Comments on: Suite Française

By: Lynn

Lynn — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:24:32 +0000

Grace, the book came out in France a few years ago and was translated into English last year, so yes you can probably find it just about anywhere.

The first two parts of the novel that Ms. Némirovsky had completed were probably not the final version, which should be kept in mind while reading, but yes, the fact that she was writing about the Nazi occupation while she was actually living it is of historical importance in my opinion. That’s why I found the Appendix II and the preface so important.

I’m sure some publisher is, (or should be!) writing Denise Epstein’s memoires! The story of her and her little sister only five years old hiding for three years in a catholic convent and then forced to leave and to hide underground in cellars is a story of it’s own that needs to be told now that Denise is already 78 years old. Hopefully she has many healthy years still ahead of her like her grandmother who lived until 102!

If you read French, you can read more about Denise here.

By: GRACE

GRACE — Mon, 13 Aug 2007 02:59:07 +0000

Lynn, just reading this review gave goosebumps. This is actuallya historical piece and not just a novel written more than 50 years ago. I wonder if I can find this in US bookstores.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:09:36 +0000

I agree Dave, it would be fascinating to know Denise and Elisabeth's story and how Denise carried the manuscript with her throughout the war.

Another thing that would be interesting to know is if they ever did reconcile with their grandmother in later years.

By: Dave

Dave — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 20:49:22 +0000

I hadn’t heard about SF, but I went out and bought the book after reading what you wrote. I agree with you, her daughter’s story would make a great book.

By: Lynn

Lynn — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 17:26:36 +0000

Thanks Clara! As I’ve stated, and Geoff confirms, the story at the beginning does start off slow, but if you trudge along it begins to build; besides these first parts were more than likely not her final drafts. Unfortunately the heart of the story was yet to come if Ms. Némirovsky had survived.

By: Clara

Clara — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 16:05:26 +0000

Apart from my favorites such as The Hiding Place, Night and of course, The Diary of Anne Frank, I’m not fond of fiction but for this novel, I’m now compelled to read it. Great write-up!

By: Travel & Culture Review Round-up

Travel & Culture Review Round-up — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:02:50 +0000

[...] finally, for some summer reading, Lynn at The Paris Traveler reviews the best-selling novel Suite Française, a story written by a woman who perished at Auschwitz during WW-II, yet her daughter was able to [...]

By: Lynn

Lynn — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 23:23:24 +0000

Your family’s story sounds interesting as well especially when you can add a personal touch with letters, photos, etc. which gives a whole other dimension to what’s being told and makes it so much more real.

By: Mary Emma Allen

Mary Emma Allen — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 21:26:05 +0000

What a fascinating story, Lynn…both Irene’s story and the novel. I’m always intriged by diaries found and stories based on true life situations. I’m in the midst of writing stories based on my ancestors’ lives during the Civil War and other times in US history. I discovered more about their lives when some letters cropped up, making these people become more real to me.

By: Reviews, Reviews, Reviews at the Travel & Culture Channel!

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews at the Travel & Culture Channel! — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 07:37:40 +0000

[...] for myself, I give my take on the bestselling novel Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. Just the survival of the manuscript itself would be an incredible tale of [...]