Review of The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
Posted: 03 Jul 2025, 22:33
[Following is a volunteer review of "The Curious Spell of Madam Genova" by J.G. Schwartz.]
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and The Curious Spell of Madam Genova is a novel I’ll be re-reading several times over the years to come.
I love the entire plot: Madam Genova enchants a pair of pocket watches, which doesn’t exactly work out the way she intended it to. Thanks to the “backfiring” of her spell, some of the most famous (and infamous) people of the 20th century, who end up in possession of the watches, have not only luck beyond their wildest dreams, but also stunningly horrific twists of fate.
Things I feel the author did amazingly well: incredible descriptions of small details, so much depth that you can definitely picture textiles that are described, like Madam Genova’s red scarf and long red skirt, and even the blue and red stripes on the sleeves of her white blouse. I could almost hear a faint jingle when I read about the gold coins she wears on that dangle in the middle of her forehead. I swear I could smell the molasses cookies she served to Jack and Joshua after her tarot session with Miss McConnell. The writing is so well done I felt like I was there, watching everything play out in front of me, rather than reading a book! Second amazing thing: her character development. The true people, such as the Guggenheims, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, the Kennedys, even the Lindberghs, just to name a few, were, of course, obvious. Yet the characters the author created, such as of course Jenny Genova, Monique LeClaire, Jack and Joshua, Nicolas Avril and so many others all fit right into where they belong and you would swear they were real people, too.
Things I feel could be improved: NOTHING I feel every part of this story is absolutely amazing and I am thrilled I have had the opportunity to read it.
I absolutely recommend The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
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The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon
I’m a huge fan of historical fiction, and The Curious Spell of Madam Genova is a novel I’ll be re-reading several times over the years to come.
I love the entire plot: Madam Genova enchants a pair of pocket watches, which doesn’t exactly work out the way she intended it to. Thanks to the “backfiring” of her spell, some of the most famous (and infamous) people of the 20th century, who end up in possession of the watches, have not only luck beyond their wildest dreams, but also stunningly horrific twists of fate.
Things I feel the author did amazingly well: incredible descriptions of small details, so much depth that you can definitely picture textiles that are described, like Madam Genova’s red scarf and long red skirt, and even the blue and red stripes on the sleeves of her white blouse. I could almost hear a faint jingle when I read about the gold coins she wears on that dangle in the middle of her forehead. I swear I could smell the molasses cookies she served to Jack and Joshua after her tarot session with Miss McConnell. The writing is so well done I felt like I was there, watching everything play out in front of me, rather than reading a book! Second amazing thing: her character development. The true people, such as the Guggenheims, Marilyn Monroe and Joe DiMaggio, the Kennedys, even the Lindberghs, just to name a few, were, of course, obvious. Yet the characters the author created, such as of course Jenny Genova, Monique LeClaire, Jack and Joshua, Nicolas Avril and so many others all fit right into where they belong and you would swear they were real people, too.
Things I feel could be improved: NOTHING I feel every part of this story is absolutely amazing and I am thrilled I have had the opportunity to read it.
I absolutely recommend The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
******
The Curious Spell of Madam Genova
View: on Bookshelves | on Amazon