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    The Ambassador's Daughter
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    The Ambassador's Daughter
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    The Ambassador's Daughter
    Ebook369 pages6 hours

    The Ambassador's Daughter

    By Pam Jenoff

    4/5

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    Currently unavailable

    Currently unavailable

    About this ebook

    From the New York Times bestselling author of The Orphan's Tale


    Paris, 1919.
    The world's leaders have gathered to rebuild from the ashes of the Great War. But for one woman, the City of Light harbors dark secrets and dangerous liaisons, for which many could pay dearly.

    Brought to the peace conference by her father, a German diplomat, Margot Rosenthal initially resents being trapped in the congested French capital, where she is still looked upon as the enemy. But as she contemplates returning to Berlin and a life with Stefan, the wounded fiancé she hardly knows anymore, she decides that being in Paris is not so bad after all.

    Bored and torn between duty and the desire to be free, Margot strikes up unlikely alliances: with Krysia, an accomplished musician with radical acquaintances and a secret to protect; and with Georg, the handsome, damaged naval officer who gives Margot a joband also a reason to question everything she thought she knew about where her true loyalties should lie.

    Against the backdrop of one of the most significant events of the century, a delicate web of lies obscures the line between the casualties of war and of the heart, making trust a luxury that no one can afford.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarlequin MIRA
    Release dateFeb 1, 2013
    ISBN9781460303344
    Unavailable
    The Ambassador's Daughter
    Author

    Pam Jenoff

    Pam Jenoff was born in Maryland and raised outside Philadelphia. Upon receiving her masters in history from Cambridge, she accepted an appointment as Special Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The position provided a unique opportunity to witness and participate in operations at the most senior levels of government, including helping the families of the Pan Am Flight 103 victims secure their memorial at Arlington National Cemetery, observing recovery efforts at the site of the Oklahoma City bombing and attending ceremonies to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of World War II at sites such as Bastogne and Corregidor. Following her work at the Pentagon, Pam moved to the State Department. In 1996 she was assigned to the U.S. Consulate in Krakow, Poland. It was during this period that Pam developed her expertise in Polish-Jewish relations and the Holocaust. Working on matters such as preservation of Auschwitz and the restitution of Jewish property in Poland, Pam developed close relations with the surviving Jewish community. Pam is the author of The Kommandant's Girl, which was an international bestseller and nominated for a Quill award, as well as The Winter Guest, The Diplomat's Wife, The Ambassador’s Daughter, Almost Home, A Hidden Affair and The Things We Cherished. She also authored a short story in the anthology Grand Central: Original Postwar Stories of Love and Reunion. She lives outside Philadelphia with her husband and three children.

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    Reviews for The Ambassador's Daughter

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    • 4/5
      Pam Jenoff's newest release, The Ambassador's Daughter, is one of those books that I had a hard time putting down. In fact, I'm a bit divided about this book because, even though I did truly like it, I wasn't a huge fan of the main character.For those that have read Jenoff's The Kommandant's Girl, this newest book takes place before the events in that particular books, so you may be happy to discover that some of the characters in that novel make appearances in The Ambassador's Daughter. As someone who hasn't read the Kommandant books, I found the descriptions of those books to be a bit spoilery, since they, in effect, reveal some things about the future of the characters in The Ambassador's Daughter. So, if you're first experience reading Jenoff is The Ambassador's Daughter, DO NOT read any reviews or descriptions of the Kommandant books until you've finished and are ready to move on!I'd categorize this novel as historical fiction with strong romance elements, as, for me, I felt like the focus was more on the history and politics. Even though I know very little about the time period, I didn't find myself getting too confused by events. I think it helped immensely that the reader sees everything through the eyes of a naive 20-year old, meaning that everything is slowed down and simplified as she reflects upon the events and situations she finds herself thrown into. I can't say for sure that everything in the novel is historically accurate, but it felt realistic and, for me, that was enough.As noted earlier, I didn't find much to like about Margot Rosenthal. She felt quite silly to me... she was terribly naive and almost seemed to let herself fall into unfortunate situations, which she then complained about and fretted over to no end. I like my characters to take responsibility for their actions and fight for what they believe in, and I did not see Margot as this type of character at all. In the end, she finally does what I felt she should do all along, but it wasn't something she actually made the choice to do. Instead, things just worked out. Dislike! Take some initiative, Margot! I had to keep reminding myself that she is only supposed to be twenty, which is quite young, but, in my opinion, she could have used a bit more fire.I think, because Margot felt so young and silly to me most of the time, I found her relationship with Georg Richwalder, an older man, improbable at times. In retrospect, I even found it a bit uncomfortable. It'd be one thing if I felt Margot was mature with a sensibilities that made her feel older than her twenty years, but this was not the case. I'm a bit unsure as to why Richwalder would be interested in someone who, to me, was a child. Margot's father spent much of the book trying to both support Margot while warning against the match and I can't say I disagreed with him. I felt that Margot had a lot of growing to do and that a relationship with a broken, potential alcoholic like Georg was not in her best interest.Despite my issues with Margot, I really did love the setting and even started to take interest in the political and military scheming of the era. I developed a soft spot for the Polish musician Krysia, displaced from home and without a country. My great-grandparents came from Poland and, though I don't know near as much as I should about the country and my heritage, I couldn't help but feel a kinship with her. I was very happy to discover that Krysia is also a character in Jenoff's other novels. I plan to read the rest of Jenoff's novels because, though I wasn't a fan of Margot, I really did enjoy Jenoff's writing, the complexity of the plot, and the secondary characters (which, thankfully can be found in the Kommandant books!). The romance is there if you're a reader that gravitates toward that in particular, but I appreciated this book much more as a historical drama.
    • 4/5
      Oh, Margot. If only you'd read The Kommandant's Girl. I don't think I've ever read a prequel... it was strange and the "main guy" didn't appear for 80 pages, but it was GOOD! Knowing what was going to happen in the future was interesting. I'm thinking there will be another book squeezed between #.5 and #1. Enjoyed the three I've read so far. Same nice character development as the others. Nice job Pam Jenoff!
    • 4/5
      Takes place after WWI when the powers are in Paris splitting up territory and deciding the fate of the defeated German/Austian/Hungarian empires. The central character is the daughter of a German ambassador working to find a peacetime solution that prevents future wars. The daughter grows as a strong women thru ordeals and encounters with others in Paris.A story of love, betrayal, friendship and mystery.
    • 5/5
      WOW! This was an amazing story about a German woman living in France during WWI who feels trapped, her life already mapped out for her. It seemed like every other chapter ended on a cliffhanger, and I couldn’t put it down. Also, this is one of the few books that I didn’t correctly guess the ending!
    • 4/5
      What a great book! This is said to be a prequel, and just happens to be my 1st Pam Jenoff read, so I am looking forward to continuing with the series. This is definitely a love story, however, it is wrapped around historical events following World War One, that make this such a great read. Great mix of history, espionage, politics and of course the love story. Well developed characters that come alive on each page. Never a dull moment, unpredictable, a real page turner. Loved it!

      1 person found this helpful

    • 4/5
      It is 1919. Margot Rosenthal is 20 years old and in Paris accompanying her father, a German diplomat, who is attending the peace conference following the Great War. Margot is a reluctant visitor – she feels distrusted by the allies for being a German and distrusted by the Germans for being a Jew. Margot is engaged to Stefan who she has known since their schooldays. It was an impulsive engagement and one which she may be regretting. Stefan was about to go to war and Margot accepted his marriage proposal without thinking about the consequences too much. When Stefan returns at the end of the war he is badly injured and Margot is torn between her feelings for Stefan and her desire for independence. With her father concentrating on the conference, Margot is left to her own devices and is bored. Her ensuing friendship with Krysia, a young Polish musician who has secrets of her own, brings her into contact with some shady characters and the story then leads to blackmail and espionage. Margot finds herself having to make some very difficult decisions, not least because she has met Georg, a young German soldier who is also part of the delegation and brings into question her feelings for Stefan. Margo is helping Georg with some translation work for the conference and finds herself increasingly drawn to him. This is more than just a romance story and I found it an interesting and compelling read. I didn’t really know much about the Treaty of Versailles and after reading this book, I was interested enough to look into it further. There were occasions when the dialogue seemed out of place for the period but this didn’t affect my overall enjoyment. The atmosphere of post-war Paris was well described and the characters were believable and engaging. There are secrets and twists throughout the book and it was interesting to see Margo’s character mature as the story neared its conclusion. My thanks to Newbooks Magazine for the review copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
    • 3/5
      Blackmail and betrayals, romance and guilt, they all play a part in this story. This book is a prequel to The Kommandant's Girl and The Diplomat's Wife. It’s 1919 and twenty-year-old, Margot is staying in Paris with her father, an ambassador working for the German government on the Treaty of Versailles. She is bored and lonely, until she makes friends with Krysia, a mysterious musician. Margot inadvertently repeats secret information putting her father’s reputation in jeopardy. George Richwalder, a handsome naval officer, also working for the German government, offers her work as a translator and Margot can't help being attracted to the emotionally damaged, but charismatic officer. She begins to question her feelings for her fiance, Stefan, a soldier slowly recovering from his catastrophic wounds back home. Her father expects her to want to return to Germany to marry Stefan, but Margot keeps prolonging her return as best she can.

      I think, because Margot felt so young and naive to me most of the time, I found her relationship with Georg Richwalder, an older man, fairly unrealistic and a bit strange at times. If Margot was mature with a characteristics that made her feel older than her twenty years, it might have been a bit more plausible, but this was not the case. I'm a bit unsure as to why the older Richwalder would be interested in someone who is portrayed as still a child.

      I'd categorize this novel as historical fiction with strong romance elements. I'm not a huge romance fan but I found the history and politics of the time interesting and the romance a bit melodramatic. I can't say for sure that everything in the novel is historically accurate, but it felt realistic to me. I do recommend that you read this book if you intend to read The Kommandant's Girl, as there are spoilers in it regarding the history of these characters. I do think The Kommandant's Girl is a much better book and readers can skip this one if they choose.
    • 4/5
      An overview of The Ambassador's Daughter, which I'm explicating here after a bit of reflection, draws me to see how the post-war statesmen in the Ambassadorial staff of the WW I treaty negotiations had a very harsh rebuff to their proposals and their business trade agreements during the Paris Treaty conference described in this novel, and how it affected the survival of those from Germany and their future ability to thrive within a faltering economy. The German staff were closeted away and were receiving directives while their former occupation countries were writing the script on newly established defense rules, reparations, and territory.Against this background, a young woman has accompanied her father to the meetings because she needed a constant chaperone, in the person of her father, as was expected during that era. I sense that Pam Jenoff writes this novel based on her research about the cultural history of a world just trying out women's suffrage rights. Margot, the young woman who has to adjust to these stifling circumstances, is fluent with several languages, but she would not be allowed into the men's meetings to speak on international political negotiations and policy matters. The initial scene setting is quite detailed and gives enough background to draw the reader into the intensely sheltering constraints that became a necessity for safety due to the pervasive unrest, riots, and the large number of people who are adrift and separated from their property, kin, and livelihoods by the previous brutal war raging in the city of Paris. In addition, the anger against anyone from Germany is a flashpoint which Margot risks each time she goes out unaccompanied.Pam Jenoff writes for the reader who will be able to mull over the larger picture of the historical setting in Paris during this landmark Post-War treaty conference. The love story unfolds as Margot has this hiatus from being immersed in daily life, during a chance meeting with Georg, a German Naval officer assigned to the Ambassadorial staff in Paris. For those who like history, the plot brings in plausible elements of spying, counter-spying, and policy setbacks that set back any possibility of having one's lover, or one's intended, establish a home and some stability. It sets the stage for sequels and it gives ample understanding of the social risks and traps faced by the heroine.
    • 3/5
      This is the first Pam Jenoff novel I have read. Her books have been on my wishlist forever, and I have the Diplomat’s Wife on my TBR shelf. So, when I heard that this was a prequel to that “series”, I requested it from NetGalley. Even though these three books a mildly connected, it is still best to start at the beginning….I spent the first portion of this novel confused. In developing her story, she threw a lot of names, and places at the reader. I admit that I know next to nothing about WWI and it’s aftermath. So, yes, the politics and rebellion and spies…. I was struggling a bit. I will say though that Ms. Jenoff did a wonderful job setting the tone of post war France. The destruction of places, people, and lives was obvious. Even though the war was over and the countries were working on peace, it felt as though many, more personal wars were just starting. It feels weird saying this, but I felt bad for the Germans. They were invited to the peace keeping conference only to be treated as an ugly step-sister, and have their ideas ignored.Once I got a sense of what was going on politically and where the characters fit, I was able to relax and fall into a very good story. Of course once Georg arrived on the scene I could hardly put the book down. He was such an honorable, proud, and optimistic man. He was perfect for Margot, allowing her to use her education and intelligence.There were some interesting twists and turns in the story. Some that I guessed and some that I didn’t. Some conclusions were a bit drawn out for my taste. And more than once I found myself yelling at my iPad, “just tell him the truth… tell someone what’s going on!”Oh, and about the cover. I always, always forget to mention the covers in my reviews. But not this time. Although this isn’t particularly beautiful, it perfectly depicts what I loved most about this book. Margot in an embrace while off in the distance and in the back of her mind there is someone else. The embrace isn’t passionate, but is part love and part anguish. Perfect Plus the artwork fits in well with the other books in this series.Overall, I am glad that I requested this book and got an opportunity to read it. While reading this , I realized that while I do love historical fiction, I also crave a fantastic story with strong relationships and well developed characters. That is my dream meal, while historical fiction is my favorite restaurant. Once The Ambassador’s Daughter hit this magical combination, it became a fantastic read. I just wish it had happened sooner.Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.
    • 3/5
      Margot Rosenthal is accompanying her father to Paris. Margot’s father is attending a peace conference. Margot would rather be something else versus joining her father. However, when Margot thinks about where she should be and that is with her fiancé’ Stefan, Margot realizes that Paris is not so bad after all. It is not that Margot did not once love Stefan but since his return, he is a changed man. While in Paris, Margot meets Krysia, a piano player and Georg, a solider. Both Krysia and Georg will help shape and change Margot’s world forever. The Ambassador’s Daughter is like the fourth book that I have read by this author. I have enjoyed reading books from this author. Pam makes her characters feel alive and the world she builds around them in her books is great. It is like I booked a trip to wherever the story is based around. I have not read the Kommandant’s Girl, so I did not make the connection like some of the other readers did that this book was a prequel to the Kommandant’s Girl. Of course, not that it mattered to me as I still enjoyed this book. For me it probably was a good thing that I had not read Kommandant’s Girl this way I did not already know how it would all end. I was just able to sit back and read this book. I liked Margot although I can not say that I was in love with her. This is because, while Margot was nice so was almost too nice. I wanted her to have more of a back bone and stand up for herself and not try to be what everyone else wanted or thought she should be. For example, I thought that Margot should have cut off her engagement to Stefan. It was clear that Margot had strong feelings for Georg. The last few chapters tied up the story nicely. While there really was no surprises.