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"Margaret Leroy writes like a dream" (Tony Parsons)"; 'With its stunning and evocative description of the Guernsey landscape, its subtle and astute depiction of a woman's relationship with her children, her lover and her husband, this absorbing novel is utterly beguiling.' - Rosamund Lupton author of bestselling SISTER. "I was riveted by Margaret Leroy's story of a mother on German-occupied Guernsey Island during WW2, trying to raise her daughters while struggling with questions no mother should have to face - including a secret love for a man forbidden to her." Jenna Blum, author of Those Who Save Us and The Stormchasers. "Leroy's beautifully rendered tale demonstrates how longing for normalcy during wartime can vanquish, even briefly, distrust and uncover common ground. Highly recommended." Library Journal starred review. "Leroy has written a tender love story wrapped around a horrifying account of unspeakable cruelty." Booklist. "Vivienne's measured, astringent voice is riveting and her moral ambiguity deliciously disturbing..." Kirkus Reviews. "Leroy lovingly portrays the era and the isolated Guernsey landscape while simultaneously offering an unsparing view of the specific horrors of war. Colourful, rich descriptions..." Publishers Weekly.
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A forbidden love...a private war. There's a sudden scatter of birds in the sky. I flinch. Little things seem violent to me. And in that moment my decision is made. It's 1940, Guernsey. Vivienne de la Mare waits nervously for the bombs to drop. Instead comes quiet surrender and insidious occupation. Nothing is safe anymore. Her husband is fighting on the frontline and the facade of being the perfect wife is cracking. Her new life is one where the enemy lives next door. Small acts of kindness from one Nazi soldier feel like a betrayal. But how can you hate your enemy when you know his name, when he makes you feel alive, when everything else is dying around you? Vivienne is fighting her own private war. On one side, the safe, secret, loving world she could build with her captain; on the other, virtuous loneliness and danger. It's time for Vivienne to choose: collaboration or resistance...Margaret Leroy explores a forbidden friendship in a frightening world. In the darkest hours in history, no choices are simple.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
16 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
When I read The Book of Lies by Mary Horlock earlier this month, it sparked my interest in the subject of the Nazi occupation of Guernsey during WW2, so I was very keen to continue this theme with Margaret Leroy's latest book.
Vivienne de la Mere's marriage is cold and unloving, and with her husband Eugene off fighting for the allies and food and other supplies becoming scarce, she is vulnerable to the kindness and generosity shown to her family by the German officers who move into the abandoned house next door. As her relationship with one of them develops, Vivienne's life becomes one of secrets and deception as she lies to her family and friends about where the gifts of chocolate and other luxuries came from. In return, Vivienne (always a bit of an outsider as she was born on the mainland) is regarded with suspicion by some of the islanders who observe her `fraternising' with the enemy.
This isn't a heavy, in-depth look at the depravations suffered by the people of Guernsey during the occupation, but it does deal with some serious issues such as the appalling treatment of the 'slave' workers who were put to work on the island, including Jewish and Russian prisoners. Most people's reaction at the thought of a woman becoming romantically involved with a German officer during WW2 would be "How could she?" but, as this book demonstrates, nothing is ever black and white. I guess it's reasonable to assume that people weren't aware of the full extent of the horrific acts carried out by the Nazis until after the war (and certainly not the residents of Guernsey who were effectively cut off from the outside world) and not all German soldiers were involved in the atrocities committed in their name. This book certainly gave me food for thought and I think it would spark an interesting debate at a book group meeting.
Just one niggle - the first person/present tense narration jarred a bit and, although I became more accustomed to it as the story progressed, I do think this story could have been more convincingly told in the past tense.
Vivienne de la Mere's marriage is cold and unloving, and with her husband Eugene off fighting for the allies and food and other supplies becoming scarce, she is vulnerable to the kindness and generosity shown to her family by the German officers who move into the abandoned house next door. As her relationship with one of them develops, Vivienne's life becomes one of secrets and deception as she lies to her family and friends about where the gifts of chocolate and other luxuries came from. In return, Vivienne (always a bit of an outsider as she was born on the mainland) is regarded with suspicion by some of the islanders who observe her `fraternising' with the enemy.
This isn't a heavy, in-depth look at the depravations suffered by the people of Guernsey during the occupation, but it does deal with some serious issues such as the appalling treatment of the 'slave' workers who were put to work on the island, including Jewish and Russian prisoners. Most people's reaction at the thought of a woman becoming romantically involved with a German officer during WW2 would be "How could she?" but, as this book demonstrates, nothing is ever black and white. I guess it's reasonable to assume that people weren't aware of the full extent of the horrific acts carried out by the Nazis until after the war (and certainly not the residents of Guernsey who were effectively cut off from the outside world) and not all German soldiers were involved in the atrocities committed in their name. This book certainly gave me food for thought and I think it would spark an interesting debate at a book group meeting.
Just one niggle - the first person/present tense narration jarred a bit and, although I became more accustomed to it as the story progressed, I do think this story could have been more convincingly told in the past tense.
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
This must be one of the best novels I have read in the past few months. I have not read any other Margaret Leroy books but this will make me try some of her other novels. I have never been Guernsey or any of the Channel Islands but this novel gave me a good description of the island and life there in the German Occupation.
The book is written in the first person (Vivienne)and in the present tense which seems to heighten the tension in the novel. There is a constant feeling that dreadful things will happen and as you read, you are are willing them not to.
Vivienne talks about the choices one has to make in life and how does one know what is the right thing to do. The island's menfolk are away at war and she has her 2 daughters and her mother-in-law to look after. She falls in love with Gunther, a German Officer, and this secret is one of several that she has keep.
I do not want to give any more of the plot away but the storytelling is very good keeping you gripped till the very last paragraph.
The book is written in the first person (Vivienne)and in the present tense which seems to heighten the tension in the novel. There is a constant feeling that dreadful things will happen and as you read, you are are willing them not to.
Vivienne talks about the choices one has to make in life and how does one know what is the right thing to do. The island's menfolk are away at war and she has her 2 daughters and her mother-in-law to look after. She falls in love with Gunther, a German Officer, and this secret is one of several that she has keep.
I do not want to give any more of the plot away but the storytelling is very good keeping you gripped till the very last paragraph.
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback|Amazon Vine™ Review
(What's this?)
Set in Guernsey before and during the occupation, the story has atmosphere from start to finish. Tensions abound; the arrival of the soldiers brings fear and apprehension, but it also brings resiliance as the population has to cope with restrictions and shortages, and the daily war of nerves living with the enemy. It challenges one's views of right and wrong, making you see there are shades of grey.
The story is essentially a love story at its core. A local girl, Vivienne, falls in love with a German, Gunther, despite her efforts to remain distant and keep faith with her husband who is fighting on the frontline. Her battles are both mental and physical - how to keep her family safe, fed and warm, coping with an elderly mother-in-law who suffers from dementia and remaining true to her own values of compassion and patriotism.
Chapters are short and the story is beautifully crafted. A joy to read, one of those books you find hard to put down, keeping you intrigued right to the end.
The story is essentially a love story at its core. A local girl, Vivienne, falls in love with a German, Gunther, despite her efforts to remain distant and keep faith with her husband who is fighting on the frontline. Her battles are both mental and physical - how to keep her family safe, fed and warm, coping with an elderly mother-in-law who suffers from dementia and remaining true to her own values of compassion and patriotism.
Chapters are short and the story is beautifully crafted. A joy to read, one of those books you find hard to put down, keeping you intrigued right to the end.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
a book like this
I read a book like this and I wonder why such obvious and beautiful talent is so underrated. I will write more here when I have finished the book
Published 24 days ago by Helen B
Was okay, too depressing and slow for me
It was a good (extremely brief) show of the war and the characters did develop a bit but the book is really slow its like reading a series of event not a story. Read more
Published 24 days ago by Ms. K. D. Chadha
Memorable and Captiviating
I thoroughlly enjoyed the scope and beauty of Margaret Leroy's writing in this book. Chosen for the subject matter and the historical time period, I definately wasn't disappointed... Read more
Published 2 months ago by J. Mccready
Fantastic!
In all honesty, this has to be one of the best books I have ever read, it is actually incredibly moving. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Anna
A real page turner
Firstly I must say that I normally don't read any historical fiction to do with WW2, but for some reason I was drawn to this book. Read more
Published 3 months ago by Celticfaery
Well researched & beautifully written
'The Collaborator' is a well researched and beautifully written novel which treats its subject matter with sensitivity and respect. Read more
Published 3 months ago by I Readalot
Engrossing
Well written and engrossing. Don't be put off by the cover. Tells the story of Vivienne who lives in Guernsey with her two daughters in 1940 when the island suffers German... Read more
Published 4 months ago by Alexander P. Waugh
loved it but...
I loved this. The story was both engaging and moving and as already mentioned by other reviewers tackled one of the more serious aspects of the occupation quite well. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Lady K
A GOOD STORY
I enjoyed this novel a great deal.It tells the story of a woman-Vivienne- who falls in love with a German soldier on the occupied island on Guernsey,and all the implications that... Read more
Published 6 months ago by bibliophile
Beautiful and stunning novel
Vivienne de la Mare is from London, but now lives on Guernsey, after marrying an islander. Eugene is away fighting in the war and so Vivienne is alone with her two daughters, and... Read more
Published 6 months ago by Nicola
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