“I want it for the same reason as you, darling. Freedom from men, respectability. To be above the rules, like you.”

“It’s a collective knowledge, gathered over centuries by thousands of people who’ve worked the land, and I intend to contribute as much as I can while I’m alive.”

“He was like the vines, a cycle of nature. Sometimes he withered, and sometimes he bloomed.”

This fictionalized account of the life of Barbe-Nicole Clicquot was a fun read. Some of the characters and storylines were a bit much for me. After having recently read The Widow Clicquot (nonfiction) and watching the movie of the same name, I found myself comparing the facts with Helen Fripp’s additions. Each work is its own. I’ve enjoyed the process of exploring widow Clicquot’s life and the history of the Champagne region, plus drinking Veuve Clicquot. Our book club discussion about The French House added to its many layers. I would recommend this novel for readers who want to know more about that time in history and enjoy stories about resilience and overcoming.