Suite Francaise

by Irene Nemirovsky

This book is a great mixture of imagination and history of the fall of France in 1940. The first section "Storm in June," follows a cross section of the Parisian population as they come to terms with the impending disaster. Most of the characters are from the elite class and are spoilt and self centered. They feel they have a right to good food and lodging as they flee the capital. The story shows how much caste and class matter and how people were really on their own. The French countryside in all its lush summer beauty is described in contrast to the devastating path of the war.

The second part, "Dolce" covers the occupation by the Germans of a small French village. The French see the war as a conflict between the Germans and the British and they are just waiting for a return to peace and a normal life. Nemirovsky describes how easy it is for women to befriend the young German soldiers, especially when most of the village men are fighting or imprisoned. The Germans are depicted as individuals capable of acts of consideration and kindness instead of a monolithic evil force rolling over the countryside.

Once you have finished the book it is vital to read the appendix. The story of Irene Nemirovsky during the war and then what happened to her manuscripts until they were published 60 years later is another book in itself.

Cris Wilson