Gaslit England during the turn of the century. The story starts during the funeral of Queen Victoria (1837-1901) and ends during the funeral of King Edward VII (1901-1910). On their visit to the cemetery to pay respect to their beloved queen, two families meet: the Colemans and the Waterhouses and their relationships are started by the friendship between their two 5-y/o daughters, Maude Coleman and Lavinia Waterhouse. They meet when they are 5 years old and the story ends when they are in the brink of adulthood at the age of 15.

One noteworthy aspect of this novel: narrated in first person by n  each of the major charactersn without losing the story’s focus and the delivery of its message: that women are not the weaker sex.

The plot is thin and the prose is easy yet mesmerizing in its beauty. The frequent reference to cemeteries and death seems to be a reminder to its readers that we are all mortals and all of us will die sooner or later. So, it is but proper that we do what is right and contribute in our own ways to leave this world a better place just like what Kitty Coleman and her support to suffragettes’ dream of having women vote during elections. It also teaches us that we are all human being and we commit mistakes like Jenny Whitby’s pregnancy and Kitty’s affair with Richard and the abortion of their baby. It also shows us that time changes no matter what we do like how the Waterhouses try to hold on to their conventional beliefs compared to the openness of the Colemans to change.

The title comes from the angel in the grave of the Waterhouses that falls and breaks into parts in one of the scene. In another, it is Lavinia’s belief, being a more imaginative child, that the falling stars are actually falling angels that are falling because they are going to earth to deliver some messages. The more practical-minded Maude insists that they are meteorites and not angels. These are 5 year old girls in England in 1901 and this is an example of how Chevalier provides the contrast between the two girls.

Okay, those really are not new. The novel is cute though. Smooth reading and Chevalier’s attention to details and making use of those details to make her story worth-reading is something that I appreciated. There are still nice novels that do not need to have huge political impact, endorse some earth-shaking philosophy or use big words for me to enjoy. Sometimes, surprises come in small package and this novel for me definitely falls in that category. Not a 1001. Not a 501. No awards from Pulitzer, Booker, etc. No one of my friends here in Goodreads recommended this but definitely a joy, although there are two deaths towards the end, to read.

I have no idea how Tracy Chevalier does what she does, but man alive, does she do it well. It took about half a paragraph for me to jump feet first into Falling Angels and I didn't come back out again until it was over. The characters are fantastic, the plot carries you along so easily, and the writing and imagery is beautiful. My only complaint would be that this book did not seem to go quite as deep as some of Chevalier's other works, even with the limitless material offered by the topics of both women's rights and death. But it was an excellent read nonetheless!

I love how this book exposes so many different aspects of the Victorian lifestyle; from people with high society statuses, to servants and even a gravedigger's son. The fact that the story is told through the eyes of thirteen very different characters makes it even more interesting to read, since I never seemed to get bored with the whole concept of the story.

Through this book I can delve into the past and examine the London lifestyle in the Victorian era that I didn't have much clue about before. I didn't know how difficult life was to women during those years. They didn't have what modern women now take for granted: the freedom of choice, of speech, and of having equality.

This novel is romantic, heart wrenching, tragic, entertaining, and just simply beautifully written. I finished it in less than a week. I cried when Kitty Coleman and Ivy May passed away. I simply couldn't put it down. Praise for Tracy Chevalier. I am a fan.

I hadn’t read any of Tracey Chevalier books before although I had heard of The Girl With The Pearl Earring. This book was at first a little off putting with the extremely short chapters and the fact that each chapter was dealing with a different character. Having said that I was blown away by this story and although it was a little dark in places the way it was written brought the 1900’s to life. It’s not an exciting narrative but, it’s historical and very well written and such a lovely story. I shall be reading her other books in time.

Er ad a5 stella quasi fino alla fine, ma poi una serie di tragedie, non tutte giustificate, mi hanno rovinato la lettura

Ambientato nel primo decennio del Novecento, e per buona parte nel suggestivo cimitero londinese di Highgate (considerato dagli alto borghesi come un qualsiasi luogo di passeggio e di incontro), questo romanzo polifonico ci presenta una galleria di intensi ritratti femminili, incredibilmente realistici e variegati, dalle giovani e anziane signore inchiodate alla rigida morale vittoriana, passando per le più emancipate, fino alle audaci suffragette pronte a finire dietro alle sbarre in nome della libera scelta.
Bellissimo e atmosferico romanzo storico.
Una sorpresa inaspettata

c2001. I got this book from the library but what I really wanted to read was another book with the same name but by a different author which the library did not have. Perhaps this coloured my feelings for this book but I found it a pretty pointless book. The only blurb on the cover all related to Girl with a Pearl Earring. The only good thing about this book is that it is a quick read. I found the plot to be disjointed with no real explanations or details given eg what really happened to Ivy May? Actually, do I really care as Ivy May was very sketchily drawn? Certainly not at all a joyous book with 2 of the characters dead by the end of it, abortion and the problems both physically and socially. Not a book to read if you are depressed - you will cut your wrists for sure. The opening sentence is about the best in the entire book but sets you up for disappointment thereafter "I woke this morning with a stranger in my bed. The head of blond hair beside me was decidedly not my husband's. Well, I thought, here's a novel way to start the new century" From the housekeepers point of view "I arrive at half seven in the morning, I cook for them, I leave at seven at night- six if the supper's a cold one. I stay out of the way. I don't have opinions."Or if I do I keep them to myself." May be I should do that myself!

I was in need of a "damn good book," one I did not want to put down, and once again, Ms. Chevalier did not disappoint. Propelling the story forward through the perspectives of vastly different characters, she explores the complex thoughts and emotions that a rapidly changing world can inspire. As I've found with many of her books, Chevalier has an innate sense for knowing both what to say, and what not to say, inherently knowing when words - even in a novel - are extraneous. In short, it's beautifully crafted historical fiction.

Inventive storyline and I enjoyed the friendship between the two girls and Simon. The cemetery setting was beautiful and the mothers of both girls reminded us that our moms are just humans with complex lives of their own. I liked the writing style and how the story was told by all of the different characters in their own voice. Jenny was a favorite for me. I also really liked the portrayal of Miss Black. Such an edgy, feminist vibe.

I loved this book. I may read it again right away or very soon. I won't stop thinking about it for awhile. I will definitely buy it so I can read it as many times as I want whenever I want. This copy I read is a library copy- I checked it out because I liked the title and wanted to read another Chevalier book.

Victoria's death- Edward's death. 1901-1910. Two families and a little boy grave digger. The story is told from every point of view. Much of the story takes place in and around the cemetery and deals with mourning.

A favorite quote:

“I have spent my life waiting for something to happen,’ she said. ‘And I have come to understand that nothing will. Or it already has, and I blinked during that moment and it's gone. I don't know which is worse — to have missed it or to know there is nothing to miss.”

Loved this book. One of the better Chevalier's to my opinion.

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This is the third novel by Tracy Chevalier that I have read and I have found them all utterly compelling and so different. I loved the choice of title which I felt was a clever use of symbolism, with angels falling throughout the book! The opening chapter may well surprise you about those staid Victorians.
Falling Angels is about the friendship of two little girls Lavinia Waterhouse and Maude Coleman.
Covering the time from when they first met in the local graveyard, where their family plots are next door to each other. It is 1901 and everyone is in mourning for the death of Queen Victoria. We follow the girls growing up through changing times for the next nine years. The book is narrated by just about every character in the book, so the story comes together seen through the eyes of not only the two protagonists but their families, household staff and two members of the graveyard staff that play important roles in the plot. This structure gave the effect of feeling very much part of the plot oneself as though all the characters were speaking to you personally, which very cleverly makes you feel you are there! Drawn into the seemingly mundane lives of the Waterhouse and Coleman families the drama builds as Maude’s mother becomes involved with the suffragette movement and a series of tragedies occur.
I recommend this novel as an enjoyable read written from an interesting angle about a fascinating period in British history.