After Paris

by Renny deGroot

From Shortlisted Author of the 2015 Kobo Emerging Writer Prize, Renny deGroot comes a new Historical Fiction.


Liesbeth Zwart forges her identity with courage and aptitude while nursing in France during WW1. As Liesbeth Bos, she feels that identity melting away; the skills she needed as a nurse in Paris are of little use to her as a wife and mother in post-war Netherlands.


As she grapples to adjust to her new reality, she is confronted with a shocking discovery that sends her fleeing with her young daughter to start a new life in Canada. The New World forces Liesbeth to reassess her own life and beliefs, but will it be enough to save her fractured family?

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War I

ebook

Published July 8, 2016

About the author

Renny deGroot was born in Nova Scotia, Canada, a first-generation Canadian of Dutch parents.

Her novels have been shortlisted for the Kobo Emerging Writer Prize and a Whistler Independent Book Award. They have been awarded several readers’ awards from the U.K., Canada, and the U.S. She has published mystery, historical fiction, short stories and non-fiction

Renny has a BA in English Literature from Trent University and studied creative writing at Ryerson University.

She lives in rural Ontario with her Great Pyrenees and Golden Retriever, and vacations at her cottage in Nova Scotia.

Reviews

[Marian · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a historical fiction novel about a nurse in France during WW1 who must return to her role as a wife and mother in post-war Netherlands. The plot takes various twists with the main character later moving to Canada and there's a romance angle that I found personally frustrating as a reader. The author is well-versed in understanding Dutch characters but I found the story itself a bit far-fetched; particularly the side drama in the main character's marriage.

[Marie-France Leclerc · Rating 4 out of 5]

This the second novel I’ve read by Renny deGroot and it is a good one.
While writing about another era the conflicts in the book are still struggles people go through in our times.
Can’t wait to read the third historical novel she’s written.

[Sharron Elkouby · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set against the backdrop of World War I and the immediate post-war period, Renny de Groot’s second novel, “After Paris” traces the physical and psychological journey of Liesbeth Zwart-Bos, a young Dutch nurse. This fascinating page-turner explores the themes of the horrors of war, the role of women in society and the hardships of immigration. As we follow Liesbeth through her travels to France, back home to the Netherlands and ultimately to Canada, we simultaneously witness her voyage through her identity crisis, with her emotional maturity as the final destination. Once again Renny deGroot has proven herself to be a skilled storyteller, as we become emotionally invested in her characters and their struggles.

[Iain J McGilveray · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dutch nurse courage

This was a splendid, interesting book with an unusual woman struggling with changes in women’s’ lives and careers precipitated by the 1st world war and its aftermath leading to the Great Depression. The change for women with the horrors of nursing the devastated men returning from the front is excellently conveyed. The key character is a rather tortured soul who is rather selfish in causing havoc in her marriage. Her husband is rather saintly and she is blest with a gem of a daughter. Unusual geographic locations certainly add to the tensions experienced. There is need for a sequel as one can imagine the impact of ww2 on the characters and the bright daughter has far to go.

[Anja Hertle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In After Paris, the reader is really drawn into the story of Liesbeth and her experiences as a nurse in World War I and subsequently her difficulty leading a "normal" life after the war. As an immigrant to Canada ( albite not in the early 1900's) I enjoyed reading her descriptions of life in Canada during the early 1900. The story carries you along and makes the book hard to put down.

[Susan Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved how Liesbeth, the nurse, brought to life the realities of being a woman during World War I. Living a life of trauma following the experience of war is not only the unfortunate fate of soldiers. A very interesting read! A good choice for readers who like understanding the social evolution of woman, as well as WWI enthusiasts.

[Nada Loughead · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book while vacationing in France so an apt read...the protoganist is a strong woman who hones her skills during the war and has a hard time adjusting to life as stay-at-home wife/mother prompting life changing decisions. Loved the strong character especially her personal insights into what makes her so stoic and determined.