To Capture What We Cannot Keep

A Novel

By: Beatrice Colin

Narrated by: Polly Stone

Length: 11 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Set against the construction of the Eiffel Tower, this novel charts the relationship between a young widow and an engineer who, despite constraints of class and wealth, fall in love.

In February 1887, Caitriona Wallace and Émile Nouguier meet in a hot air balloon, floating high above Paris—a moment of pure possibility. But back on firm ground, their vastly different social strata become clear. Cait is a widow who because of her precarious financial situation is forced to chaperone two wealthy Scottish charges. Émile is expected to take on the bourgeois stability of his family's business and choose a suitable wife. As the Eiffel Tower rises, a marvel of steel and air and light, the subject of extreme controversy and a symbol of the future, Cait and Émile must decide what their love is worth.

Seamlessly weaving historical detail and vivid invention, Beatrice Colin evokes the revolutionary time in which Cait and Émile live—one of corsets and secret trysts, duels and Bohemian independence, strict tradition and Impressionist experimentation. To Capture What We Cannot Keep, stylish, provocative, and shimmering, raises probing questions about a woman's place in that world, the overarching reach of class distinctions, and the sacrifices love requires of us all.

Polly Stone, who was praised for her use of French accents in her reading of The Nightingale, will bring the same talent to her narration of To Capture What We Cannot Keep.

"Stone's French accents add authenticity and a sense of place to her reading." -AudioFile on The Nightingale

©2016 Beatrice Colin (P)2016 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Once I entered the world of Beatrice Colin's novel, To Capture What We Cannot Keep, I did not want to leave it! Set against the enticing backdrop of Parisian life in 1880's, as Monsieur Eiffel constructs his tower, this book is both daring in its historical scope, and rich in its intimacy. It is a must-read for every fan of Paris, for every fan of the fight for love against the odds, and for every fan of great and deeply satisfying storytelling.” —David Gillham, New York Times bestselling author of City of Women

“It’s sexy escapism, but the book’s real selling point is its illumination of 19th-century Paris and that phenomenal landmark.” —People Magazine (Book of the Week)

“To be in Paris to witness the construction of the Eiffel Tower is a magnificent occasion: to have a hand, however small, in its building, even better…This exquisitely written, shadowy historical novel will appeal to a wide variety of readers, including fans of the Belle Époque.” —Library Journal (starred review)

Splendid Period Novel

This was exactly as advertised - love the period it take place during, the building of the Eiffel Tower. It is well written and remains engaging throughout. I would definitely recommend.

Beautiful writing, gave such life to Paris

This is a beautifully written story with characters that the reader comes to care so much about. The descriptions are incredible and vivid. The author enables the reader to see, smell and taste Paris. There are many plot twists and turns, with a satisfying ending. And, as usual, Polly Stone reads so well which adds to the story's dimensions. She has impeccable rhythm and pronunciation, and even uses different voices for each character. Very easy to follow and listen to.

Loved it!

What a wonderful story. The writer leads us on a magical and enchanted journey through Europe and then Africa. One of the most gifted storytellers I have read in a long time and bringing scenes to life. I can't wait to read more of her books!

Interesting time period

Story was a little slow. Characters had more inner thoughts and not enough dialogue with each other.

Romantic Dream

History, romance, agony, scandal. I’ve listened to this once a year the last three years!

To Capture What We Cannot Keep

A little long. Could have told this story in less pages or in this case less hours. I would have liked to hear more about the building of the tower and less about the love lives of very immature young people in this story. I would give this story a C grade.

loved it

loved it!
loved the main characters
loved the details of the setting and time and historic figures

Interesting but a tad slow.

The storyline was interesting, but slow moving at times, but performances made up for that. The musical interludes throughout were annoying and di not add to the enjoyment of the Los tending.

Doesn't live up to its possibility...

This was part historical fiction and part romance. I expected a lot more about the Eiffel Tower. At the epilogue the author just neatly cleans up all the messes and creates an ending that is weak and not what the book has led us to. It was too shallow in most aspects. The reader is one I enjoy a lot in other works but in this there should have been Scottish accents and French accents. Very disappointing to hear American English accent for all.

Well done.

Very real and authentic. Kept me attention and pulled at my heart. Hope to read more from Beatrice Colin.