3.5 stars. A fictionalized meeting between Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert. The concept intrigued me, though I know little about Flaubert. I found Florence Nightingale to be...really annoying and also truly endearing at the same time. Her struggles to do what she thought she was called to do and also be a dutiful daughter-it seemed really true to life and the time in which she lived. ( )

Beautiful writing but I had trouble with the plot. The individual voices of Nightingale and Flaubert were fine but whenever they were together, I wasn't convinced. I felt like the author was grasping for something she could never quite capture. ( )

Florence Nightengale and Gustave Flaubert were the exact opposites: she a prim and proper upper class English woman and he a French man obsessed with prostitutes. As was common for the time in the 1800's, both found themselves cruising down the Nile River to explore Egypt's antiquities. She was chaperoned by an older couple and a personal maid, Trout. He was accompanying a photographer friend. They happened on accident to meet and a strange relationship developed.

Florence has never met anyone like Gustave and he has never met anyone as naive as Florence who at the same time is chafing under the strict cultural rules of the time. Having turned down a suitor, Florence does not want to be married, fearing that she would lose all independence if she did. She is brilliant and has a great desire to be useful in the world, unlike the rest of her family. Flaubert wants to write, but is frustrated with subject matter having written one very unsuccessful novel. Added to this mixture is Trout, her maid. Trout does not want to be in Egypt, does not understand Florence, and frustrates Florence who thinks of Trout as only "dull." The trip down the Nile and then overland through the Sahara Desert on camels allows each person to see the other in a totally different light.

The kidnapping of Trout by a group of Bedouins is a bit of a stretch, but adds to the story a sense of mystery when it causes Florence to read Trout's diary. Although the two as maid and lady are physically close, they know very little of each other.

I loved this book which actually made me laugh out loud at times. The description of the anxiety of Florence and the antics of Gustave are so totally believable. There are passages that are almost embarrassingly raw and border on weirdness, but it is not gratuitous; they are essential in the understanding of a man such as Flaubert. Great read. ( )

This is not an easy book to review. There is a lot of talking, thinking within it. Just living life. A flow of words, excellent writing and just a look into the souls of two famous individuals.

Florence Nightingale and Gustave Flaubert did travel the Nile at the same time, but no they did not meet. This is a what if book, what if they had met. Become friends and what else.

Two intelligent people who crave more meet, become friends and confidantes. Flaubert wants to write a novel, but is having problems with it. He does not want to marry and he loves his prostitutes.

Florence wants something more from life. Not the drudgery of marriage, being shackled and not being able to do more. What that more is she does not yet know. She wants to find her calling, the calling God has promised her. Their friendship is raw somehow, they share, they talk. But they also wish and that is not the path they should take.

What to say really. Shomer has a way with words, even if not much happen, and even when things to happen. Well things just are. There is something sobering over this novel.

They travel Egypt, together, apart. And maybe in the end they find their calling.

Conclusion:
It's not a book you race through, you take your time, and wonder. I did like her style. ( )

Wonderful writing, but I grew rather bored. ( )