France, 1940The German army has marched into Paris. Three siblings, three very different people leading very different lives, find themselves face to face with new occupants of their city, and none of them can guess what the occupation has in store for them, and how it will change their lives once and for all.Giselle Legrand, a renowned novelist and a socialite, encounters an unannounced guest in … unannounced guest in her apartment – a newly arrived chief of the Gestapo, Sturmbannführer Dr. Karl Wünsche, who is intended to billet there and who soon starts making rather unwelcome changes in Giselle’s lifestyle. Strong-willed and defiant, Giselle gets involved with one of the first Resistance cells, refusing to submit to the newly established authority despite the developing relationship between the two.
Kamille Blanchard, a new widow of the war left alone with a small daughter, is dreading the approaching army. However, she never expected that she could find love in the arms of an officer, who appears at her door as soon as the German army marches in. But will Kamille be able to trust a former enemy when he has to choose between his feelings and the duty for his country?
Marcel Legrand, a former history student and a deserter, fearing the capture by the Germans has no other choice than ask for the help from the ones he used to fear and avoid – the mysterious communists, who call for an uprising and freeing their country from the Nazi plague.
Soon, the fates of all three siblings will become intertwined in a dangerous knot, all of them, fighting for the same goal: a liberated France.
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Fantastic descriptions are found throughout the narrative, which is set in Paris during the German occupation of WWII. Three siblings deal with the harsh realities of war. Giselle, a celebrated author has lived a fairy-tale existence up to this point. She has always been the most gifted child and everything has always come easy for her. Younger brother, Marcel joins the French military but deserts before the Germans arrive, his heroic dreams of valor are crushed by the grim reality of war. The third sibling is Kamille, she became pregnant and married a man who would have much preferred her beautiful and glamorous sister, Giselle. Kamille is soon widowed after a series of bombings catches her husband with one of his mistresses.
All three learn to deal with their new circumstances in one way or another as they struggle to survive, Well written and highly recommended.
I have read two other Ellie Midwood books and this one is very different to the others- and not in a bad way. This story is told from three siblings points of views and gives an unconventional look at the war through each of their unique eyes. It shows beautiful the unfolding of a situation that must have looked so differently from being on the inside than for us looking back at it with hindsight. The characterizations as usual are captivating and compelling from start to finish. And as with the other books I have read by this author, you are left pondering the book long after you are finished. Thoroughly recommend.
I knew I was going to like this book, as all of the other books I have read by this author have been good, but it still managed to exceed my expectations. It is about three siblings and how differently the invasion of France during WWII affects them. The characters are so believable that, while reading, it is hard to remember that this is fiction. The story and the way it is written will stop you putting this book down.
This historical novel of the occupation of Paris by the Germans in World War 11 is very well written. The story revolves around one family and how their life’s change drastically when Paris becomes occupied. The characters are complex and very believable. The author brings this history to life that keeps your interest with mystery and intrigue. Highly recommend.
Explore intertwined fates of three siblings in occupied France in this fast-moving novel. Giselle, a wealthy and well-known author, works underground with her brother Marcel in the Resistance; Kamille becomes involved with a German billeted in her home. Characters live and breathe, inserted into unwelcome and dangerous times. Moving tales, breath-stopping believable situations.
I liked that this was a different setting , a different view of the way the Nazis took over in this era . In this read , you have the viewpoint of three siblings , how they each are affected by the take over , rather its fighting for the land and rights , or falling in love with the enemy , these siblings are a part of history though many would not assume they are any different than the person next door .These siblings each have a story to be told . The feelings one feels for someone on the wrong side , the feeling of fighting for mankind when your scared and young , the rebellion of one sister who feels she can do as she pleases despite the danger it entails. This is a Strong Story line with a good viewpoint .Listening to this on Audio brought it to life even more
I love reading stories about daring and brave, strong women. Giselle is such a woman who falls into this catagory. I was impressed by her cunning and guile. A French woman with a dangerous agenda in Nazi occupied France. The limits she is willing to go to in order to keep her homeland is exceptional. A truly enjoyable and open reality story.
So good I want to read the next in the series!
Loved it!
Different but I really enjoyed it.
Tragic book about Paris during the occupation in WWII. The characters kept me reading, wanting to make sure they survived. Read for yourself and find a wonderfully written story.
The Indigo Rebels, a Trilogy of the French Resistance
Book One of this thrilling trilogy begins with the German invasion of France and in particular with the variety of emotions and reactions of the citizens of Paris as they face the unthinkable, the army of the Wehrmacht marching along the Champs Elysee like Ghengis Khan parading his hordes after conquering his enemies in Mongolia and China. The huge swastika billowing in the wind from Etoile or the Arc de Triomphe and to the smaller Nazi flags hastily suspended all along the Place Vendome, the heart & soul of French culture, art & elegance, it would create so many conflicting emotions among the local populace as to how they should or would react.
It is in this suspenseful and threatening scene that the author introduces us to Giselle Legrand a sophisticated and elegant Parisienne and a writer of popular novels with a devout following. Her sister Kamille, whose philandering husband had died in an air raid in Northern France, is living with her very young daughter in her parents in law’s apartment. Completing this familial group, is Marcel Legrand, Giselle and Kamille’s younger brother who has lost all contact with his fellow soldiers as the remnants of the humiliated French Army escape the hell of the front lines while trying to make their way south without officers or direction.
It is with these three protagonists the author weaves a compelling story throughout the Trilogy of resistance, collaboration, and murder both in the occupied territory, as well as in the Vichy controlled Free Zone of France before it too, was subjected to enforced Nazi rule. The roundup and deportation of French and foreign Jews will forever be a stain on French history in which the Vichy government fully supported. Collaboration for some meant having food for a starving child or parent, for others, it may have been falling in love with one of the enemy and still others it was a means to satisfy their greed by gaining an advantage over their less fortunate compatriots.
In terms of historical content, no one, in my opinion, comes anywhere close to Author Ellie Midwood in bringing a realistic and accurate picture of the state of the Resistance in France during WWII. Oh yes, there are clinical and academic descriptions of this era as well as historical novels, but when Ms. Midwood places you in the mind of Klaus Barbie the Butcher of Lyon and his torture of Giselle, only then can you fully understand the enormous barbarous deeds he undertook in the name of the Gestapo. The damage he did to the Resistance in the region was incalculable as well as the murder of thousands of innocent citizens.
As a survivor of WWII myself and my late wife who suffered deprivations under Nazi occupation in France, I can relate exactly to the narrative that Ms. Midwood has published. If you want a truly accurate picture of that period in history, with all of its emotions, conflicts, and errors of judgment, then this Is, a must read! In fact, I would go so far as to say, the three books of the Trilogy should be part of any high school required reading curriculum, albeit some of the sexual scenes would have been censored in my day, However, today it’s different, and seniors would actually learn some WWII history which in many schools is sadly lacking.
This story only begins to be about the French resistance during the Second World War. Most of the story is about two sisters who struggle to cope with the changes in their lives brought about by the occupation and their relationships with German officers required to be housed with them. Both sisters’ characters are well-developed in the course of the story. How they fell into, and then out-of, relationships with the occupiers is fascinating and is an original and somewhat sympathetic take on some of those called “collaborators”. I enjoyed the read immensely.
This is the first book in The Indigo Rebels series by Ellie Midwood and focuses on three siblings who are very different; Giselle the successful writer, Kamille the widowed housewife, and Marcel the intellectual that is forced into the French army. Despite their differences, they all find their lives changed in drastic ways when the Germans occupy their country. For Giselle and Kamille, this involves German officers moving into their homes. While Kamille’s new occupant is kind and human, Giselle’s is anything but and Giselle finds herself in a difficult situation. As for Marcel, he joins the Resistance and his actions soon propel Giselle and Kamille to become involved.
I have read Ellie Midwood’s works before and thoroughly enjoyed them, so I was not at all hesitant about reading this one. It was a well researched novel with an interesting plot but some aspects of the characters didn’t feel as developed as I might have hoped. I would have liked Kamille’s relationship with her lover to be more developed before their romantic relationship actually begins, simply because I found it to be a bit rushed. I also struggled to keep interest in what was happening with Marcel, though I found the development of the character of Philippe to be very good. Giselle’s character, however, was perfect and I enjoyed following her story. Regardless of this, this novel is worth a read and I looked forward to reading the second novel.
This book takes you back during a part of history that is indescribable. This author transports the reader back to that time where life choices were made with limited knowledge . It makes the reader wonder “What would I have done in that same situation?”
This book is different from other resistance novels I’ve read. The beginning is a bit slow and playful but becomes intense as the story develops. The characterization is well done. Giselle is the center of the story, and like the story itself, she is at first nonchalant about the German occupation in Paris. She’s infuriated when a German tenant is forced into her apartment, but that’s only because her own space is invaded. Towards the end of the book she grows into a serious fighter. Giselle’s sister Kamille is gentle and mature, but also lonely and needs love desperately. One thing I like about the book is its objective portrait of the German soldiers. While Giselle’s lodger is cold and vicious, Kamille’s is kind and loving.
The tragedies of the Paris occupation come to life in this story of three siblings who must each make difficult decisions. Heart breaking yet inspirational.
interesting and compelling
Could not put it down. Worth the time wonderful.
The first book in a new series by Ellie Midwood.
What I love about this book is that they make you think and ask yourself the question ‘What would you do?”. This book shows that war isn’t black and white and there are good and bad people on both sides.
I love seeing how each of the three siblings comes to term with the war and what to do to save themselves and others. Their actions surprised me and I was cheering Giselle on in the end.
I look forward to reading the next book