Questions About The Baker's Secret

by Stephen P. Kiernan (Goodreads Author)

Reader Q&A

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Answered Questions (5)

Has the author actually been in a French bakery? The items that the French do NOT bake (popovers, muffins, cinnamon rolls, cheesecake) outnumber the items that they do (baguettes, napoleons). Where are the croissants, the pains au chocolats, les pets de nonnes, les tartes aux fruits? Or are we supposed to believe that a Jewish baker is selling German pastries successfully in a small French village during the war?

Kathy I'm afraid that understanding conditions in occupied France - as well as many other countries - during World War II is the problem behind your questio…moreI'm afraid that understanding conditions in occupied France - as well as many other countries - during World War II is the problem behind your question. I'll leave you to decide whether you want to learn about that or not, but she wasn't selling anything during the majority of the book. She was given the ingredients by the German officers to bake for the Germans. She also wasn't Jewish - all the Jews had been killed or sent to camps. She was Catholic, which is mentioned many times.(less)

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Can anyone please recommend a book that is similar to this one? I finished reading The Baker's Secret a few weeks ago, but I am still haunted by its beauty, and would love any recommendations! Thanks, Shelly

Kelly Whitaker I second "The Nightingale" and "Lilac Girls." Both were excellent. I love this genre and those books PLUS "SARAHS KEY" is fantastic. EDIT: I'm adding …moreI second "The Nightingale" and "Lilac Girls." Both were excellent. I love this genre and those books PLUS "SARAHS KEY" is fantastic. EDIT: I'm adding Ronald Balson's "Once we were Brothers and "Karolina's Twins" to this list. And - Salt to the Sea!(less)

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Did Michelle run away with the soldier, or did Odette get to her and kill her?

Jerry Mollenhauer Odette appears to have cut off Michelle's hair, that is all. That was a common practice used against French women who took German lovers and became co…moreOdette appears to have cut off Michelle's hair, that is all. That was a common practice used against French women who took German lovers and became collaborators. Some were tarred and feathered. I have not heard of any killing of these women.(less)

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Maybe I missed something. Even though I loved the book, I've been wondering about some characters. Did he reveal what happened with Michelle? With Apollo the horse?

Leanne The author explains in the discussion at the end of the book what happened or why he didn't explain what happened to many characters.

It's always usef…moreThe author explains in the discussion at the end of the book what happened or why he didn't explain what happened to many characters.

It's always useful to read prologues, discussions, etc. - there is so much information for the reader who takes the time. :)

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Q&A at end of book with author Stephen P Kiernan and Emma? Isn't Emma a fictional character?

Barb Olt I thought that was rather strange too since it made her sound like a real person, even telling about her children. It makes me wonder why the author d…moreI thought that was rather strange too since it made her sound like a real person, even telling about her children. It makes me wonder why the author did it as I don’t think I’ve ever read another book that did.(less)

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