Review of Champagne Widows

Post by **Sky Revews** » 16 May 2024, 10:53

[Following is a volunteer review of "Champagne Widows" by Rebecca Rosenberg.]

5 out of 5 stars

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Rebecca Rosenberg's “Champagne Widows” goes beyond historical fiction. It is a book of bubbly biography, a lovely blend of truth and fiction that tells the story of Nicole-Barbe Ponsardin, the groundbreaker wallowing in the identity of Veuve Clicquot, a name synonymous with luxury champagne.

Rosenberg thus provides Barbe-Nicole Le Nez with a distinctive gift: the one of extraordinary perceptions of smells. It is not only a plot convenience; it becomes a part of her being. This says a lot about a world where women were restricted to appearances, while Barbe-Nicole would utilize Le Nez to exercise her influence and mastery in a domain that was known to be professionally male-dominated. It's a kind of quiet rebellion, a nagging reminder that her victory is not on account of the prevalent established norms but of her natural talent.

The Napoleonic Wars tend to be a secondary or occasional plot in romance literature. Here, they transcend their physical form and turn into non-material beings. The political situation of the time is also embedded in the story, with the interruption of trade routes, shortages of champagne, and the need for Barbe-Nicole to make hard choices. It is not about romance or business. It is about the survival of a world that is nearing the edge. The champagne lifestyle is oftentimes romanticized in everyday life. Rosenberg dismantles that illusion. They show the hard work in vineyards, the detailed techniques of fermenting and riddling, and the constant fight with undesirable spoilage. This behind-the-scenes look immerses us in the struggles that she went through and establishes that her success was not a stroke of luck but rather that she worked tirelessly to achieve what she has now.

The characters should be given a standing ovation. Barbe-Nicole is far from the perfect heroine. She is passionate and sometimes merciless, and she fights her inner demons. Not only her father but also the elusive character Louis Bohne are different from others. This intricacy is the key element that makes them even more realistic. The book is my favorite, but the characters, particularly those who are against Barbe-Nicole, seem to be too good or too bad to be classified so easily. A more sophisticated view of her antagonists would have added a new dimension to the plot. Editing was very fine.

"Champagne Widows" consequently, even after finishing reading the book, stays in the memory. It is a story that sticks in your mind, encouraging you to investigate Veuve Clicquot's legacy and the truly fascinating world of champagne. It is proof of the power of the will, how critical it is to confront expectations, and the long-lasting legacy a woman leaves behind regardless of the ever-present desire to suppress her potential. I will give this book a rating of 5 out of 5 stars.

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Champagne Widows
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