Letitia
8.5/8.5
Is a sucker for WWII stories and found the women's viewpoint here a fresh approach. Did some research and this story was inspired by the real Nightingale who was from Brussels. Thought the author did a great job describing the horrors and atrocities of war. Liked learning about the Resistance and France's Vichy Government. References to both in the movie Casablanca (a favorite of hers) make more sense now. She thinks she would behave more like Vianne, than Isabelle whom she was frustrated with at first for being so hotheaded. She was reminded a bit of Cold Mountain what with Vianne being left behind to manage a small farm. When it mattered, Vianne was able to step up and do what needed to be done. Letitia kept asking herself how far would you go to protect your family? She liked the line, Love has to be stronger than hate or else there is no future for us.
Sandy
7/7
Thought the author did a good job of describing what it must have felt like to house the enemy. There were good soldiers and evil soldiers, but the majority were just good young kids. She thought that Isabelle was a little shit, and that her dad was an ass. Sandy was suspicious of his breakdown after his wife died and also didn't buy his conversion at the end of the story. Vianne reminded her of Harriet Tubman saving the orphans, and she figured Vianne likely would have killed herself if she hadn't had her daughter to take care of. Sandy liked the book and learning about the role of women in the Resistance.
Pat
8/8
I was prepared to dislike it. I didn't feel like reading a WWII book, and it started with flowery descriptions (literally) so I thought it was going to be chick flicky. However, it slowly drew me in and I couldn't put the book down after I got into it. It filled a lot gaps in my knowledge about the French Resistance (ie Hogan's Heros). The author did a great job describing the paranoia that all the characters had to deal with and I thought she handled dramatic material without resorting to melodrama.
K' Lynn
7/7
Panicked at first when she saw that it was 438 pages, but it kept her attention from the beginning and she read it voraciously, finishing in just four days. K'Lynn is drawn to WWII stories, especially from a woman's perspective. And these were exciting, strong female characters in a good story. Vianne had so much to deal with, how to get food, Jewish friends, getting medicine, living with a German officer, and all of it was very believable. She thought that Isabelle was the narrator and was surprised when she wasn't. Was glad to hear that it was historically accurate. I would recommend.
Michelle
8.5/8.5
Couldn't put it down. Loves WWII stories and hearing about it from a woman's perspective was great. She liked the relationship between the sisters and how they were polar opposites of each other, though it was a bit hokey at times. Liked the relationship between Vianne and her Jewish friend. It was so sincere. She didn't mark anything in her book which shows how enthralled she was with the story. Thought the author did an excellent job describing the women's bravery and courage. She loved Beck and found that situation very believable. Would recommend.
Artie
7.5/7.5
Thought the writing was just ok. He could sense the author's romance novel background, but thought the topic was quite an accomplishment. Maggie mentioned here that there was a similar situation in England (sans occupation) and the women left behind were called Farm Girls who had to run the farms and such while the men were away. Artie found Vianne having to let Daniel go to America after the war very moving. He thought it a bit melodramatic that the tree Vianne chose to place ribbons in died. Overall it was a good read, informative, and he would recommend.
Carolyn
7/7
Also panicked when she saw how long it was, but found it engrossing. She couldn't figure out which sister was the narrator, and didn't like those parts. She Googled the Pyrenees and found news articles about children of the downed pilots who hiked it after the war. Here is something similar. The idea of crossing the Pyrenees during WWII, at night, with nothing but the clothes on your back stuffed with newspaper, over twenty times! is unimaginable. Carolyn liked Beck and expected romance between him and Vianne, though she did think he could've been more generous with food. For the women of WWII, there were no parades or medals, they just did what needed to be done.
Maggie
6.5/6.5
Thought it dragged with a sugar coating until Sarah was shot at the border. She thought the trek across the Pyrenees was pivotal to the plot, but glossed over. We didn't need an account of every trip, but she would have liked more detail than their feet got cold and it was steep. (Not sure if this is any good, but here is Cruel Crossing) Maggie figured there had to be a twist, so the narrator must be Vianne. She didn't love the book, but wow, it showed the brutality of war. Women had to face the Germans and she kept thinking, 'What would I do to protect my child?' Wondered how many women had German offspring. Maggie also thought Beck was a nice human being.
Becky
6.5/6.5
Disagreed with everyone on Beck! He was manipulative and simply used Vianne to get what he wanted. As for their attraction to one another, "OMG! Ewwwwww! Thank God she killed him." Fieke's mother had soldiers billeted in their house and his grandmother wouldn't accept food from them. They ate tulip bulbs with the servants. Becky was frustrated with Isabelle because she was so reckless. Vianne was quiet and brave and went against her nature to succeed. Becky liked this line, In love we find out who we want to be, in war find out who we are.
Next meeting is September 14th.
Next book is Love Creeps by Amanda Filipacchi
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