As we witness the unfolding of the terrorist attacks in Paris this weekend, I am reminded of an excellent book I read earlier this year, The Nightingale set in France during the years of World War II. The story highlights the courage of the French people who were involved in the Resistance Movement during that time, but this is particularly the story of the courage of women – that of two sisters – who worked fearlessly, in different ways, to free or protect the citizens of France from the horror of the Nazi Regime.
The sisters, of very different temperament and ability to act, are forced to deal with the turmoil and despair of war, each with immense courage in whatever way they are able. Kristin Hannah’s writing is well researched, even to mentioning the Sisters of St. Joseph and the original six women! (I couldn’t believe it when reading the book!). She portrays the harrowing days with clarity, but moments of light, love and kindnesses emerge through the darkness.
This well researched epic novel is set for the most part in a small town in France during the occupation but it also gives a good picture of how Paris might have been during the years following 1941 when the Germans marched into Paris, till the end of the war in 1945. The ending will surprise you - the story goes further than 1945, but I will leave you to find that out.
There are many other good historical novels about the Resistance Movement in Europe during World War II – such as Villa Triste by Lucretia Grindle set in Florence (five stars) and All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – these can be for another day. And we can be sure that the resilience of the French people will emerge again today, as it has over the centuries in facing such injustices.
Guest Blogger: Margaret Magee
