Suite Française in UMF Mantor Library

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May 18, 2008 Barb Radmore rated it really liked it

Suite Francaise is, on the surface, the story of individuals fleeing from Paris in 1940 as the Nazis approach. It follows four specific tales from the rich family leaving their fancy home to stay safe and their priest son trying to escort a boy’s orphanage, to a vain writer and his girlfriend, a self absorbed hedonist and a working couple.But it is the story within and behind the story that is noteworthy.

While it would be expected that it is a tale of bravery, courage and caring, it is far from Suite Francaise is, on the surface, the story of individuals fleeing from Paris in 1940 as the Nazis approach. It follows four specific tales from the rich family leaving their fancy home to stay safe and their priest son trying to escort a boy’s orphanage, to a vain writer and his girlfriend, a self absorbed hedonist and a working couple.But it is the story within and behind the story that is noteworthy.

While it would be expected that it is a tale of bravery, courage and caring, it is far from it. Nemirovsky has done a masterful job of portraying the fear and the disorder of the crowds as they leave Paris with their belongings, mattresses tied to the top of cars, bird cages on their laps. As they progress along congested roads with bombs falling, bodies exploding and death all around, it becomes a matter of personal survival. The villages along the way are over run with refugees seeking shelter and food. This novel vividly exposes the bedlam and madness that affected the people evacuating as the enemy progressed. It is not a celebration of human spirit but a portrayal of the madness of war, the pain and suffering involved. It is one of the most damning condemnations of war possible- the truth.

What makes this novel the definitive authority on the evacuation is that it was written by Nemirovsky in 1940 as the events were occurring around her. She was a well known author in France at the time that was broke out. She had planned a five part work, a “suite” but was only able to complete the first two parts. It was written in tiny handwriting on scraps of paper. She was arrested by the Nazis and died in Auschwitz in 1943. The manuscript was owned by her daughters but they did not read it as they were afraid it would cause them too much heartache. When the papers were rediscovered by her daughters in a suitcase in 1992 they transcribed them and agreed to have them published. The only two pieces of the suite written were Storm in June and Dolce, both included in the translation published by Alfred A. Kopf.
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Jun 02, 2011 Malarie rated it did not like it

I really gave this book my all. Normally, I can read a book in 2-3 days. However after giving this book 3 full days I was only on page 45. The first several chapters jump around between different families and it was difficult to keep so many story lines straight. I also found the dialogue to be forced and unbelievable. I might try to read this book again after my summer class is over.

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Jun 18, 2013 Aladdin Elaasar rated it it was amazing

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