Suite Francaise – Irene Nemirovsky (2006)
We read this book for our November book club read and had mixed reactions to it. The book is written as two stories, which most of us felt were almost as two unconnected ones. This I found disappointing, as did others in the group as it left a sense of incompleteness. The first part is set around the German invasion of France during the Second World War and details the occupation, and importantly, the responses and reactions by the people of the time, whereas the second novel includes more romance and a much more fictional feel.
I was pleasantly surprised about how I was kept interested in the lives of the people who were packing their worldly possessions to move out of Paris for fear of the Germans coming. The stories of the rich and wealthy and how they manage to survive despite a world war in full progress illustrated the realities of social stratification. I found it interesting and insightful that the German soldiers were presented as ‘ordinary young men’ who simply had a job to do. People they encountered carried on their daily business and the irony of the end of the different characters kept me amused (characters died under normal circumstances rather than the result of war). In our group, some of us felt lost with the different characters and had to stay focused to keep up, perhaps because there was a lack of continuity and many characters that dropped in and out of the story. All in all, I was glad to have read this book although in truth it is not one I would have chosen on my own, so its just as well it was a book club must for us!
This is the first photograph taken for my blog by Bu Yousef. I am delighted with the result. Thank you.
Um Yousef
16 November 2008 at 10:15 pm
Bu Yousef
20 November 2008 at 4:48 pm
I had a hard time reading Suite Francaise, too, but the funny thing about the book is how much of it has stuck with me. I can still see them travelling in the southern part of France, trying to escape, with all those other cars on the road. I can still see the cat who jumps from the windowsill.
The suite IS incomplete. My book has a historical addition to it; Nemirovsky was captured and sent to the concentration camps. It totally gave me shivers. I think she would have tied it all together, but never got the chance.
I love this blog. Amu, at Life in the Fast Lane gave it a mention, and I am so glad he did.
intlxpatr
16 December 2008 at 7:18 am
I think Nemirovsky’s death in the concentration camp invoked more interest in the book, than perhaps if her life had not ended so tragically.
I’m so glad you like the blog. Amu has done some wonderful advertising with his mention which has generated so much interest. I hope you’ll keep on visiting
Um Yousef
17 December 2008 at 2:07 pm
I’ve wondered about that myself, whether the author’s tragic death had spurred all the sudden interest. I did enjoy the book tho, it was interesting and real, and like all good books, the images and dialogue still echoed in my mind long after I had finished it.
You might be interested in reading her other works. They’re mainly short stories. I highly recommend “Le Bal” and “David Golder”.
I enjoyed going through your blog =) It’s always a joy finding book blogs around. Was wondering whether you were familiar with shelfari?
Anne-girl
18 December 2008 at 9:56 pm
Thanks Anne-girl for your comments and recommendations-I shall look into those. Glad you enjoy the blog. I am familiar with shelfari and love browsing.
Um Yousef
19 December 2008 at 9:02 am