The Paris Children

A Novel of World War 2

Paris, 1935. A dark shadow falls over Europe as Adolf Hitler's regime gains momentum, leaving the city of Paris on the brink of occupation. Young Madeleine Levy - granddaughter of Alfred Dreyfus, a Jewish World War I hero - steps bravely into a new wave of resistance and becomes the guardian of lost children. 

When Madeleine meets a small girl in a tattered coat with the hollow look of one forced to live a nightmare - a young Jewish refugee from Germany named Anna - she knows that she cannot stand idly by. Paris is full of children like Anna - frightened and starving, innocent casualties of a war barely begun. Madeleine offers them comfort and strength while working with other members of the resistance to smuggle them into safer territories. 

But as the Paris she loves is transformed into a theater of tension and hatred, many people are tempted to abandon the cause - and the country. And amidst the impending horror and doubt, Madeleine's relationship with Claude, a young Jewish Resistance fighter, as passionate about saving vulnerable children as she is, deepens. With a questionable future ahead of them, all Madeleine can do is continue fighting and hope that her spirit - and the nation's - won't be broken. 

A remarkable, paranoramic novel, The Paris Children is a story of love and tragedy that illuminates the power of hope and courage in the face of adversity.

©2020 Gloria Goldreich (P)2020 Recorded Books

A true story that was well narrated

This story sadly told the truth about Nazi occupied territories and the horror inflicted on a group of people just because they dared to live. A somber lesson in history that could be repeated.

Some good but long

So there are some aspects of this book in which I really enjoyed.
The narrator was excellent. Her accent was great and at times I had to listen intently to what she was saying in English.
It had some very good expletives. Nice phrasing and adjectives. It seemed to flow well.
I think the book was too long. Lots of dead space. Probably could have been completed in half the time. I understand wanting detail but there seemed to be a lot of dead space. I like long books but this one seemed unnecessary.
I admire the tenacity of people who have gone through this horrible time. Their endurance is well noted.
I wish I liked it more. I just didn’t.