In the spring of 1939, Paris is preparing for war. A little blind girl, Marie-Laure, lives with her father who works at the Museum National d’Histoires Naturelle where he is busy packing valuable artifacts to hide from the Germans. During the occupation, they flee to Saint-Malo on the coast of France with one of the museums most valuable treasures.
Told through the alternating voice of Werner, an orphan German boy who grows up with his sister secretly listening to stories from places they have only dreamed of. As a young boy, Werner understands the power of mass indoctrination and realizes that his fate will not be the one of his dreams but rather a pre-determined life of military service to the oppressive Nazi regime. He teaches himself to fix radios and soon becomes an expert whose skill is required to track down the resistance. Werner’s work with the Germans leads him to Saint-Malo and to Marie-Laure, whose uncle has been broadcasting secretly for the resistance for years. When he realizes that a Nazi officer is searching for an artifact hidden by her father, Werner feels the need to protect Marie-Laure and he does what he can to keep her safe.
This is a story rich in period detail that will appeal to those with an interest in
WW II. Filled with complex relationships and difficult choices, this novel weaves an affecting tale of heartache, loss and the challenges the human spirit faces in the worst of circumstances. This is a moving story of people trying to be good to one another during a horrific time in our world’s history and it is a worthwhile book to settle into during the long winter months. Until next time…have you read a book today?
Julie
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