Chasing Mona Lisa: A Novel
By Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey
3.5/5
()
About this ebook
With nonstop action, Chasing Mona Lisa is sure to get readers' adrenaline pumping as they join the chase to save the most famous painting in the world. From war-ravaged Paris to a posh country chateau, the race is on--and the runners are playing for keeps.
Tricia Goyer
USA Today bestselling author Tricia Goyer has published eighty books, has written more than five hundred articles for national publications, and is on the blogging team at TheBetterMom.com and other homeschooling and Christian websites. She is a two-time Carol Award winner, a Christy and ECPA Award finalist, and regularly receives starred reviews in Romantic Times and Publishers Weekly. Tricia is a wife to John, a mom to ten kids and a Nana to a growing number of grandkids. Connect with her at TriciaGoyer.com.
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Reviews for Chasing Mona Lisa
29 ratings9 reviews
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I've just finished reading [Chasing Mona Lisa] by Tricia Goyer which was more enjoyable than I thought it would be. A fictitious work about the French resistance movement, a pair of Swiss resistance helpers and the Mona Lisa being stolen from its hiding place during WWII to prevent the Nazis from confiscating more precious art. It includes the history behind how Leonardo painted the Mona Lisa and how it ended up in France, and how it was stolen from the Louvre. Taking place towards the end of Nazi occupation of France, it had a good twist at the end which I didn't see coming.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I received this book for the purpose of a review, otherwise it's unlikely I would have picked it up. I don't typically read books set during either World War (I'm not sure why, but I just don't find them enjoyable), but I thought this one sounded interesting. It's a story about the liberation of art from the Germans after the occupation of Paris, specifically the flight of the Mona Lisa ("La Joconde") from Paris to Amsterdam and back to Paris as a team of individuals struggled to keep it out of the hands of a German officer.The story focuses on two couples -- a pair of Swiss spies who get wrapped up into the drama on a medical-supply delivery mission -- and a Resistance fighter and a museum curator. They're likable enough characters, but I can't say I particularly connected with either couple. I found the Swiss couple much more realistic in their motives and actions, and if I remember correctly, there's another book by this writing team that continues their story.The other couple -- Bernard and Colette -- don't have quite the expected ending, and things are left a little unresolved (but if I say why, I'll give away some crucial information, so I'll let you read that for yourself). As a result, I found the book less compelling than I'd hoped.Because I don't have a lot of experience with WWII novels, I don't have much to compare it to in terms of quality or storytelling. It was a fast read with decent plot & characters, and plenty of historical detail. I think people who look for historical detail in this kind of fiction will be pleased, but I wish the authors had included a note at the end (as some authors do) explaining which parts were based on true events and which were creative license. I know that there were problems with precious pieces of art falling to the Germans (and efforts to keep other pieces out of their hands), but was this book based on a true story? I have no idea.Either way, not bad. Not wonderful, but probably a fair read for someone interested in the period and the subject matter.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Chasing Mona Lisa intrigued me on a couple fronts - one it's based in the 1940's during WWII and during the end of Hitler's reign and terror campaign toward the Jews. And two it's history and I've always loved history.Chasing Mona Lisa takes place during the last month or two of Hitler's occupation of France. You have 3 groups of people fighting for the freedom of France - Charles De Gaulle who has left the country and is allowing the resistance groups to do the fighting for him and then steps in to take credit when the German's are ousted. Then you have the French Communist Party who think a communist government is the way to go & one member who takes matters in his own hands to return the Mona Lisa (after the Germans Heller & Gorman try to steal it) back to the city thus taking credit for the communist party and trying to discredit De Gaulle. Then you have Eric & Gabi - two Swiss people undercover as Red Cross workers trying to get into the city (I never did really figure out what they were doing). Combine them all together and it is certainly fast paced.I found this book rather confusing obviously. I loved the idea behind the book - but had some trouble following along with it. The Swiss Courier (Gabi's story) is the prequel to this book and if I had read that one first that might have tied some of the pieces together for me. The authors have done their homework, know their history and the city of Paris - but the writing is hard to follow and I was a little (just a little) bored with it.Please don't let my review hold you back from reading this book. I would suggest you maybe check it out from the library and see if you like it or sit down and read the first chapter before you purchase it. It may intrigue you enough and perhaps you'll really enjoy it.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book starts just as Paris is about to be liberated from the Germans but it does set up a bit of the back history of the resistance movements going on during the occupation. The Free French following de Gaulle and the various communist groups all worked to rid the country of the Nazis and each expected their party to rule after their goal was achieved. History has shown how it all played out and this book uses the conflict between the two groups to good use.The Mona Lisa is one of France's greatest treasures. The fear of losing it is the premise of the book. My problem is that although she is considered a masterpiece and a major work of art she never impressed me and all the fawning done over what is a very small, dark painting didn't ring true to me. I have seen the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and I was disappointed at best. I can understand the popular feeling of losing a treasure but not all of the individuals in the book exclaiming over this painting.That being said......I did enjoy the overall story. It moved along quite nicely and the characters were well rounded. I found myself rooting for the main romance between Gabi and Eric - they worked well together both as spies and as boyfriend/girlfriend. It was fascinating to learn about the various efforts to keep the Mona Lisa hidden and far away from Nazi hands. The epilogue did seem a bit of a non sequitur with nothing in the beginning of the book to precede it.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey has done it again! They co-wrote The Swiss Courier together and wow! I was blown away then and I'm once again blown away by their ability to write a smooth flowing, complex, edge of your seat novel once again. I loved The Swiss Courier, and I LOVED Chasing Mona Lisa!Eric and Gabi, Swiss spies, are back and in full swing of things as they taken on another fast-paced thrilling case....this time, chasing down the infamous Mona Lisa painting during the liberation of France. Instantly, you're transported to Erik and Gabi's side. You're in the middle of the fast past thrills and the rush of adrenaline as you learn things about the art work being stolen...and just who is behind it all.Eric and Gabi's skills are amazing as they work together to right the wrongs. With secrets uncovered, twists and turns among every page, and characters that jump from the pages in this awesome WWII novel, this is a novel that will leave you feeling breathless in the end.I definitely recommend this novel. Rich in complexity and amazing historical detail, this novel is worthy of so much more than just 5 Books! Eric and Gabi aren't ones to be missed on their missions, that's for sure! The ending of this story is a whopper of unexpectedness and I can't wait to see if these two incredibly amazing authors collaborate once again to bring their fans another amazing Swiss spy novel! INCREDIBLETASTIC work, Ms. Goyer and Mr. Yorkey!This review originated at Reviews By Molly in part with a blog tour.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5This fast paced novel is set at the close of World War II in German occupied France just as France gains it's freedom. Four people are racing to save the beloved French artwork - the Mona Lisa while German Reichmarschall Hermann Goring sets out to claim it for himself.
From the first page the action and intrigue is non-stop. I was surprised at the depth of the characters since there were so many in the novel. Just as the reader thinks they have it all figured out - and have chosen the character they want to see win - things change. As it is in war time there are so many dynamics that the reader is torn between loyalty for certain characters and the greater cause.
What is it about this mysterious lady that makes her the most sought after piece of art - she truly is the most wanted lady in the world? Yet as each character takes their first look at this beloved piece of art they are captivated by her smile and poise.
I am forever amazed at the this particular period of history. Those living in this time were forced to make choices that I would never want be forced to make. Loyalty is constantly tested as black and white shifts to a hazy color of grey. Which side is the right side to belong to - and how should one serve to benefit the whole?
In this story you are invited into an exciting, life altering race that will forever change the lives of four individuals. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Decent read and has some momentum but lacks intensity. Good use of historical events around the liberation of Paris during the Second World War.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5If you don’t know much about the Second World War, or even if you do, Chasing Mona Lisa will present to you a different slant on how things were. Tricia Goyer and Mike Yorkey take the reader into the drama and danger of the time when Nazi Germany was overpowering Europe and laying claim to all the wealth they wanted.Hitler’s Germany had overrun France, and some over-zealous prominent military officials were determined to add to their private collections as much valued artwork as they could.We meet the famous Louvre’s curator who is responsible for priceless art treasures sought by the above-mentioned officials. We also meet spies, a few members of the Resistance group determined to get their country – and their country’s art treasures – back, some other interesting characters who round out the story, and a convincing glimpse into World War II.Chasing Mona Lisa holds the reader’s interest from the beginning to the end. It is impossible to tell who of the two authors, Tricia Goyer or Mike Yorkey, wrote which part. It is a well-delivered story, full of tension, excitement, faith, hope, drama, intrigue, suspense, and there are history lessons to be learned amid the fiction built around the facts. The reader gets drawn into a time of war, and introduced to situations where there is theft, kidnapping, a little romance, deception, blackmail, and more.I found Chasing Mona Lisa to be a fast-paced book, one I was eager to pick up again after short periods away from my reading. I had to know what was going to happen next! And my guess is you will, too.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book starts just as Paris is about to be liberated from the Germans but it does set up a bit of the back history of the resistance movements going on during the occupation. The Free French following de Gaulle and the various communist groups all worked to rid the country of the Nazis and each expected their party to rule after their goal was achieved. History has shown how it all played out and this book uses the conflict between the two groups to good use.The Mona Lisa is one of France's greatest treasures. The fear of losing it is the premise of the book. My problem is that although she is considered a masterpiece and a major work of art she never impressed me and all the fawning done over what is a very small, dark painting didn't ring true to me. I have seen the Mona Lisa in the Louvre and I was disappointed at best. I can understand the popular feeling of losing a treasure but not all of the individuals in the book exclaiming over this painting.That being said......I did enjoy the overall story. It moved along quite nicely and the characters were well rounded. I found myself rooting for the main romance between Gabi and Eric - they worked well together both as spies and as boyfriend/girlfriend. It was fascinating to learn about the various efforts to keep the Mona Lisa hidden and far away from Nazi hands. The epilogue did seem a bit of a non sequitur with nothing in the beginning of the book to precede it.