The Ambassador's Daughter

March 4, 2013
In Jenoffâs eloquent follow-up to The Diplomatâs Wife, conflicted Margot accompanies her German diplomat father to Paris for the treaty negotiations following WWI. Traveling to England and then France, Margot deliberately delays the inevitable return to Berlin and avoids the impending union with her injured fiancé Stefan. Guilty about abandoning their commitment, Margot feels detached from the life sheâs expected to lead, shielding herself "from the truth that inevitably awaits." Though at first an outsider in Paris and bored with the social functions she must attend, her world changes when she meets Krysiaââa pianist from Poland with radical political affiliations, an ethereal appearance, and an affinity for forthright speechââand then Georg, the striking but troubled German naval officer with "strong features, seemingly etched from granite." The two share an immediate and undeniable attraction, but with new introductions come new afflictions. Margot quickly becomes entangled in a political fiasco as well as a fairly predictable love triangle, but her indecisive character will keep the reader guessing as to the end result. A tale of surprise betrayals, unquenchable desire, and a necessary awakening, Jenoffâs thorough and elaborate descriptions of character and setting makes for a satisfying period romance.