Mademoiselle Eiffel by Aimie K. Runyan: A Book Review

Mademoiselle Eiffel

Author: Aimie K. Runyan

Genre: Historical Fiction

Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks

Release Date: September 10, 2024

Pages: 365

Source: Netgalley/Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Synopsis: From the author of The School for German Brides and A Bakery in Paris, this captivating historical novel set in nineteenth-century Paris tells the story of Claire Eiffel, a woman who played a significant role in maintaining her family’s legacy and their iconic contributions to the city of Paris.

Claire Eiffel, the beautiful, brilliant eldest daughter of the illustrious architect Gustave Eiffel, is doted upon with an education envied by many sons of the upper classes, and entirely out of the reach of most daughters. Claire’s idyllic childhood ends abruptly when, at fourteen, her mother passes away. It’s soon made clear that Gustave expects Claire to fill her mother’s place as caregiver to the younger children and as manager of their home.

As she proves her competence, Claire’s importance to her father grows. She accompanies him on his travels and becomes his confidante and private secretary. She learns her father’s architectural trade and becomes indispensable to his work. But when his bright young protégé, Adolphe Salles, takes up more of Gustave’s time, Claire resents being pushed aside.

Slowly, the animosity between Claire and Adolphe turns to friendship…and then to something more. After their marriage in 1885 preserves the Eiffel legacy, they are privileged by the biggest commission of Eiffel’s career: a great iron tower dominating the 1889 World’s Fair to demonstrate the leading role of Paris in the world of art and architecture. Now hostess to the scientific elite, such as Thomas Edison, Claire is under the watchful eye not only of her family and father’s circle, but also the world.

When Gustave Eiffel’s involvement in a disastrous endeavor to build a canal in Panama ends in his imprisonment, it is up to Claire to secure her father’s freedom but also preserve the hard-won family legacy.

Claire Eiffel’s story of love, devotion, and the frantic pursuit to preserve her family’s legacy is not only an inspired reflection of real personages and historical events, but a hymn to the iconic tower that dominates the City of Lights.

My Review: Mademoiselle Eiffel tells the story of Gustavo Eiffel’s eldest daughter, Claire. At the young age of fourteen, Claire loses her mother. She has to help her father with household duties and to take care of her siblings. This makes her father rely on Claire even more, and she becomes his assistant. But when Gustave relies on his young student, Adolphe Salles, Claire becomes resentful. Eventually, resentment turns to romance. Claire and Adolphe work together to help establish Gustave Eiffel’s most infamous architectural landmark, the Eiffel Tower!

I had never heard of Claire Eiffel before reading Mademoiselle Eiffel. I found Claire to be a very fascinating protagonist. Claire was very mature, caring, and intelligent. I adored her relationship with her father, Gustave. I love how this novel portrays her love for him and helping him to establish his legacy. I also like Claire’s budding romance with Adolphe Salles, which was my favorite part of the novel. I love how it started as a rivalry and blossomed into romance! Therefore, Claire was a very enagaing character, and I wanted to know her ending!

Overall, this novel is about family, loyalty, and ambition. I thought that all of the characters were very realistic and complex. I like how the portrays all aspects of love. I also thought that the Mademoiselle Eiffel was very well-written and meticulously researched! I like how it focused on the building of Gustave Eiffel’s most famous landmark, the Eiffel Tower! However, I did dislike that it tended to get bogged down with many details! I also found the novel to be very repetitive, especially when it mostly focused on Claire’s everyday life. Nevertheless, it was fascinating reading about Gustave Eiffel’s family! It made me want to read more about Claire Eiffel and discover her true story! I recommend this novel for fans of Stephanie Marie Thornton, Marie Benedict, and Heather Webb!

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

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