A Train in Winter by Caroline Moorehead - 4 stars (Subdue)

[Joy D]

A Train in Winter: An Extraordinary Story of Women, Friendship, and Resistance in Occupied France by Caroline Moorehead - 4* - My Review

“A sense of real solidarity took shape among them. It was forged at least in part by the fact that most of the women had known and recognized the risks they had been running in the resistance, and that shared knowledge, with all its attendant misfortunes, provided a bond that proved far stronger than political allegiances.”

This book is focused on the women of the French Resistance during World War II. It provides a vivid depiction of what life was like in France during the German occupation and under the Vichy government. It covers the lives of both the women who survived and those who did not. Moorehead obtained a great deal of this information through interviews with the few remaining survivors as well as family members. She also used documentation from French, German, and Polish archives.

It takes a while to get going. The early chapters feature a stream of people, places, dates, and events, and it can feel a bit overwhelming. However, after deciding to stick with it, I found a wealth of information contained within these pages. It emphasizes the value of the bonds of friendship in providing a reason to resist and to survive once imprisoned. Parts of it are gut-wrenching, as the author does not spare the tortures and abhorrent conditions. Many were executed or sent to die in the camps. It documents the heroism found in the hearts of ordinary people. I found it both inspiring and heartbreaking.

[Booknblues]

I read this for the Subdue. There was so much information, it was a bit mind boggling.

Moorehead has written a quartet of books about the resistance, the next Village of Secrets: Defying the Nazis in Vichy France. Let me know if you want to do a buddy read of that sometime.

[Joy D]

Absolutely! I was amazed at the amount of information. She must have dug through many archives. I could do a buddy read at some point for the 2nd book, but I think I need a bit of time, since this one was so intense and harrowing.

[Booknblues]

Joy D wrote: "Absolutely! I was amazed at the amount of information. She must have dug through many archives. I could do a buddy read at some point for the 2nd book, but I think I need a bit of time, since this ..."

I know what you mean. There was so much information and the book was so dark that I wasn't sure I wanted to read any more of the series after, but the thought of doing a buddy read makes it more appealing. I'm in no rush, so just let me know when you are feeling ready.

[Joy D]

Will do!

[NancyJ]

I’ve had enough of most WWII fiction, but I continue to be fascinated by the real women in the resistance. It took so long for many of these stories to come to light.

Whenever I see a reference to “resistance” in the Trump White House, I wonder what kinds of stories we’ll hear one day, after the fear subsides.