I picked up this 1920s novel not knowing what to expect, and it completely pulled me into another time.

The Story

Aïssé is a young woman with a painful past. Taken from her home in the Caucasus as a child, she ends up in Paris as the ward of a wealthy French family. She's adored for her beauty and exotic charm, but she's never truly at home. The plot turns on two loves: one is the Chevalier d'Aydie, a kind French officer who offers her stability and respect in this new world. The other is a fellow Circassian, a connection to the roots and identity she was forced to leave behind. Her heart and her history are at war, and the elegant salons of Paris start to feel like a very beautiful cage.

Why You Should Read It

Schickele doesn't just give us a romance. He makes you feel Aïssé's deep, aching loneliness—the cost of being forever seen as 'the other,' even by people who mean well. It’s a story about the price of assimilation and the longing for a home you can barely remember. Aïssé herself is unforgettable. She’s gentle but has this fierce inner strength; you're rooting for her to find a piece of herself she hasn't lost.

Final Verdict

This is for you if you love character-driven historical fiction that feels relevant. If you've ever read a novel about displacement or cultural identity and felt that pull, you'll connect with Aïssé's struggle. It’s a quiet, powerful book that stays with you, perfect for a thoughtful weekend read. Just be ready to have your heart tugged in two directions, right along with hers.