I adore WWII era novels but the hard part is, there are so many books set during that time and honestly—all of them sound amazing! Every time I get pitched a new WWII era novel, I want to read them all! Some distinguish themselves more than others but that doesn’t mean that I didn’t review it because it wasn’t distinguished enough—-it simply means that my review calendar is full!
This book came across my desk and is out now. I wanted desperately to read it right away but I have so many other books to get through this month that I opted to share a little about this one instead and then read it later this summer. The thing that caught my eye about this one was that it was about a Russian Jewish family that immigrated to France.
Often WWII books feature Jewish families but from Poland or other Eastern European countries, but there are not really a lot of books with a Russian perspective. I thought the Russian perspective sounded intriguing and would offer a unique lens to view the war from. Add in the heart breaking choices a mother must make, has all the ingredients for a unique WWII novel! I am excited to read this one later this year but for now check out all the details and pick up a copy using my link below!
Summary
In the spirit of We Were the Lucky Ones and We Must Be Brave, a heartbreaking World War II novel of one mother’s impossible choice, and her search for her daughter against the odds.
As a Russian Jewish émigré to France, Vera’s wealth cannot protect her or her four-year-old-daughter, Lucie, once the Nazis occupy the country. After receiving notice that all foreigners must report to an internment camp, Vera has just a few hours to make an impossible choice: Does she subject Lucie to the horrid conditions of the camp, or does she put her into hiding with her beloved and trusted governess, safe until Vera can retrieve her? Believing the war will end soon, Vera chooses to leave Lucie in safety. She cannot know that she and her husband will have an opportunity to escape, to flee to America. She cannot know that Lucie’s governess will have fled with Lucie to family in rural France, too far to reach in time.
And so begins a heartbreaking journey and separation, a war and a continent apart. Vera’s marriage will falter under the surreal sun of California. Her ability to write–once her passion–will disappear. But Vera’s love for Lucie, her faith that her daughter lives, will only grow. As Vera’s determination to return to France and find Lucie crystalizes, she meets Sasha, a man on his own search for meaning. She is stronger with Sasha than she is alone. Together they will journey to Lucie. They will find her fate. (summary from Goodreads)
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