MY THOUGHTS AND BOOK REVIEW
"The Girl from Provence" by Helen Fripp is a captivating and emotionally charged tale set in the South of France during the tumultuous year of 1942. Through the eyes of the resilient twenty-one-year-old Lilou, the novel unfolds against the backdrop of the Nazi occupation of Provence, bringing to life the sacrifices and struggles of ordinary people forced to navigate the complexities of wartime.
Lilou's idyllic life selling lavender honey in the village square is shattered when the Nazis arrive, and her best friend is cruelly taken away simply for being Jewish. Horrified by the injustice, Lilou makes a silent vow to sacrifice everything to fight for what is right. As the village becomes divided, Lilou becomes entwined with the French resistance, taking on dangerous tasks like smuggling hidden messages in fresh-baked loaves of bread and meeting Allied pilots in moonlit fields.
Fripp skillfully weaves a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, wondering if Kristian, a blue-eyed German soldier, is friend or foe. Lilou lives in constant fear that he might discover her involvement with the resistance. The tension escalates when she is assigned her most crucial task: hiding a frightened little boy named Eliot in her farmhouse.
Eliot, clutching a treasured children's book, becomes the center of the story. His silence conceals a story of stars, planets, and the night sky. Lilou soon realizes that Eliot's innocent facade may hold knowledge capable of altering the course of the war. The stakes rise when Kristian arrives at her farm in search of hidden Jewish families, putting Eliot in grave danger.
Fripp's storytelling is both stunning and heartbreaking, portraying the incredible sacrifices ordinary people make during wartime. Lilou's internal conflict, as she grapples with trust, loyalty, and the desire to protect those she loves, adds depth to the narrative. The novel explores the human capacity for resilience and compassion in the face of adversity.
For fans of Fiona Valpy and Rhys Bowen, "The Girl from Provence" is a must-read. Helen Fripp delivers a poignant and beautifully crafted novel that delves into the complexities of wartime existence, showcasing the strength of the human spirit and the enduring power of hope even in the darkest times.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture Publishers for an advance copy for my honest review.
BOOK DESCRIPTION
South of France, 1942. Twenty-one-year-old Lilou is selling lavender honey in the village square when the Nazis arrive in her beloved Provence. And when her best friend is dragged away simply for being Jewish, Lilou is horrified. As the village begins to take sides, Lilou secretly swears through angry sobs that she'll sacrifice everything to fight for what's right.
Drawn in to the French resistance, soon Lilou is smuggling hidden messages in fresh-baked loaves of bread and meeting Allied pilots in remote moonlit fields. She lives in fear that Kristian, a blue-eyed German soldier, knows about her work - but does he keep her secrets because he is undercover, too?
Everything changes when Lilou is given her most important task: to keep a frightened little boy, Eliot, hidden safe in her farmhouse. All alone in the world, Eliot refuses to speak as he clutches his treasured children's book close to his chest. Inside is a beautiful story of stars, planets and the night sky. But why is this innocent child the one, among thousands, who Lilou must save?
When she is told Eliot's book will help her decipher coded messages, Lilou knows he must have knowledge that could change the course of the war. But the day Kristian arrives at her farm searching for hidden Jewish families, Lilou is terrified that Eliot is in more danger than ever...
Can Lilou trust the one person who could tear her world apart? And will she ever help Eliot find his way home?
A totally stunning and heartbreaking read about the incredible sacrifices ordinary people are forced to make each day in wartime. Perfect for fans of Fiona Valpyand and Rhys Bowen.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR - HELEN FRIPP
- About the author:
- I love delving into the past and uncovering new stories, and in my writing, the tiniest historical detail can spark an idea for a whole chapter. My female characters rail against the social constraints to which they are subject and often achieve great success, but they are of course flawed and human, like the rest of us. It’s the motivations, flaws, loves and every-day lives of my characters that I love to bring life, against sweeping historical backdrops - and I will find any excuse to take off and research a captivating location or person for my next story.
- My first novel is set in the Champagne region in France, and I’m currently working on my next one, set in late eighteenth century Paris. I spent a lot of time in France as a child, have lived in Paris and spent a year with my family in a fishing village in South West France, so that’s where my books have ended up being set so far. Who knows where next!
- Author social media
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/helenfripp
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/helen.frippauthor.3
- Author newsletter sign up: https://www.bookouture.com/helen-fripp
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- Publisher : Bookouture (15 January 2024)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 306 pages
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