I am beginning a WW2 kick. I just finished this historical novel by Kristin Hannah, and soon will be reading books about women at Ravensbruk and, of course, All the Light We Cannot See. There's a plethora of books about this period so I'm in luck.
The two main characters in this novel are sisters -Isabelle and Viane - who cannot be more different in personality with Isabelle being very rebellious and Viane being more practical (which, given that she has a child makes sense on some level as there is more risk). The novel itself takes place mostly in France from the period of 1939through 1945, prime World War 2 years and details each woman's response to the war and German occupation. Isabelle joins the revolution while Viane remains at home, attempting to keep things as normal as possible for her child.
The book may seem intimidating at well over 400 pages, but it is well worth the read and the hype. So. Good. Hannah really sets the place well - as a result it is as almost as if you are walking with each character in the time and location that they are in, experiencing what they are experiencing as they are experiencing it. No detail was left out. The perspective of the women who had to endure the war was a welcome perspective as it doesn't seem to be one that has been discussed all that much. It is compelling and exciting and pretty fast paced.
Definitely worth the read.
