Author, Kristen Hannah, presented an account of France during World War II
when Germany invaded. It brought to light the struggles of the French people with
emphasis on sisters, Isabelle and Vianne.
Much of the story told how different they were. Isabelle was strong,
rebellious and impulsive. Vianne was nurturing, cautious and always protective
of her family. Both sisters needed to be loved because they felt rejected by
their father when he lost his wife and had changed in personality after he
returned from the Great War.
Isabelle known as the "nightingale" was patriotic by helping airmen to
safety by traveling to the British consulate thru hazardous conditions. Vianne
was protective of children who were Jewish and separated from their family by
changing their identity and finding shelter for them with a Catholic orphanage. She took her best friend, Rachel's son into her home and pretended he was
adopted from a member of her family who had died.
In the ending of the story, they both found the love they both were
searching for was always there. In memories: wounds heal - love remains.
Our meeting was only 6 members, so we missed Alice, Edna, Grace, Pam and
Pat. We had a supper of chicken franchaise and pork chops with various sides.
After our discussion, we had tea and an array of desserts: peach cobbler, rice
pudding, coconut brownie and apple cake. Everyone at the meeting concluded that
the book was very good!!
"Till we meet again",
love to all,
love to all,
Dricka
