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Books > Fiction > Genre fiction > War fiction > Second World War fiction
WINNER OF THE NATIONAL JEWISH BOOK AWARD AND THE JEWISH FICTION
AWARD FROM THE ASSOCIATION OF JEWISH LIBRARIES GOOD MORNING AMERICA
MUST READ NEW BOOKS * NEW YORK POST BUZZ BOOKS * THE MILLIONS MOST
ANTICIPATED A remarkable debut novel-written with the fearless
imagination of Michael Chabon and the piercing humor of Gary
Shteyngart-about a small Jewish village in the Polish forest that
is so secluded no one knows it exists . . . until now. What if
there was a town that history missed? For decades, the tiny Jewish
shtetl of Kreskol existed in happy isolation, virtually untouched
and unchanged. Spared by the Holocaust and the Cold War, its
residents enjoyed remarkable peace. It missed out on cars, and
electricity, and the internet, and indoor plumbing. But when a
marriage dispute spins out of control, the whole town comes
crashing into the twenty-first century. Pesha Lindauer, who has
just suffered an ugly, acrimonious divorce, suddenly disappears. A
day later, her husband goes after her, setting off a panic among
the town elders. They send a woefully unprepared outcast named
Yankel Lewinkopf out into the wider world to alert the Polish
authorities. Venturing beyond the remote safety of Kreskol, Yankel
is confronted by the beauty and the ravages of the modern-day
outside world - and his reception is met with a confusing mix of
disbelief, condescension, and unexpected kindness. When the truth
eventually surfaces, his story and the existence of Kreskol make
headlines nationwide. Returning Yankel to Kreskol, the Polish
government plans to reintegrate the town that time forgot. Yet in
doing so, the devious origins of its disappearance come to the
light. And what has become of the mystery of Pesha and her former
husband? Divided between those embracing change and those clinging
to its old world ways, the people of Kreskol will have to find a
way to come together . . . or risk their village disappearing for
good.
'One of the most reliable thriller writers in the world' Daily Mail
To do what is right, she risks losing everything... 1937 Sibil
Hellinger is enjoying market day in the small Spanish town of
Guernica when clouds of German planes suddenly fill the sky. As the
bombs rain down, Sibil escapes with her sister but her mother is
tragically killed. 1944 The world is at war and Sibil has grown
into a beautiful young woman fuelled by a dark rage. Working with
her father, a scientist and member of the undercover German
resistance, she is the perfect spy to fight back against those
responsible for her mother's death - the Nazis. To avenge the
family she lost and protect those she loves, she must risk
everything. From the bestselling author of The Black Swan of Paris,
Fire in the Sky comes an absorbing novel of bravery, danger, love
and women's unbelievable reserves of strength. PRAISE FOR THE BLACK
SWAN OF PARIS 'A truly outstanding novel, brilliantly written, that
captured me and held me in its grip from page one. The Black Swan
of Paris reminds us of the power of love, hope and courage' Heather
Morris, #1 bestselling author of The Tattooist of Auschwitz
'Emotional and powerful' Pam Jenoff, bestselling author of The Lost
Girls of Paris 'Beautifully written and completely absorbing. '
Noelle Salazar, bestselling author of The Flight Girls 'An
extraordinarily suspenseful, emotional read' Kelly Rimmer,
bestselling author of The Things We Cannot Say
THE INSPIRATION FOR THE OSCAR-NOMINATED MOTION PICTURE 'JOJO
RABBIT' NOMINATED FOR 6 ACADEMY AWARDS INCLUDING BEST PICTURE AND
BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY This extraordinary novel is seen through
the eyes of Johannes, an avid member of the Hitler Youth in the
1940s. After he is severely injured in a raid, he discovers his
parents are hiding a Jewish girl called Elsa behind a false wall in
their large house in Vienna. His initial horror turns to interest,
then love and obsession. After the disappearance of his parents,
Johannes finds he is the only one aware of Elsa's existence in the
house, the only one responsible for her survival. Both manipulating
and manipulated, Johannes dreads the end of the war: with it will
come the prospect of losing Elsa and their relationship, which
ranges through passion and obsession, dependence and indifference,
love and hate. This gripping, masterful work examines truth and
lies at both political and personal levels, laying bare the darkest
corners of the human soul.
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German Fantasia
(Paperback)
Philippe Claudel; Translated by Julian Evans
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R339
R307
Discovery Miles 3 070
Save R32 (9%)
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Ships in 9 - 17 working days
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A deserting soldier treks through the torn-up countryside and
abandoned villages, trying to distance himself from the atrocities
of war. An elderly man sits beneath lime trees, remembering his
first sexual encounter one summer night with a female stranger who
whispered another man's name. A young woman takes up a job in a
care home, spending monotonous days scrubbing floors and yearning
to dance at the local nightclub. The artist Franz Marc lives on in
an imagined life as a patient at an asylum, before falling victim
to Hitler's policy of Gnadentod. Finally, a young Jewish girl, the
life she once knew destroyed, holds her memories close as she finds
refuge in wreckage of her homeland. And throughout there is the
shadowy presence of Viktor - one man or many? A looming figure in
Germany's own reckoning with its past. Through these five
interconnected stories, Philippe Claudel reflects on Germany's
complex history and the experiences of its people, dismantling the
idea of "a nation" or "a people" and exploring the malleability of
memory.
A BBC2 BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOK CLUB PICK 'A fascinating, beautiful,
heartwarming novel. It kept me gripped from the very first chapter'
-- BETH O'LEARY In Second World War Bath, young, naive wireless
engineer Will meets Austrian refugee Elsa Klein: she is
sophisticated, witty and worldly, and at last his life seems to
make sense . . . until, soon after, the newly married couple's home
is bombed, and Will awakes from the wreckage to find himself alone.
No one has heard of Elsa Klein. They say he was never married.
Seventy years later, social worker Laura is battling her way out of
depression and off medication. Her new case is a strange, isolated
old man whose house hasn't changed since the war. A man who insists
his wife vanished many, many years before. Everyone thinks he's
suffering dementia. But Laura begins to suspect otherwise . . .
From Keith Stuart, author of the much-loved Richard & Judy
bestseller A Boy Made of Blocks, comes a stunning, emotional novel
about an impossible mystery and a true love that refuses to die.
'Enthralling, a real thing of beauty. Dazzling' -- JOSIE SILVER
'The Frequency of Us is a novel with a bit of everything: a
sweeping love story, wonderfully complex characters, and a
sprinkling of the supernatural. I loved it, and know it'll stay
with me for some time' -- CLARE POOLEY 'A complete joy! An
intelligent, intricate and emotive mystery' -- LOUISE JENSON
A world at war. A beautiful young star. A mission no one expected.
Paris, 1944
Celebrated singer Genevieve Dumont is both a star and a smokescreen. An unwilling darling of the Nazis, her position of privilege allows her to go undetected as an ally to the resistance.
When her estranged mother, Lillian de Rocheford, is captured by Nazis, Genevieve is shaken. She knows it won't be long before the Gestapo succeeds in torturing information out of Lillian that will derail the upcoming allied invasion. The resistance movement is tasked with silencing her by any means necessary - including assassination.
But Genevieve refuses to let her mother become yet one more victim of the war. Reuniting with her long-lost sister, she must find a way to navigate the perilous cross-currents of Occupied France undetected - and in time to save Lillian's life.
For fans of Danielle Steele's The Spy, Jane Thynne's Black Roses and Heather Morris' The Tattooist of Auschwitz, this exquisite novel illuminates three women's strength, courage and capacity for unconditional love.
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Magnus
(Paperback)
Sylvie Germain; Translated by Christine Donougher
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R285
Discovery Miles 2 850
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Ships in 10 - 15 working days
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Magnus is a deeply moving and enigmatic novel about the Holocaust.
Magnus is a man searching for his own identity, attempting to piece
together the complex puzzle of his life. But his true story turns
out to be closer to a painting by Edward Munch than the romantic
tale of family heroism and self-sacrifice on which he was nurtured
by the woman he believed was his mother. In Magnus, Sylvie Germain
uses imagination and intuition to unlock the enigma of human life
and confer on history the power of myth and fable.
War is declared, and Biggles is ready for action!September 1939.
Britain has declared war on Germany. Major James Bigglesworth,
known to his friends as 'Biggles', is eager to get straight into
the action alongside old friends Algernon 'Algy' Lacey and 'Ginger'
Hebblethwaite. They don't have to wait long. The British government
has covertly acquired a small island in the Baltic, off the north
coast of Germany. The island is unremarkable save for one feature:
a natural sea cave, unknown to the Germans, large enough to house
several aircraft. Biggles' orders: wreak havoc on German forces for
as long as possible without compromising the location of the secret
base. It's a dangerous mission, for the might of the enemy military
machine will be bent on finding them, led by Biggles' old nemesis,
Erich von Stalhein. Take to the skies in a classic Biggles
adventure packed with heroism and feats of derring-do. Perfect for
fans of Derek Robinson and Max Hennessy.
BY THE AUTHOR OF THE 2021 BOOKER PRIZE-SHORTLISTED AND 2022 WOMEN'S
FICTION PRIZE-SHORTLISTED GREAT CIRCLE 'The same chilling
brilliance of Daphne du Maurier's most unsettling short fiction'
FINANCIAL TIMES 'Has an innate charm of its own. Beautifully
realised' DAILY MAIL 'It's a rare writer who can create a world as
convincingly over a few pages as in a 600-page novel; Shipstead's
fluency in both forms is testament to the skill she modestly casts
as a work in progress' Stephanie Merritt, GUARDIAN 'Maggie
Shipstead combines cinematic scope with a poet's attention to
detail' THE TIMES A collection of sparkling award-winning stories
from Maggie Shipstead, epic storyteller and astonishing chronicler
of the daring and the damaged. Diving into eclectic and vivid
settings, from an Olympic village to a deathbed in Paris to a
Pacific atoll, and illuminating a cast of unforgettable characters,
Shipstead traverses the ordinary and extraordinary with cunning,
compassion, and wit. Meet the silent cowgirl and horse wrangler
escaping an ugly home life, only to fall into a decade-long
triangle of unrequited love; a male novelist who is just reckoning
with his own pretentiousness as his debut novel goes to print; a
honeymoon couple's time in the hills of Romania builds into a
moment of shattering tragedy. In the title story, a famous child
actress breaks away from a religious cult, as she tells - with
brittle candour - her tale of childhood damage and the dark side of
fame. Exuding both tenderness and bite, Shipstead exposes
complicated truths in this dazzling collection sealing her
reputation as an astonishingly versatile master of fiction.
--------------------- 'Shipstead is a writer who can vividly summon
whatever she chooses, taking the reader deep inside the world she
creates' FINANCIAL TIMES 'Shipstead observes people beautifully'
THE TIMES
PRAISE FOR NATASHA LESTER... 'A fantastically engrossing story. I
love it' KELLY RIMMER 'Intrigue, heartbreak... I cannot tell you
how much I loved this book' RACHEL BURTON 'A gorgeously rich and
romantic novel' KATE FORSYTH Her Mother's Secret is the story of a
brave young woman chasing her dream against society's disapproval,
perfect for fans of Gill Paul, Kate Furnivall and Penny Vincenzi.
********* 1918, England. Armistice Day should bring peace into
Leonora East's life. Rather than making cosmetics secretly in her
father's chemist shop, Leo hopes to now display her wares openly.
Instead, Spanish flu arrives in the village, claiming her father's
life. Determined to start over she boards a ship to New York City,
where she meets debonair department store heir Everett Forsyth . .
. 1939, New York City. Everett's daughter, Alice, a promising
ballerina, receives a mysterious letter inviting her to star in a
series of advertisements for a cosmetics line. If she accepts she
will be immortalized like dancers such as Zelda Fitzgerald,
Josephine Baker and Ginger Rogers. Why, then, are her parents so
quick to forbid it? MORE PRAISE FOR NATASHA LESTER... 'If you enjoy
historical fiction (and even if you don't) you will love this book'
Sally Hepworth 'Stunning . . . Will have you captivated' Liz Byrski
'This romance will have you enchanted' Woman's Day 'Natasha Lester
is our generation's Louisa May Alcott' Tess Woods 'What a GEM!'
Sara Foster 'Natasha Lester brings bold, brave women to life'
Courier Mail 'I love this book' Rachael Johns 'Exquisite!' Vanessa
Carnevale 'Engaging' Herald Sun 'An essential addition to
Australian fiction' AusRomToday 'Utterly compelling' Good Reading
'Emotion that will touch your heart and soul deeply' Jodi Gibson
'Fascinating, evocative and meticulously researched' Annabel Abbs
'Entertaining and provocative' Perth Festival 'Lester has woven a
fine, original story of everlasting quality.' BetterReading 'A
captivating tale' Daily Examiner 'A delightful and multi-faceted
romp through the jazz era' Natalie Salvo 'Excellent historical
fiction' The Book Muse 'You will love this even if you're not a
regular reader of historical fiction' Jess Just Reads 'Storytelling
at its finest' Great Reads & Tea Leaves
General Dwight Eisenhower commands a diverse army that must destroy
Hitler's European fortress. On the coast of France, German
commander Erwin Rommel prepares for the coming invasion, as the
Fuhrer thwarts the strategies Rommel knows will succeed. Meanwhile,
Sergeant Jesse Adams, a veteran of the 82nd Airborne, parachutes
with his men behind German lines. And as the invasion force surges
toward the beaches of Normandy, Private Tom Thorne of the 29th
Infantry Division faces the horrifying prospect of fighting his way
ashore on Omaha Beach, a stretch of coast more heavily defended
than the Allied commanders anticipate. From G.I. to general, The
Steel Wave carries us through the war's most crucial juncture, the
invasion that altered the flow of the war and, ultimately, changed
history.
From the INTERNATIONALLY BESTSELLING author of The Paris Seamstress
comes a story of courage, family and forgiveness from New York to
war-torn Europe. Perfect for fans of Kate Furnivall, Lucinda Riley,
Kate Morton and Gill Paul 'Divine' GILL PAUL, bestselling author of
The Secret Wife 'An emotional and sweeping tale' CHANEL CLEETON,
bestselling author of Next Year in Havana 'A splendid, breathtaking
novel, full of mystery and passion...a must read!' JEANNE MACKIN,
author of The Last Collection ******** 1942 When Jessica May's
successful modelling career is abruptly cut short, Vogue send her
to war-torn Paris to cover the conflict as a correspondent. She's
courageous and a fast-learner, but of course the military men make
her life as difficult as possible. Three friendships change that:
journalist Martha Gellhorn encourages Jess to bend the rules;
paratrooper Dan Hallworth shows her how to take pictures and write
stories that matter; and a little girl, Victorine, who shows Jess
how to open hear heart. 2005 Australian curator D'Arcy Hallworth
arrives at a beautiful French chateau to manage a famous collection
of photographs. What begins as just another job becomes far more
disquieting as D'Arcy uncovers the true identity of the mysterious
French photographer...
The war taught her to fight. The children taught her to hope...
*The Lost Song of Paris, the new novel from Sarah Steele, is
available to pre-order now!* Inspired by real acts of bravery and
resistance, The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and
deeply moving story of one woman's courage and sacrifice during
World War II, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Missing
Piece of Nancy Moon. This exquisitely beautiful novel is perfect
for readers of The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, The Postmistress, Lilac
Girls and The Girl from Vichy. 'A beautifully worked tale of
bravery, woven into the reality of a time we can't forget' Mandy
Robotham, author of The Berlin Girl 'An emotional, beautifully
constructed read. I loved the way the clues from the past and
present slowly knitted together, answering the questions that had
been missing their answers for so long' Sunday Times bestselling
author Jill Mansell 'Gripping, at times heartbreaking, but
ultimately uplifting, I found this beautifully written novel
impossible to put down' Sunday Times bestselling author Katie
Fforde ______ 'My darling girl, I need you to find someone for me .
. .' France, 1942. At the end of the day, the schoolteacher
releases her pupils. She checks they have their identity passes,
and warns them not to stop until the German guards have let them
through the barrier that separates occupied France from Free
France. As the little ones fly across the border and into their
mothers' arms, she breathes a sigh of relief. No one is safe now.
Not even the children. Berkshire, present day. A letter left to her
by her beloved late grandmother Gigi takes Hannah Stone on a
journey deep into the heart of the Dordogne landscape. As she
begins to unravel a forgotten history of wartime bravery and
sacrifice, she discovers the heartrending secret that binds her
grandmother to a village schoolteacher, the remarkable Lucie Laval
. . . ______ 'An engaging tale of courage and friendship. A
triumph!' Gill Paul 'Evocative writing and the storytelling is
masterful. It really draws the reader in' Felicity Hayes-McCoy 'A
gripping journey about the quiet triumphs and breathtaking courage
of so many women in wartime' Jane Bailey Readers ADORE The
Schoolteacher of Saint Michel: 'I loved this book, I finished
reading it on VE Day. It is certainly a fitting tribute to the
everyday people in France who resisted the German occupation in
WW2. 5 stars' 'Absolutely fabulous. Highly recommend this. I've
read The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon - this is even better' 'Such
a poignant story and beautiful characters. I can highly recommend
this book' 'A lovely book, by turns emotional, exciting and
heart-rending. The story is beautifully told. A book that will stay
with me. Definitely recommended, particularly to anyone with an
interest in World War II historical novels' 'A lovely story of
courage and hope at a time of extreme adversity. Wonderfully
written, descriptive and poignant. This one is special' 'Sheer
escapism, beautifully written. I highly recommend it'
'Fascinating ... a poignant book ... an unusual and absolutely
authentic view of those convulsive years' OBSERVER 'Each story in
Wave Me Goodbye is a relic of the Second World War' SUNDAY TIMES
'This is as stark and acidic a collection of war stories as you
will read ... Stripped bare of the sentimentalism attached to love
in wartime' SCOTSMAN This collection of wartime stories includes
some of the finest writers of a generation. War had traditionally
been seen as a masculine occupation, but these stories show how
women were equal if different participants. Here, war is less about
progress on the frontline of battle than about the daily struggle
to keep homes, families and relationships alive; to snatch pleasure
from danger, and strength from shared experience. The stories are
about saying goodbye to husbands, lovers, brothers and sons - and
sometimes years later trying to remake their lives anew. By turn
comical, stoical, compassionate, angry and subversive, these
intensely individual voices bring a human dimension to the
momentous events that reverberated around them and each opens a
window on to a hidden landscape of war. Writers include: Jean Rhys,
Beryl Bainbridge, Elizabeth Bowen, Elizabeth Taylor, Stevie Smith,
Rosamond Lehmann, Barbara Pym, Angela Thirkell, Sylvia Townsend
Warner, Dorothy Parker, Doris Lessing, Olivia Manning, Rose
Macaulay and Stevie Smith
In occupied France, two people sacrificed everything. Now their
granddaughter has come looking for the truth... Ruth's childhood
was a happy one, and her family-on her mother's side-large and
loving. But her father's French origins have always remained a
mystery. Now, with aged relatives beginning to die, Ruth decides to
research her father's family before it's too late. When she
discovers a series of long-lost cassettes, everything she thought
she knew about them shatters. The tapes expose an unimaginable
truth - an epic wartime story of hidden love and sacrifice,
stretching back to occupied France. These long-buried confessions
will rock Ruth's family-and finally piece together the puzzle of
her father's heritage. But are any of them ready for the truth?
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