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.
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It was a good read with interesting characters and a historical point of view.
This is a depiction of life under German troops in France, giving a different view if D-day. From other reading this was scarily accurate. It concerns me that people can become monsters, because from marrying into a 1st generation German family I know how warm & kind they can be.
Portrays the bravery and ingenuity of the human spirit to not only survive but to show kindness and generosity to others regardless of the danger involved.
I love historical novels and this was a great and fun read. I highly recommend it.
Very unusual tale.
Wonderful depiction of how the French villagers lived during Nazi occupation before the allied forces arrived.
If you are interested to learn more about the World War II resistance efforts and heroism by ordinary citizens, This is an excellent book.
World war2, Germany ooccupied land, and how the villagers survived and sometimes outsmarted the enemy. Great read.
Having visited Normandy I knew some of the facts of the invasion but never thought of the effects of the German encampment in the surrounding villages. This was a wonderful story of the resiliency of the townspeople and how they survived.
Not as good as The Nightengale, but an inspiring view of the French Resistance in Normandy
Heart tugging. A glimpse back into history of what did or could have occurred. A page turner. Sad yet uplifting.
An excellent story that truly needed to be told.
This is an historical book set in WW2. About how the people, one lady especally helped the people of a little village that had been occupied by the Germans. The Germans took most of the food from the people of the village for the German troops. There was plenty of food for the people of the village but the Germans were greedy. I enjoyed this book very much.
This is a wonderful story about a young woman’s determination to survive and help her fellow-villagers to survive in World War II Germany.
Makes one aware of the many atrocities of the Natzi party and Gestapo during WW11 as well as the bravery of those willing to sacrifice all to help save others from starvation and suffering.
A war story that illuminates the creativity used by some to survive. Worth reading.
This was not exactly what I was expecting but it was good. It showed how an ordinary person can help many in a terrible time. I will probably read again at a later date.
I couldn’t even finish it.
I really love historical fiction when it has a strong character, and Emma was a great one. The author caught her indomitable spirit and surrounded her with a village of interesting supporting characters.
Well written, memorable characters, gut wrenching tale of the sacrifices made by the citizens of occupied France near the site of the d-day invasion and the courage and tragedy of those allied soldiers who came to save France. Having recently visited the area, it was all the more disturbing. But a great read.