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Books matching: german occupation

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  1. #1

    Five Quarters of the Orange by Joanne M. Harris
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    Set in rural France during World War II, "Five Quarters of the Orange" follows the life of Framboise Dartingen as she navigates the challenges of growing up in an occupied village. The story unfolds through dual timelines, showcasing the complexities of family relationships, survival, and the impact of war on a small community. Joanne Harris intricately weaves together past and present, offering a poignant narrative that delves into themes of mistrust, collaboration, and the enduring effects of wartime experiences. The book is characterized by its evocative prose, vivid descriptions of French countryside, and the central role of food as a metaphor for life and memory.

    When my mother died she left the farm to my brother, Cassis, the fortune in the wine cellar to my sister, Reine-Claude, and to me, the youngest, her album and a two-liter jar containing a single black...

  2. #2

    The Soldier's Wife by Margaret Leroy
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    Set during WWII on the Island of Guernsey, "The Soldier's Wife" by Margaret Leroy follows the story of Vivienne de la Mare, a mother of two daughters who finds herself living next door to German soldiers after the occupation of the island. Vivienne is faced with difficult decisions regarding her family, her loyalty, and her feelings towards a German officer, Captain Lehmann. The book explores themes of forbidden love, wartime struggles, and the complexities of human relationships during a tumultuous period in history. Leroy's writing style is described as elegant and detailed, allowing readers to feel the emotions, tensions, and anxieties of the characters.

    Blanche sprawls out on the sofa, pretending to read an old copy of Vogue, twisting her long blond hair in her fingers to try to make it curl. I can tell that she’s listening. Ever since her father wen...

  3. #3

    The Book of Ebenezer Le Page by G.B. Edwards
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    The Book of Ebenezer Le Page is a novel that follows the life of Ebenezer, an elderly man living on the island of Guernsey. Through Ebenezer's eyes, the reader experiences the changes in Guernsey from the early 1900s to the 1960s, including the impact of World Wars I and II, the German occupation, and the transformation of the island into a tourist destination. The book is written in colloquial language, providing a deep exploration of Ebenezer's friendships, the beauty of Guernsey, and the complexities of life on the island.

    Guernsey, Guernesey, Garnsai, Sarnia: so they say. Well, I don’t know, I’m sure. The older I get and the more I learn, the more I know I don’t know nothing, me. I am the oldest on the island, I think....

  4. 'The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society' is a heartwarming and poignant story set in the post-World War II period on the Channel Islands, specifically Guernsey Island. The plot is revealed through a series of letters exchanged between characters, shedding light on the German occupation of the island during WWII. The writing style is described as charming, light-hearted, and engaging, with a focus on relationships between characters and the historical backdrop of the war.

    Susan just gave me the sales figures for Izzy?I can scarcely believe them. I honestly thought everyone would be so weary of the war that no one would want a remembrance of it?and certainly not in a bo...

  5. #5

    Suite Francaise by Irene Nemirovsky
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    Beginning in Paris on the eve of the Nazi occupation in 1940, 'Suite Francaise' by Irene Nemirovsky tells the remarkable story of men and women thrown together in circumstances beyond their control. As Parisians flee the city, human folly surfaces in every imaginable way - a wealthy mother searches for sweets in a town without food, a couple is terrified about their jobs as their world begins to fall apart. Moving on to a provincial village now occupied by German soldiers, the locals must learn to coexist with the enemy in their town, their homes, and even in their hearts. The first part of the book recounts the flight of Parisians as they leave the city, while the second part depicts life in a small French village under German occupation.

    Nemirovsky's characters are vividly drawn and complex as they try to come to terms with their changing situation. The author's writing style is praised for its masterful portrayal of individuals dealing with the war and the occupation of France. The book weaves together a variety of perspectives, including the interactions between the French and German characters, showcasing the conflicting humanity given to the German soldiers during the occupation.

    Hot, thought the Parisians. The warm air of spring. It was night, they were at war and there was an air raid. But dawn was near and the war far away. The first to hear the hum of the siren were those ...

  6. #6
    Charlotte Gray
    Book 3 in the series:French

    Charlotte Gray - French by Sebastian Faulks
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    In "Charlotte Gray" by Sebastian Faulks, the story follows the titular character, a young Scottish woman, as she travels to occupied France during World War II on a dual mission to search for her missing airman lover, Peter Gregory, and to work with the French Resistance. The narrative delves into Charlotte's dangerous mission, her relationships with the locals, her involvement with persecuted Jews, and the complexities of wartime France under Vichy and German control. Faulks intricately weaves together themes of espionage, romance, and the harsh realities of war, creating a gripping and emotional storyline that unfolds against the backdrop of a small French town teetering on the brink of German occupation.

    Faulks employs a straightforward and unshowy writing style that immerses readers into the characters' lives, particularly Charlotte's, on a physical, emotional, and mental level. The novel is praised for its moving and harrowing depiction of wartime France, with scenes that evoke tears and resonate long after the book is finished. Through Faulks' skillful use of language and vivid descriptions, readers are transported to the tumultuous era of World War II, where Charlotte's journey of courage, love, and self-discovery unfolds amidst the backdrop of a war-torn country.

    PETER GREGORY KICKED the door of the dispersal hut closed behind him with the heel of his boot. He sensed the iciness of the air outside but was too well wrapped to feel it on his skin. He looked up a...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series French )

  7. #7

    The Paris Architect by Charles Belfoure
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    During World War II in occupied Paris, an architect named Lucien Bernard is hired to design secret hiding places for Jews, while also working on projects for the Nazis. The book explores the moral dilemmas faced by individuals on both sides of the conflict, portraying the culture of fear and the complex decisions made by the characters. The story follows Lucien's journey as he navigates between survival, compassion, and the harsh realities of war-torn Paris.

    In the very second that Lucien realized he and the man wore the same scent, L’Eau d’Aunay, he heard a loud crack. He turned around. Just two meters away, the man lay face down on the sidewalk, blood s...

  8. #8

    Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay
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    The novel "Sarah's Key" by Tatiana de Rosnay tells the dual story of the Vel' d'Hiv' tragedy in Paris during WWII and the modern day journalist, Julia Jarmond, investigating it. The book intertwines the heartbreaking tale of a young Jewish girl, Sarah, who is separated from her parents during the roundup of Jews in 1942 Paris, and Julia's journey as she uncovers the history of the event while facing personal struggles. The author's writing style effectively weaves together past and present narratives, offering insight into the French reaction to the tragedy and exploring themes of love, acceptance, and understanding across generations.

    HE GIRL KEPT CLOSE to her parents. They walked all the way down her street, the man in the beige raincoat telling them to hurry up. Where were they going? she wondered. Why did they have to rush so? T...

  9. #9

    The Prime of Life by Simone de Beauvoir
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    Simone de Beauvoir's 'The Prime of Life' delves into fifteen years of her life from 1929 to 1944, capturing the flourishing artistic world in post-World War I France and the rise of Fascism in neighboring Germany. The book vividly portrays her experiences during the Nazi occupation in Paris, including the liberation of the city. It also explores her intimate relationship with Jean Paul Sartre, their joint development as writers, and their unorthodox open relationship. The narrative provides detailed insights into the artistic milieu of Parisian life, their interactions with renowned writers and artists, and their dedication to literary achievement.


  10. #10

    Twenty and Ten by Claire Huchet Bishop
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    During the German occupation of France, twenty French children were brought to a refuge in the mountains. A young man requests that they hide ten Jewish refugee children from the Nazis. The French children, with their teacher, a Catholic nun, show great heroism in offering to share their food and bedding with the Jewish children and bravely face the Nazis alone. The story is suspenseful but ends beautifully and poetically, suitable for a read-aloud for young children.


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