Set in 1940 during the German invasion of France, the narrative follows a chaotic exodus from Paris as civilians flee an oncoming army. The first movement, Storm in June, tracks the Péricand family, a wealthy clerk named Michaud, and an arrogant writer as they navigate clogged roads, air raids, and a total collapse of social order. The second movement, Dolce, shifts focus to a small provincial town under German occupation. Here, Lucile Angellier lives under the scrutiny of her mother-in-law while a German officer is billeted in their home, creating a tense atmosphere of collaboration and hidden resentment.
Readers of historical fiction choose this work to observe the immediate, unfiltered psychological reactions of people living through a national catastrophe. Because the manuscript was written as the events unfolded, it lacks the benefit of hindsight, offering a stark look at class prejudice and survival instincts without romanticizing the resistance. Anyone interested in the social dynamics of occupied Europe will find a detailed study of how neighbors betray or protect one another when daily life is governed by military law. The reader gains a visceral understanding of domestic life under wartime pressure.
Deep and thought-provoking; a moderate read.
Best for readers like The Deep Diver. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2004
- Language
- EN
