If you like historical fiction, and especially fictionalized history, this book is for you!
I had NO IDEA. Of course we all know who Julia Child was, but most of us only knew her as (older) woman who brought French cooking to the American public. I didn't know she was a SPY.
This novel gives a possible scenario of Julia's time in Burma (Sri Lanka) and other exotic locations. It supposes details on how she met her husband, and how their love grew. Chambers does what I thought was a great job in describing Julia's life, her big personality, her outlook, and how she was also insecure - about her voice and her height and her Self. And, how Paul Child saw all of it and loved her.
But mostly this story is one of action. While I wouldn't say the writing was of the highest quality here, I was so fascinated by the story of what Julia was fictionally up to that I could not put this one down. The author is careful to state that these events "could" have happened this way but that she imagined them all. We have no real record of what Julia did during her time in the service, but we know she was there and I admire the author for taking that fact and weaving a very possible story from it with very little actual events to go on. Well done! I believed every word.
Plus, I mean just LOOK at that cover! Love it.
This could be a great book club book. Matter of fact, I think this might have been a book in our book club swap. Maybe I will recommend it! As you will see, I seem to be reading a lot of books about "seasoned" women lately, and I am loving it. Being very salty myself. HAHA.
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