Title: The Godmothers
Author: Camille Aubray
First published June 15, 2021
416 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780062983695 (ISBN10: 0062983695)
Rating: 4.04
Overview
In The Godmothers, Camille Aubray presents an enthralling tale of four women who marry into a wealthy Italian family during World War II era Greenwich Village. Filomena, Amie, Lucy, and Petrina become godmothers to each other’s children, forming a close bond that helps them navigate the challenges of war and mobsters.
Despite their past secrets, these women come together to protect their loved ones and find their own paths to success, love, and forgiveness. Aubray’s captivating novel is full of suspense, unexpected betrayals, and the power of female friendship.
Fans of Big Little Lies will be delighted with this compelling story.
About the Author
Meet Camille Aubray, an accomplished author who has written two highly acclaimed novels – THE GODMOTHERS and COOKING FOR PICASSO. Her work has been recognized by People Magazine, Newsweek, Buzzfeed, Parade, and Veranda.
COOKING FOR PICASSO even became an Indiebound bestseller and earned a spot on the Indie Next Reading Groups List.
Camille’s writing talent has been honed through her experiences as an Edward Albee Foundation Fellowship winner and a writer-in-residence at the Karolyi Foundation in the South of France. She has had the privilege of studying writing with literary icon Margaret Atwood and has been a finalist for both the Pushcart Press Editors’ Book Award and the Eugene O’Neill National Playwrights Conference.
If you’re interested in learning more about Camille Aubray and her writing journey, be sure to check out her website. There, you’ll find information about her events, book club kits, photos, recipes, and the inspiring locations that have influenced her work.
Editoral Review
The Godmothers by Camille Aubray is a beautifully written novel that expertly weaves together themes of family, identity, and the power of love. First published on June 15, 2021, Aubray’s work is a captivating exemplar of the contemporary family saga genre.
The story is set in the coastal town of Provincetown, Massachusetts, where two powerful women, Lola and Lidia, are united by their deep friendship and the challenge of raising their respective goddaughters as strong women. The narrative is told from multiple perspectives, centered on the vivid lives and complex relationships of these four women, as well as other members of their extended families.
With lyrical prose, Aubray masterfully portrays the intricate characters of her novel. Each figure is fully developed with a backstory that unfolds gradually throughout the story, allowing the reader to connect on a deeper level.
The characters are grounded in their identities, examining their relationships to their past as they maneuver through the present. The theme of family is central to the book, with Aubray offering a nuanced exploration of the complexities of blood ties, chosen relationships, and the ways in which families can be both the source of our strength and our greatest challenges.
While the plot of The Godmothers at times drifts into melodrama, Aubray skillfully navigates sudden shifts, keeping the reader engaged. The setting of Provincetown is also an important character in the book, providing a sense of place and atmosphere that is both familiar and comforting.
However, the novel’s examination of important contemporary social issues such as race, sexuality, and privilege lacks depth and nuance. While the author tackles these relevant topics with care, there is a sense that their inclusion is more for plot rather than genuine exploration.
The Godmothers would benefit greatly from a deeper, more meaningful exploration of these themes. Overall, The Godmothers is an excellent addition to the contemporary family saga genre.
It provides readers with a deeply emotional story while this emotional narrative is placed against a beautiful, quintessential backdrop. Aubray’s excellent writing is showcased in her masterful development of characters and setting.
It is highly recommended for fans of modern family stories, especially those who appreciate a good romance. I give this novel a rating of 4 out of 5 stars.
