Light of the Moon

by Elizabeth Buchan

Set in resistance France, this is a grand and passionate story of forbidden love between an English Special Operations Executive and a German Abwehr officer.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, France, War, Audiobook, World War II, Romance

512 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1992

About the author

Elizabeth Buchan began her career as a blurb writer at Penguin Books after graduating from the University of Kent with a double degree in English and History. She moved on to become a fiction editor at Random House before leaving to write full time. Her novels include the prizewinning Consider the Lily – reviewed in the Independent as ‘a gorgeously well written tale: funny, sad and sophisticated’. A subsequent novel, Revenge of the Middle-Aged Woman became an international bestseller and was made into a CBS Primetime Drama. Later novels included The Second Wife, Separate Beds and Daughters. Her latest, I Can’t Begin to Tell You, a story of resistance in wartime Denmark, was published by Penguin in August 2014.

Elizabeth Buchan’s short stories are broadcast on BBC Radio 4 and published in magazines. She reviews for the Sunday Times and the Daily Mail, and has chaired the Betty Trask and Desmond Elliot literary prizes, and also been a judge for the Whitbread First Novel Award and for 2014 Costa Novel Award. She is a patron of the Guildford Book Festival and of The National Academy of Writing, and sits on the author committee for The Reading Agency.

Reviews

[Eileen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This very readable story was based on actual happenings during WWII in occupied France. Despite the fact that the characters were somewhat two dimensional, I was quite caught up in the unfolding tale. This is one of the author’s earlier works, and clearly her later writing has progressed. There was a bit of a scramble at the conclusion to tie up the various strands. Overall, though, I did enjoy it, and was very moved to find credits at the end, linking some of the characters to the incredibly brave men and women who lived and died during those difficult times.

[Nicki · Rating 2 out of 5]

I feel like there was a better story in this than the one I actually read. The idea is good - a young SOE agent meets and falls in love with a German officer while she is on active duty in Occupied France - but the execution left something to be desired.

The characters are somewhat flat and the love story has no build-up to it. They meet and each instantly knows they are in love with the other. It's all a bit nonsensical.

The setting is good and the story kept me reading, although it all seemed a bit rushed in the end, but I wanted it to be better, to have deeper connections between the characters.

[Harriet Steel · Rating 3 out of 5]

An elegantly written historical novel dealing with the experiences of a young Englishwoman who becomes an SOE agent in wartime France. The theme of falling in love with a man on the opposing side, the Romeo and Juliet story, has, of course, been explored many times, but here it was still moving. The darkness of the times was evoked very well. I recommend this if you want a fairly traditional style of historical read.

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book, finding it compelling. (Unfortunately, because it was a library book, I could not take it away on holiday with me and so had to finish it when I got home.)
An unusual story set in the Second World War with the SOE operatives being the main characters. Interesting. It leaves me feeling perhaps I should learn more.

[Rosie Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light Of The Moon is a Second World War story set in France that tells the story of secret agent Evelyn. One of the first spies and female agents dropped into France, Evelyn’s role is to find and work with resistance members to disrupt various German industrial or communication plants.

The story is narrated mainly through the eyes of Evelyn; however, there are a few chapters from other key characters such as a German officer as well as a nun, which help move the story along at a good pace.

The setting, era and subject matter are popular in this genre, and while I have read many similar books, I still enjoyed this one as there was just enough tension and gritty atmosphere to make the tale believable. Happy to recommend this to those who enjoy a good war story.

[Bronwyn Rykiert]

I enjoyed this book which is a story about Evelyn St John a young English member of the French resistance. Along the way Evelyn fell in love with a German Major, Paul Von Hock. I have never read anything about the resistance before and I found this was interesting. A good read.

[Laurena Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is set against the background of WW2, mainly in occupied France, and a woman who is parachuted into France to serve with SOE and the resistance. Although Elizabeth Buchan states at the end that it is a novel and should be read as such, she has obviously researched the period meticulously (and is able to provide an extensive bibliography at the end), and there is not one jarring note in the book.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well researched and well-written, and I enjoyed it, partly because I've heard firsthand accounts of SOE work, and it was interesting to read this fictionalized account. The ending was a little too unresolved for my taste!

[Keyli Irving · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've purchased an omnibus book (2 in 1) published by Pan Books. It has Light of the Moon and Consider the Lily.

When reading this book, I was moved by the efforts of the heroine. It was set on France during the WWII.
Great book.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This audio book just got better and better, I’ve just finished it and it’s 2.30am. The last few hours of listening was riveting and I knew I had to see it through before sleep. Brave is an understatement for those in the French resistance. The story will stay with me

[Fi · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb book; really makes you think about the bravery of those involved in the resistance during WWII

[Ngarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detailed
Slow and suspenseful
Yearning

[Emily Edwards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed

[Mindy Gough · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story of the resistance in France during WWII. This book occupied my mind during the read, and while I liked it I did not love it or find it memorable.

[A.J. Griffiths-Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’m generally a big fan of this author’s work, but didn’t enjoy this one as much as expected. I felt that the chapters were padded out with unnecessary detail & there were far too many coincidences.

[Asb · Rating 4 out of 5]

My author beginning with B and a good story of a woman sent to occupied France as an undercover resistance fighter. Love and war come together.

[Eva GC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Usually love this type of book but couldn’t get into this one.

[Margaret Rogers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book, wanted to keep reading it, but the ending was so abrupt and disappointing. It’s almost unfinished.

[Harrison Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. The central love story (which wasn’t actually that central and felt like it was rushed in towards the end of the story) was actually the least compelling part of the book. I was much more invested in Bessy and Evelyn’s relationship than I was in her relationship with Paul.

[Gary Bonn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent.
Action packed and immersive, this is a very strong and cleverly constructed tale. I'm not very fond of spy stories but this one stands above and beyond any I've come across.
The setting benefits from excellent research. The characters are believable - but this is not a character driven story.
Some elements seem unlikely at first but minimal research reveals them to be more realistic than I first supposed (such as the degree of responsibility Evelyn has to shoulder at so young and age - and the casual acceptance of this by older and more experienced men). These elements are satisfactorily explained.

Thoroughly enjoyable.

Why has this so few reviews on Goodreads? Maybe it's the lamentable marketing. For goodness sake, why put Phillipa Gregory's (Sunday Times) quote 'Even a man could risk reading it' on the front cover? I haven't read her whole review and suppose this is out of context as it could easily be seen as sexist and suggest this is not for men. Don't be put off!

Rant over... I really liked this book. I'm confident you will too - whether you are male or female.

[Rod Zemke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A different kind of story than I expected, but well-written.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reaaly enlightening stor of a woman's life in occupied France during ww2. Lovely writing and gripping story. Well worth a read

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid.

[Sandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great novel by Elizabeth Buchan.

[Ryichha C · Rating 4 out of 5]

The way Elizabeth buchan has completely describe the war situation leading with Nazi govt, the streets of london and America during that period and the story itself is just acknowledging.