Extraordinary Acts Of Bravery
The Secret Orphanage by Barbara Josselsohn is a powerful dual timeline novel that consumed me from the start.
The story is set in 1943 in occupied France and in 2018 in America. The storylines are linked by a granddaughter in present day, wanting to find out about her grandfather’s war. And also, about the author of a children’s novel that her grandfather read every night to her as a child.
We see that all is not as she first imagines as her beloved grandfather seems to be hiding a wartime secret. However, even an old photograph is not portraying the truth too. As her grandfather suffers from dementia, will the truth ever be known? Or will it be buried with him?
During the occupation, we witness the bravery of siblings who run a secret Jewish orphanage, right under the noses of the Nazis.
In 1943, an American lady finds herself pulled into the rescue of a Jewish baby. She puts the children first, with little regard for personal safety as she stays behind to teach the orphans.
The reader is drawn into the story as we marvel at the bravery of all involved. We also try to work out just who was the grandfather during the war?
There were extraordinary acts of bravery by ordinary people.
All the characters were well drawn, likable and believable.
The Secret Orphanage was an all-consuming read that I enjoyed.
I received a free copy from the publishers. A favourable review was not required. All opinions are my own.
JULIA WILSON
Book Description:
“Nobody outside the village knows the orphanage exists, Celina. We’re hidden by the mountains and everyone is sworn to secrecy. Please don’t give the soldiers a reason to come here…”
In a quiet village in German-occupied France, schoolteacher Celina ushers young Jewish children into her classroom. Watching their bright smiles as they learn how to write, she and sweet, handsome Remy promise to protect them. Every day she pretends to send them home, waving at the local police roaming the streets, as instead they sneak away to hide upstairs.
But Celina can’t stop thinking about the note left on her bedside table last night. Written in the secret code used by the Resistance, it told her a baby she’s sheltering could be reunited with its mother. Will Remy ever forgive her if she attempts to take the baby home? If she’s caught, they could discover the orphanage…
New York, present day. Haunted by a loss he refuses to speak about, Rachel’s grandfather is slowly losing his memories. Then Rachel finds a name scribbled into the old children’s book he used to read to her, which leads her to a French village with a dark and dangerous past.
Nothing can prepare Rachel for what she finds behind the orphanage’s crumbling façade. But as her own future becomes entwined with her grandfather’s wartime secrets, she will learn just how much courage it takes to follow your heart.
A breathtaking, emotional historical novel that will sweep you away to World War Two France, to the dangers of Nazi occupation, and the hope that prevailed in the darkest of times. For fans of Victoria Hislop, Soraya Lane and Fiona Valpy.
Author Bio:
Barbara Josselsohn is a best-selling novelist and journalist who loves crafting stories about strong protagonists facing a fork in the road. Her newest book is The Secret Orphanage, a multigenerational novel about an American schoolteacher who becomes embroiled in the French Resistance and a present-day librarian compelled s to discover her grandfather’s wartime secrets. Her earlier historical novels include the Sisters of War series (Secrets of the Italian Island, The Lost Gift to the Italian Island, and The Forgotten Italian Restaurant). She is also the author of five contemporary novels: The Lilac House, The Bluebell Girls, The Lily Garden, The Cranberry Inn, and The Last Dreamer. Barbara has written hundreds of articles and essays in major and regional publications about family, home and relationships. She lives just north of New York City and enjoys escaping to the beach whenever she can. Other than writing, her biggest passion is her family: her husband, her three kids, and her rescue pup, a mini-schnauzer named Albie. She is currently at work on her ninth novel.
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