmering, raises probing questions about a woman's place in that world, the overarching reach of class distinctions, and the sacrifices love requires of us all.
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Review: TO Capture What We Cannot Keep, Beatrice Colin
If you have ever read or watched any of the numerous mini-series that document and romanticize the building of the Titanic, you will have a sense of what this book is about. Beatrice Colin beautifully depicts the setting of Paris and the landscape pre-Eiffel Tower. There are many elaborate and interesting moments throughout the story that describe the materials, techniques and hardships that went into constructing this famous structure. It was very fascinating to read the opinions of Parisians and their aversion to this monument that is a symbol now associated with the country.
❀ Lots of Detail
I also really enjoyed the passages in To Capture What We Cannot Keep that Colin wrote to beautifully describe the elaborate clothes worn during the late 1800s. Fashion and appearance were of great importance at the time and it was delightful to read about what the characters were wearing to art shows attended by Seurat. I especially loved the scene where the characters were skating and taking advantage of showing off a little bit of ankle!
❀ Cait is not a relatable character
While there are numerous aspects of the novel that I adored, the protagonist Cait, is one that I found relatable at first and then at about 3/4 of the way through the book became a somewhat dislikable character. Without spoiling too much of the plot, I will just say that I was disappointed with the lack of direction she gave to the young adults that she was chaperoning. I felt that for someone who is trying to break the norms of society and find her own place in the world, she could have been more inspiring and helpful to Alice and Jamie.
❀ Beautifully Written
To Capture What We Cannot Keep by Beatrice Colin is a beautifully written novel that will whisk its readers right into the time period of 1887 flawlessly. It is quite an enjoyable historical fiction that provides a window to an era long forgotten. Although the main character fell flat for me, I do think that those who enjoy historical fiction will find this novel quite enjoyable.
Quotes: To Capture What We Cannot Keep, Beatrice Colin
The hot-air balloon had reached the end of its chain and came to a sudden, jolting halt. She opened her eyes. The brazier roared, the balloon still floated in the air, the world was as she left it; Paris below and the sky above.
About Beatrice Colin
Beatrice Colin was a novelist based in Glasgow. The Glimmer Palace (2008), a novel set in Berlin in the early 20th century, was translated into eight languages, was a Richard and Judy pick, and was short-listed for several major awards. Colin also wrote radio plays and adaptations for BBC Radio 4.
About Lori
Avid reader. Contributor to The Candid Cover. Educator.
The cover is lovely, and this book sounds amazing! I adore Paris, so your review has me intrigued! So glad you enjoyed this book ^_^
Brittany @ Brittany’s Book Rambles
The cover is the first thing that drew me into this one! <3
I enjoy a forbidden romance and seem to be drawn to them this time of year. Sounds excellent. And wonderful cover too.
I hope that you enjoy this one as well! <3
This sounds like a good story… surprisingly, for me. It is not my type of read, but definitely interests me.
It isn’t typical of me, either! I think that it was the whole notion of Paris at the turn of the century. I am still not sure what drew me in exactly! 🙂
Wonderful review! This book sounds great and I just love that cover. I’ll definitely be trying this one out. Thank you!
I hope that you enjoy it as well!
I’m not much of a historical reader, but the cover is beautiful.
This is a book that immediately interested me because of its title. It’s intriguing. But its description on Goodreads didn’t grab me, and your review sounds like you were turned off as well and had to search for something good to say about it.
Looks and sounds like the perfect historical romance for a francophile like me!
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