In the Company of Angels

A Novel

By: Nicole Mary Kelby

Narrated by: Gabrielle de Cuir

Scented by chocolate and haunted by war, this compelling novel of dark miracles and angelic visitations offers up a distinctly imaginative tale.

Marie Claire is a young French Jew in a Nazi-occupied Belgiantown, where she is cared for by her grandmother, who cultivates flowers. A shattering of glass, and Marie Claire's village is in rubble. Her grandmother is dead - everyone is dead. She flees to the root cellar of the house and waits.

Eventually she is rescued by two nuns working for the Resistance, who take her to their convent near a town where small miracles and strange visions are simply a part of life.

©2014 N. M. Kelby (P)2014 Blackstone Audiobooks

Sad, but very moving. Narrator's tops.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Not everyone's cup of tea. I think if someone is interested in WWII set in France fiction, this is an interesting story, poetically told. It reminded me of a sad version of the film Le Chocolat. There are themes involving the ravages of the Jewish concentrations camps, the simplicity of the convent life in France, and people's diverging loyalties at that time. The writing is something between poetry and narrative; it is stark and delicate. The narration is very good.

What was one of the most memorable moments of In the Company of Angels?

It would be a spoiler. Let us say, there is a magnificent scene when the little girl shows her powers.

Which scene was your favorite?

Scene in the old broken down chocolate factory. Wonderful descriptions of the now deserted factory. The narrator did a good job setting the mood for this piece.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Something about faith, and angels and chocolate!

Any additional comments?

It's a tearjerker, so be forewarned. I'm gonna go listen to something cheery now.