Nicole's War
By Andrée Rushton
Format: Paperback
(2 customer reviews)
Publication Date: 28 Jan 2024
£9.99
Want to buy as an ebook? Click hereCategories: Historical
ISBN: 9781915853769eISBN: 9781835740132
Description
Against the backdrop of France during the Second World War, Nicole, a young British woman, must face her own challenges. As the Nazi forces advance, Nicole tries to escape to England but becomes separated from her family and eventually returns to occupied Paris.
There, as the war intensifies, Nicole’s commitment to the Resistance deepens and she begins to write for the underground Valmy newspaper. However, her growing involvement leads her into increasing danger, facing the constant fear of arrest and execution or deportation.
Nicole’s War is an evocative and moving exploration of love, the power of hope in the face of adversity and the unyielding spirit of those who fought for freedom during one of history’s darkest periods.
Andrée Rushton lives in London and has degrees in both history and social work. She was a social worker before becoming a civil servant until retirement. Nicole's War is Andrée's third historical novel, following The War Baby (2016) and The Hanged Man (2020). Andrée also writes short stories and poetry and is the secretary of the Friends of Putney Library.
Reviews
Tim Shorter (Guest Review) - 02 Apr, 2024
Full disclosure. This author is my sister. She has written a number of books over the years, both fiction and non-fiction, and her fiction books are getting better as the years go on. This is by far the best of them. It is interesting, informative, emotional at times and well-written. The characterisation is good, the development of the story over the length of the book is good, and it is easy to put oneself into the shoes of the principal people described. It is partly based on our mother’s experience as a young woman in Paris before the second world war, and as a refugee after the German invasion, although from that point onwards, it diverts into pure fiction. Of course I recommend it, and you may say, “Well, you would do that, wouldn’t you?” Quite right. However, what I have said above is true , and therefore I do recommend it
John Fisher (Guest Review) - 15 Feb, 2024
Another enlightening book with such a strong, granular narrative. Like many, I suspect I had little or no idea what it is to be living under a Nazi or any hostile occupation.
Nicole's War is an anthem to why a free democratic world must never be taken for granted.
The book captured the devastating repugnance of arbitrary authority. I experienced a visceral reaction several times, not least when Nicole was jailed, beaten and humiliated.
The image of Nicole with a dog at her feet as she embarked on the long trek home from Bordeaux to Paris: an odyssey.
We are the generation with connections to people who fought in and survived this war. Nicole's War perfectly captures the war's brutality in all its forms. But also the courage, idealism and fortitude of young people whose resolute belief that freedom from an oppressor was worth repeatedly putting their life at risk.
This is an important book.
