A tale beautifully, wisely, and masterfully told.” — Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun
From the multiple-award-winning, critically acclaimed author of The Hummingbird and The Curiosity comes a dazzling novel of World War II—a shimmering tale of courage, determination, optimism, and the resilience of the human spirit, set in a small Normandy village on the eve of D-Day.
small Normandy village on the eve of D-Day.
On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy coast of France, Emmanuelle is making the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country.
Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake at the side of a master, Ezra Kuchen, the village baker since before she was born. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again.
In the years that her sleepy coastal village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves—contraband bread she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers.
But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.
more
depressing, nearly “hope”-less, too violent, one of few WWII books I have read that was written by a man instead of the many I have read written by women – such a different approach – too violent, vicious. Skimmed, did not finish.
Enjoyed this book – wish it continued longer to find out what happened to the main characters.
France under Nazi Occupation. A story of survival.
A wonderful story of one woman’s attempts to help her community survive the Nazi occupation.
A great novel about human survival during Wokkd war 2.
Lived it.
The story took forever to build and then it quickly ended. I was looking forward to reading this but was quickly disappointed.
Please don’t put this book to one side because it is just another WW2 novel. It is so much more. Very readable and just a bit different.
Helped me to understand a bit of the history of the Normandy invasion.
Couldn’t put it down! And I didn’t want it to end. Absolutely loved the characters and learned a lot of history!
A wonderful story incredibly well written. The best book I’ve read in a long time. A new book to add to my top 10 all-time favorites. 5+ stars.
This book of a woman’s courage and strength to circumvent the Nazis in her surrendered Normandy small town is beautifully written with well-wrought characters and an intriguing journey.
Emma, the baker of the title, and her fellow citizens are a curious and fascinating group … not always likeable – but always commanding of the attention and diverting. And the Nazis who have overtaken her village – and who have forced their way into her home – also have personalities and quirks that make them more than just stereotypical villains.
I heartily recommend.
The author’s journalistic background brings an important element to this gripping historical novel, highlighting the villagers’ desperation, determination, and clever resolutions that could make the difference between life and death.
Not my favorite WWII book but certainly worth reading.
Truly enjoyed it
A good look at what it might have been like to be an occupied country just prior to the Normandy invasion.
Cleverly written novel about survival during occupied France, culminating with the D-Day invasion.
Wow! I loved this book. Much like the author of the Nightingale, this writer makes even the bad guys sympathetic sometimes. A wonderful story!
What lengths will the residents in a small beach town in France so to survive when the German Army occupies the area? How can they outwit the Germans as they wait for the Allied invasion?
I am amazed what ordinary people did during Hitler’s reign that made them extraordinary!