The House of Dreams: A Novel

Kate Lord Brown

May 2016 · Macmillan

About this ebook

A reporter uncovers the true-life story of the man who rescued thousands of Europe's finest creative minds from certain death in World War II.
In 2000, Sophie Cass, an ambitious journalist, may have finally found her big break. Convinced a celebrated painter in the Hamptons is hiding a dark secret, she sets off to unravel the truth about his past. Her research takes her back decades to 1940, as an international group of artists and intellectuals gather at the House of Dreams, a beautiful villa just outside Marseilles where American journalist Varian Fry and his remarkable team are working to help them escape France. Despite the incredible danger they all face, the House of Dreams is a place of true camaraderie and creativity—and the setting of a love affair that changed the course of the painter's life forever. But as Sophie digs further into his past, she begins to wonder whether some secrets are better left untouched . . .
Inspired by the real-life heroism of Varian Fry and the volunteers who risked their lives to help save legendary figures like Marc Chagall, Hannah Arendt, and Max Ernst, Kate Lord Brown's The House of Dreams is a lyrically told novel of great courage, love, and the power of art.
Praise for The House of Dreams
"Brown brings a cinematic sensibility to her writing, making the long-ago exploits of Fry and his cohorts pulse with life."— Booklist (starred review)
"Brown sheds a literary light on the unsung heroes of the [American Relief Center]. . . . Nicely written and [a] worthy read." — Library Journal
"An exciting read with many characters you find yourself rooting for." — Fresh Fiction

Ratings and reviews

The House of Dreams is told in the first person from various characters’ point-of-view (mostly Gabriel’s). I really did not enjoy this novel. The writing is disjointed and awkward. It starts in 2000 and then jumps back in time. It keeps going back and forth (making it disjointed and hard to read). The House of Dreams is an extremely long and boring book (just from my perspective). I had a hard time reading this book. It just did not engage me (or draw me in) as a reader. I thought Gabriel's "secret" was obvious. I decided to take a guess before I read the book and see if I was right. I was (I kept hoping for a twist)! The ending is odd. I wanted to quit reading after a couple of chapters, but I pushed on and finished it (I kept hoping it would get better). I give The House of Dreams 1.5 out of 5 stars. This novel was just not for me. I am really tired of novels dealing with World War II (I keep hoping I will get a really good one). We have had a plethora of them over the last year (and most of them were not enjoyable). I received a complimentary copy of The House of Dreams from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review of the novel.

Very interesting and thought providing about bravery and sacrifice during World war 11.

About the author

KATE LORD BROWN is the internationally bestselling author of The Perfume Garden. She grew up in a wild and beautiful part of Devon, England, and was first published while at school. Kate won the BBC International Radio Playwriting Competition, Middle East region, in 2014; was a finalist in ITV's The People's Author competition 2009; and has a master's in creative writing. The Perfume Garden was shortlisted for the UK Romantic Novel of the Year 2014. She lives in the Middle East with her family.