Based on the true story of the Nazi massacre of a French village in 1944, an unforgettable tale of love and redemption from the bestselling author of The German Girl. Berlin, 1939: Bookstore owner and recent widow Amanda Sternberg is fleeing Nazi Germany with her two young daughters, heading towards unoccupied France. She arrives in Haute-Vienne with only one of her girls. Their freedom is … her girls. Their freedom is short-lived and soon they are taken to a labour camp.
New York City, 2015: Elise Duval, eighty years old, receives a phone call from a woman recently arrived from Cuba bearing messages from a time and country that she’s long forgotten. A French Catholic who arrived in New York after World War II, Elise and her world are forever changed when the woman arrives with letters written to Elise from her mother in German during the war, unravelling more than seven decades of secrets.
Inspired by one of the most shocking atrocities perpetrated by the Nazis during World War II, the 1944 massacre of all the inhabitants of the village of Oradour-sur-Glane in the south of France, The Daughter’s Tale is a beautifully crafted family saga of love, survival and hope against all odds.
‘Breathtakingly threaded together from start to finish with the sound of a beating heart.’ THE NEW YORK TIMES
‘Not many novels bring me to tears… it takes a special storyteller to tell the tale of such devastation. It seems so wrong to say I loved this book, but I did. I loved, I learned, I cried.’ Natasha Lester
‘Reminds us that it is in the darkest gardens that the brightest seeds of hope are sown’ Kristin Harmel, bestselling author of The Room on Rue Amelie
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Loved this book and endorsed. Good, realistic treatment of historical circumstances in the WWII era showing how non-Jewish citizens helped shelter Jewish people from the Nazis.
This is going to be my shortest review so far. If you have read “The Daughter’s Tale” there is nothing I can say that you have not already felt. If you haven’t read it yet, anything I can say will be short of what would most likely be the best reading you have done this year.
“The Daughter’s Tale” is a heart wrenching story filled with love and hope “against all odds”.
‘Nothing in all of existence is stronger than love, nothing!’
A deftly woven novel of women who find the courage to make impossible choices in a terrible time, of sisters split apart by the cruelties of war, of identities lost and found, of families formed and shattered. Through the stories of unique and sympathetic characters, Correa explores the tension between focusing on the present in order to move forward — and the heartbreaking consequences of forgetting who we are. The Daughter’s Tale continues to live on in my imagination long after I reached its redemptive closing scene.
A beautifully rendered tale about sacrifice and resilience, and of a mother’s relentless will to save her daughters in the face of annihilation. Set against one of the most harrowing events committed by the Nazis on a civilian population, this novel is heart-wrenching as it is luminous, proving that familial bonds cannot be shattered by brutality or weakened by distance and time — and that it is in our darkest moments that we find our true strength. Correa’s masterful prose sank deeply into my heart.
Sweeping and searing, THE DAUGHTER’S TALE doesn’t shy away from tragedy, but author Armando Lucas Correa’s memorable tale reminds us that it is in the darkest gardens that the brightest seeds of hope are sown.
I am not sure where to start!
No one should question the love a mother has for her children.
Amanda did the unthinkable only to save her daughters lives.
The journey that Lina/Elise had taken was one that no child should have taken. I know there were misplaced children during this time frame.
To read how their lives were before, during and parts of after the war will break your heart.
The Daughter’s Tale is a great read, very detailed about the incidents that had happened. The lives that were taken and how some survived.
I liked how the book ended
Truly one of the most moving and heart breaking books of WWII genre. It was so good I couldn’t put it down. The massacre of the French village of Oradour-sur-Glane toward the end of the war by SS troops is included as is the fate of the ocean liner St. Louis. Beautifully written and memorable characters. Definitely a 5 star read for me.
Another amazing book. It’s sad to hear all the things that went on back then and to hear about what some of these people went through shooting and burning of bodies in churches and barns. This author does amazing job telling these people story. I had moments where I cried. I listen to this has audiobook. i highly recommend this book. I will be reading anything from this author. So I hope he continues to write amazing books. I will say one thing. I can’t believe how this book has so many mixed reviews. I am glad that read this book and his first book The German Girl. Will forever be in my heart. I will always remember these characters from both books.
This book was an okay read. Compared to others of a similar genre, I don’t think it is the best out there, but I did learn a bit about WWII France that I was not aware of.
Excellent drama and family portrait of the horrible times during WW2.
Egrossing. Didnt want to put it down. Touching and encouraging . The strength of the characters is admirable.
An amazingly written story that left me no choice other than to be emotionally drawn to and invested in the characters and their lives. My advice is to have a box of tissues/Kleenex at your side as you shall be needing them as you read this book. The only time I put this down was when I could no longer see through the tears and needed a break to compose myself. If you only read one book this year then read this one.
It is so important that we are able to read books that pertain to this era in our history. I found this to be a very compelling story filled with love, heartache and sacrifices. No one knows the lengths they will go to, to save and protect their children until they are faced with the situation. I would definitely recommend this book to those looking to better understand what life was like back then.
First off, let me say historical fiction is definitely not my favourite genre to read. All things considered, The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa is a poignant depiction of the lengths a mother will go to sacrifice for her children under horrific circumstances.
Amanda Sternberg is devastated when Nazi’s take her husband into custody. Amanda is left to care for her two children, Viera and Lina. With strict instructions left by her husband, Amanda grapples with the idea of sending her two girls on a refugee ship to Havana, Cuba. Viera is old enough to care for herself yet Lina is not. Viera is sent to Cuba on her own by her mother.
Amanda and Lina are then taken by the Nazi’s, and forced into a labor camp. The two suffer tremendously. Amanda scarifies and endures for her daughter until one day Lina escapes to a French village. Lina, now known as Elise, has to face the true meaning to survive and persist.
This book was beautifully written. Armando Lucas Correa’s writing was almost lyrical, with the dialogue and descriptions captivating every chapter. His use of vivid imagery and emotions is what makes him a wonderful author. I can understand why many called this a heart-breaking novel, Correa brought out emotions I didn’t realise I could feel for a historical novel.
That being said, I did have an issue with the modern day story of Elise. It didn’t really fit for me. It could have been left out and it wouldn’t have made a lick of difference for me. But one character I really wanted more of was Viera’s! Her backstory was never told and I really wanted to know more about her. Had these two character developments been swapped, I would have rated this novel much higher!
The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa is a tragic story that captivates emotions I wasn’t ready to feel for a historical fiction novel. From the writing to the pace, Correa does a magnificent job bring out the horrific details that millions of people faced during WWII. It is a poignant novel to say the least, especially in the times we live in now. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Atria Books and Armando Lucas Correa for an ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Read my full review here: https://bit.ly/2Jbkc0R
Based on a true events The Daughter’s Tale is a a view of a Jewish mother trying to survive with her two daughters. A haunting read of survival during the terrible times of World War 2. Very moving story that had me shedding tears.
I received this ARC from Net Galley and the publisher and all opinions are mine.
I am a big fan of WWII historical fiction even though most of the time I do end up teary-eyed and just heart broken with events that took place during that period of time. It is important, though, that these stories be written so we don’t forget the horrors that occurred. Mr. Correa has written a beautiful and heart wrenching book about the sacrifice a mother makes in protecting her daughters from the ravages of war. Wonderful characters that will be difficult to forget. A Daughter’s Tale is one that should not be missed.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the review copy.
Favorite Quotes:
Elise tried to stand up, but could feel her heart failing her. She was losing control over herself, over the life she had so carefully constructed. She could see her own face at a distance, staring at the scene from afar like another witness in the room.
Since his schooldays in Leipzig, Julius had been fascinated by the heart—its irregular rhythms, its electrical impulses, its alternating beats, and silences. “There’s nothing stronger,” he told her when they were newlywed and he was still at the university, always adding the caveat: “The heart can resist all kinds of physical trauma, but sadness can destroy it in a second. So no sadness in this house!”
Whenever you’re afraid and can feel your heart racing, start counting its beats. Count them and think of each one, because you’re the only person who can control them. As the silence between one beat and the next grows, your fear will start to disappear. We need those silences to exist, to think.
From this dark, cold place I can hear your heart. I know from memory all its movements. When you are asleep or awake, happy or sad, like today. My Amanda, I want you never to forget that we were happy once.
Claire looked down anxiously at the ebony box on Amanda’s lap. In the half-light, her friend’s face lost its soft outline and looked severe, imposing. “The only thing that unites me and my daughter is in here, Claire. Can you imagine that something so big could fit into such a small space?” There was no answer to a question like that.
My Review:
This was my first exposure to the phenomenal artistry of Armando Lucas Correa, and I will confess to being a smitten kitten. I quickly fell into his vortex as if under a spell, Mr. Correa appears to be a deftly skilled and superior Wizard of Words as I was definitely mesmerized. His premise was based on actual events and several of the horrific and diabolical atrocities dreamed up by the Germans – military and citizenry alike.
Mr. Correa’s writing was poignant, highly emotive, devastatingly evocative, and required occasional breaks in reading as my eyes were too wet to continue. His insightful and moving prose squeezed my chest, burned my eyes, and put hot rocks in my throat. His compelling characters were intricately drawn and I became so entrenched in their captivating storylines that their struggles became quite real to me.
Like most Caucasian Americans of European ancestry, I am unsure of much of my heritage as basically, we are all mutts and have absolutely nothing to feel superior about. I am uncertain if I have much if any German heritage in my DNA, but if I do, I want to know if it can be removed – pronto!
Vivid, stirring, and immersive!
The Daughter’s Tale is a gripping, moving story set predominantly in Germany and France during WWII, as well as present-day New York City, that follows the lives of the Sternbergs, a young Jewish family who at a time of horrific persecution and extreme brutality are forced to make unimaginable choices and heartwrenching sacrifices to keep those they love safe.
The prose is perceptive and descriptive. The characters are anguished, courageous, and resilient. And the plot using a past/present style unfolds chronologically into a tale of life, love, loss, family, friendship, injustice, guilt, self-identity, ancestry, war, bravery, and survival.
Overall, The Daughter’s Tale is a hauntingly tragic, insightful, heartrending tale that highlights the inconceivable hardships, suffering, and horrors endured during a heinous time in history and reminds us of the incredible power of familial bonds.
I enjoy reading different historical fiction novels about WWII. The themes are often resilience, and courage of every day people caught up in a war which is not their making.. I looked forward to reading The Daughter’s Tale by Armando Lucas Correa. The premise was good. A family is separated and we see the pain of a mother struggling to keep her daughter’s safe. Correa used actual events of the massacre of the small village of Oradour-Sur-Glane and the transatlantic journey of the St. Louis sailing to Cuba As the background for his story.. (I think it would have been very helpful to have the description of these two events to be placed in the preface rather than the author’s notes at the end of the book.) I found the book to be confusing. There was too much jumping around between characters and time period. To me, I felt the book was in a first draft state. I never felt emotionally connected to the characters. Thank you NetGalley and Arria Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I loved “The German Girl” by this author and was excited to read his new novel. From reading the blurb for this book I was hoping that there would be more and continued events and stories from people aboard the St. Louis. This is the ill fated ship that carried German Jewish families who had some funds hoping to land in Cuba. Unfortunately by the time the ship lands the Cuban officials refuse most of the passengers for political reasons and only a handful are allowed to disembark. This sent the rest to other countries that wouldn’t accept them and eventually back to Germany and for some concentration camps.
The book starts with a phone call that an older woman Elise Duval receives from someone who had recently visited Cuba. A woman and her daughter visit Elise and bring with them an ebony box containing letters, photographs and more. It is such a shock that Elise collapses and has to be taken to the hospital.
This book ultimately is a story of mothers and daughters and the difficult decisions that sometimes had to be made to protect their children. Some got sent away to live in another, safer country, some were sent to live in the French countryside which was felt to be safe. I thoroughly enjoyed these parts of the book and felt for the terrible decisions that people had to make.
I read a lot of WWII books and unfortunately for me there wasn’t really anything new in this book that I hadn’t read about before, although I appreciate the extensive research the author must have done to write this novel.
I already knew about the St. Louis from The German Girl and also knew about the terrible slaughter of women and children that was carried out in Oradour-Sur-Glane, by their own countrymen who were now following the Nazi’s and their rule of the country. Extremely immoral and unbelievable events.
I think that this is a good book to read, particularly if you know nothing about the above mentioned events. I did think there were a few too many characters to keep track of and at times I found it a bit confusing. There isn’t much that takes us back to Elise in her older age, and I think that would have made it more interesting for me. It’s still a good book and I recommend it to lovers of historical fiction.
I received a galley of this book through the publisher.
This brilliantly-written story begins in New York City in 2015. Elise Duval received a phone call from someone who said they had letters that belonged to her. When they arrive at her home, Elise recognizes the box that contains the letters written in German by her mother in 1939, and she collapses. The story then goes to Berlin in 1939 where Amanda, a bookshop owner, and her cardiologist husband, Julius Sternberg are happily married. They have two daughters, Viera and Lina. As the Nazis descend on Berlin, Julius is taken prisoner and sent to a camp where he dies. He had made prior arrangements for his wife and daughters to leave Berlin and move in with a widow whose husband was friends with Amanda’s father. From there the story takes on many different facets as the war begins and progresses until it finally ends. This is a story of love, survival, sacrifice and rebirth against the backdrop of devastating tragedy. I highly recommend this beautifully crafted novel to anyone who loves historical fiction centered around World War II. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this unforgettable book in exchange for an honest review.