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Suite Francaise | 
| Author: Irene Nemirovsky
Creator: Sandra Smith
Publisher: Vintage
Category: Book
List Price: £7.99
Buy Used: £0.01
You Save: £7.98 (100%)
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Avg. Customer Rating:  45 reviews
Sales Rank: 704
Media: Paperback
Pages: 416
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.6
Dimensions (in): 7.7 x 5 x 1.1
ISBN: 0099488787
EAN: 9780099488781
ASIN: 0099488787
Publication Date: September 30, 2006
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: Little River Books dispatch daily from South Wales. Customer satisfaction is our guarantee.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 40 more reviews...
 Unfinished memoir of life under occupation December 7, 2008
l greedily read this book due to all the positive publicity.It is a terrific insight into the proud French spirit being cowed by the might of Germany.Irene has a wonderful way of seeing the falliabilities and foibles of the human condition.No hatred here,just the narrative which makes your mind up for you.This is not quite the brilliant book l was expecting,but a good read nevertheless.Had all 5 sections been completed,we would have had a classic on our hands.A kalidiescope of French humanity.
The real star of the book is the author.The letters,from/to her at the rear of the book are utterly heart rending.The sad,sad death at Austwitz,her husband killed there also,and the relentless pursuit by the French police in order to exterminate her 2 little girls also (unsuccessful)The French refusing to grant her citizenship in 1939 (in spite of being a famous french author) which would have saved her,as to avoid death the family converted to catholcism.These letters stand out more than the story as a powerful reminder of bigotry and racism
 Unfinished masterpiece October 13, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
Suite Francaise sat on my permanent "mountain" of waiting-to-be-read books for about a year, unopened. Had I only known...
The Holocaust claimed the lives of innumerable people. Irene Nemirovsky was among them. She died at Auschwitz a year after writing the first two novels (out of intended five) belonging to Suite Francaise. "Storm in June" and "Dolce" were re-discovered decades after she died and subsequently published, adding a further and unusual insight to the tragedy of war. The world lost a very talented writer, already successful and well known at the time of her death.
I think it is important however to discern the actual BOOK from the extraordinary CIRCUMSTANCES surrounding its discovery and the personal history of its author, as it would have been, in my opinion, a great literary success regardless. No doubt this is easier said than done, especially after turning the last page having read not only the book but all the following appendixes, which clarify the author's frame of mind and personal turmoil at the time of writing, as well as several points about the manuscripts that were still pending and awaiting a definite closure, a task possible only after the end of WW2, primary background of the entirety of Suite Francaise.
Having said this, the book itself is a standout. The first novel, "Storm in June" recounts the exodus from the city of Paris due to the advancing Nazi invasion. Different characters from different backgrounds feel Paris is not safe any longer and decide to leave everything behind and flee, seeking refuge in the French countryside. Coming to terms with the lurking spectre of war generates the most varied reactions and perturbates minds and souls, revealing the true nature of each individual.
A few characters mentioned in "Storm in June" reappear, but only just, in the following novel, "Dolce" (and that's because some connections were meant to be further developed in the never-written but intended sequels). Set in a small town in the French countryside, the Germans have already arrived and impose their rules and regulations to the locals, often occupying their homes for accommodation. Everyone is bitter, resentful and scared about the imposed presence of the Nazis, from the farmers to the lords of the manor so to speak. As in the first novel, the true nature of each character reveals itself in this time of need, fear and confusion.
What the two novels have in common is the wonderful characterization. It is clear that the author wanted to project people and their feelings most of all. No matter how rich, poor, famous, noble, sweet or arrogant, no matter their different backgrounds, they all have one thing in common: fear. And one target: survival. For themselves and their loved ones. The momentous events reveal the true nature of the characters involved and the disruption it causes to their life, merging into a form of cowardice and malignancy for some and humility, courage and hope for others.
And no, this is not "another one" of those books about war or the Holocaust. It is war felt and lived through by different characters with diverse points of views, and that includes the German soldiers, depicted especially in "Dolce". Definitely a different perspective, and an original one, of WW2.
Original language hues are sometimes lost in translation, I cannot know if this was the case, however the narrative here is captivating and has an erudite quality which speaks for itself; it is in any case extremely accessible and easily readable. Sad of course, although funny remarks are included too, sparsely distilled here and there befitting certain situations. Even the least important character -just like settings and surroundings- is etched vividly reflecting the multifaceted reality of war times. If this book was not brought to an end and feels a bit disjointed, it is not something that spoils the reading. Its essence is pristine and the message conveyed a tug at the heart. Need I say more? I loved it.
 Compelling....though provoking August 31, 2008
This book really surprised me. I read it after I'd read an article about the author in a newspaper, not really thinking it was my thing, but it was! I have no idea how much of the story (fact or fiction) was lost in translation to english, but what you get is interesting, insightful, full of emotion (no drivel though!!), undoubtedly bias and makes you think about the events of war in far more depth then you have probably ever done before. I would give the second part of the book 5/5, but found the first part not quite as engaging, nontheless it is an absolute must read and I'm sure its one of those books that I will pick up and find something new in again and again.
 Disorganised and overrated! April 22, 2008
1 out of 2 found this review helpful
I was very disappointed by this book. I found it very hard to get in to. There are far too many characters and scenarios and i found it hard to develop any empathy with the characters. Eventually gave up half way through Dolce and skipped to the letters at the back!
 Nice cover, disappointing contents April 6, 2008
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I was very keen to read this book after hearing so many great reviews of it - have kept trying to progress with it but have finally admitted defeat. Just dull, with characters who made zero impact on me.
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