The Dream Lover by Elizabeth Berg

This historical romance, set mostly in the first part of the 19th century, is filled with substance which makes this book interesting. 

Aurore Dupin, pen name George Sand, is a descendant of Augustus II, King of Poland. She is not happy in her marriage. She moves to Paris, where she craves freedom and ability to express herself. “I wanted to immerse myself in a life of writing, the life of an artist. I wanted to be like the bohemians, who cared nothing for the opinions of others.”

After her first publishing rejection, she finds hope with Henri Latouche, who recognizes her raw talent and guides her toward success. Her first romantic affair with another writer Jules Sandeau influences her writing, even though down the line she becomes a much greater success than him.

As her romances continue, the story loses its essence for short moments. But as it is intertwined with her childhood story it continues to hold pretty well, revealing how her childhood and her relationship with her mother shaped her.

At the time, when she finally finds “satisfying happiness of work, friendship, and family,” she meets Frederic Chopin, Polish composer. Her country house becomes an inspiration for many more of his “mazurkas, polonaises, preludes, and waltzes.”

As George Sand tells her own story in her own words and intertwines her affairs with her childhood story, it comes together beautifully at the right time. The author portrays well another author, bringing her pain in unhappy marriage, her pain in many unfulfilled romances, her pain in struggling to write at some point, her progressive thinking from a young naïve girl to a grown up woman, her pain in dealing with ups and downs of life including her own well-being – not always able to get solace from nature or reading or whatever makes one happy.

I don’t agree with the claim that “Paris in the 19th century comes vividly alive.” There is a mention of political situation at the beginning and at the end of the story, and that is it. The friends and lovers of George Sand, who are artists, do not bring the atmosphere of artistic Paris, if that’s what this author was trying to do.

There is mention of Victor Hugo in this story and that’s it. He doesn’t play any role here. Then why even mention his name on the leaflet? Disappointing. As his name and Chopin’s name attracted me to this story.

Overall, well-written, for most of the part interesting. I didn’t care for graphic descriptions.

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