What do you think?
Rate this book
Waiting for the Violins by Justine Saracen
Antonia Forrester, an English nurse, is nearly killed while trying to save soldiers fleeing at Dunkirk. Embittered, she returns to occupied Brussels as a British spy to foment resistance to the Nazis. She works with urban partisans who sabotage deportation efforts and execute collaborators, before résistante leader Sandrine Toussaint accepts her into the Comet Line, an operation to rescue downed Allied pilots.
After capture and then escape from a deportation train headed for Auschwitz, the women join the Maquis fighting in the Ardenne Forests. Passion is the glowing ember that warms them amidst the winter carnage until London radio transmits the news they’ve waited for. Huddled in the darkness, they hear the coded message, the "long sobs of the violins,” signaling that the Allied Invasion is about to begin.
After capture and then escape from a deportation train headed for Auschwitz, the women join the Maquis fighting in the Ardenne Forests. Passion is the glowing ember that warms them amidst the winter carnage until London radio transmits the news they’ve waited for. Huddled in the darkness, they hear the coded message, the "long sobs of the violins,” signaling that the Allied Invasion is about to begin.
Paperback
First published March 16, 2014
5 people are currently reading
219 people want to read
About the author
Justine Saracen
14 books34 followersFrom the author's website: How a mild-mannered academic went astray and began writing lesbian fiction:
A recovered academic, Justine Saracen started out producing dreary theses, dissertations and articles for esoteric literary journals. Writing fiction, it turned out, was way more fun. With seven historical thrillers now under her literary belt, she has moved from Ancient Egyptian theology (The 100th Generation) to the Crusades (2007 Lammy-nominated Vulture’s Kiss) to the Roman Renaissance.
Sistine Heresy, which conjures up a thoroughly blasphemic backstory to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, won a 2009 Independent Publisher’s Award (IPPY) and was a finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year Award.
A few centuries farther along, WWII thriller Mephisto Aria, was a finalist in the EPIC award competition, won Rainbow awards for Best Historical Novel and Best Writing Style, and took the 2011 Golden Crown first prize for best historical novel.
The Eddie Izzard inspired novel, Sarah, Son of God followed soon after. In the story within a story, a transgendered beauty takes us through Stonewall- rioting New York, Venice under the Inquisition, and Nero’s Rome. The novel won the Rainbow First Prize for Best Transgendered Novel.
Her second WWII thriller Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright, which follows the lives of four homosexuals during the Third Reich, won the 2012 Rainbow First Prize for Historical Novel. Having lived in Germany and taught courses on 20th Century German history, Justine is deeply engaged in the moral issues of the ‘urge to war’ and the ease with which it infects.
Beloved Gomorrah, appearing March 2013, marks a return to her critique of Bible myths – in this case an LGBT version of Sodom and Gomorrah -- though it also involves a lot of Red Sea diving and the dangerous allure of a certain Hollywood actress.
Saracen lives on a “charming little winding street in Brussels.” Being an adopted European has brought her close to the memories of WWII and engendered a sort of obsession with the war years. Waiting for the Violins, her work in progress, tells of an English nurse, nearly killed while fleeing Dunkirk, who returns as a British spy and joins forces with the Belgian resistance. In a year of constant terror, she discovers both betrayal and heroism and learns how very costly love can be.
When dwelling in reality, Justine’s favorite pursuits are scuba diving and listening to opera.
A recovered academic, Justine Saracen started out producing dreary theses, dissertations and articles for esoteric literary journals. Writing fiction, it turned out, was way more fun. With seven historical thrillers now under her literary belt, she has moved from Ancient Egyptian theology (The 100th Generation) to the Crusades (2007 Lammy-nominated Vulture’s Kiss) to the Roman Renaissance.
Sistine Heresy, which conjures up a thoroughly blasphemic backstory to Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel frescoes, won a 2009 Independent Publisher’s Award (IPPY) and was a finalist in the ForeWord Book of the Year Award.
A few centuries farther along, WWII thriller Mephisto Aria, was a finalist in the EPIC award competition, won Rainbow awards for Best Historical Novel and Best Writing Style, and took the 2011 Golden Crown first prize for best historical novel.
The Eddie Izzard inspired novel, Sarah, Son of God followed soon after. In the story within a story, a transgendered beauty takes us through Stonewall- rioting New York, Venice under the Inquisition, and Nero’s Rome. The novel won the Rainbow First Prize for Best Transgendered Novel.
Her second WWII thriller Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright, which follows the lives of four homosexuals during the Third Reich, won the 2012 Rainbow First Prize for Historical Novel. Having lived in Germany and taught courses on 20th Century German history, Justine is deeply engaged in the moral issues of the ‘urge to war’ and the ease with which it infects.
Beloved Gomorrah, appearing March 2013, marks a return to her critique of Bible myths – in this case an LGBT version of Sodom and Gomorrah -- though it also involves a lot of Red Sea diving and the dangerous allure of a certain Hollywood actress.
Saracen lives on a “charming little winding street in Brussels.” Being an adopted European has brought her close to the memories of WWII and engendered a sort of obsession with the war years. Waiting for the Violins, her work in progress, tells of an English nurse, nearly killed while fleeing Dunkirk, who returns as a British spy and joins forces with the Belgian resistance. In a year of constant terror, she discovers both betrayal and heroism and learns how very costly love can be.
When dwelling in reality, Justine’s favorite pursuits are scuba diving and listening to opera.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 30, 2014
I devour historical lesfic like other people devour their paranormals. And when it comes to this genre, Ms. Saracen is an automatic buy for me. Her name on the book is like a seal of quality, authenticity, and a rollicking good read.
Antonia Forrester (what a strange name for an Englishwoman) is a nurse who is injured in Dunkirk. While recovering from her injuries, she is recruited as an operative to infiltrate Belgium. But the plane is shot down and she is lost and alone in enemy territory.
She eventually manages to hook up with the local resistance groups and thats when the action begins.
Everything about the book lived up to my expectations except for one thing--the characterization of Antonia, which I find a bit lacking, especially at the start of the book. I don't know if the author is given a maximum number of pages to keep to (BSB books are almost invariably 200+ pages only in length). A lot happens in the book, so the happenings take up most of the pages. I would have loved to get into the head of Antonia more. She could have been such a fascinating character. Why would a nurse who just cheated death jump from the frying pan into the fire by skydiving into occupied Brussels? I never did find out. I did not feel her desperation when she landed all alone behind enemy lines. These were some instances which could have been milked for their emotional impact (I want my angst! lol) but weren't--a missed opportunity, imho.
Sandrine fared better. In fact, the story really perked up when the two characters meet. The romance was quite well developed. The interactions between Antonia and Sandrine are a joy to read. There was something about their romance that I thought was a little out of place or more accurately, out of time. It was the concept of marriage and the exchange of rings. Too 21st century to fit in a 1940s f/f relationship, perhaps?
Sandrine's last minute intervention w/Rommel was a genius bit of plotting--truly vintage Saracen, and something I always look forward to in her books. It reminded me of the man-on-the-cross incident in Vulture, and the BSB reference in Sarah. I'm sorry but I have such high standards for Ms. Saracen. I was expecting--I wanted a Leni, or a Sarah, or any of those larger-than-life characters in 100th Gen/Ibis. After reading those books, the characters stayed with me forever.
Despite my rants, I quite look forward to her next book about Russian pilots. Ms. Saracen is currently without peer. She's the only lesfic author who writes lesbian romances into historically accurate stories that have engrossing, thrilling, realistic plots, and her historical fantasies are bold, somewhat heretical, one-of-a-kind mixes of history, mythology and fantasy.
4.5 stars
Antonia Forrester (what a strange name for an Englishwoman) is a nurse who is injured in Dunkirk. While recovering from her injuries, she is recruited as an operative to infiltrate Belgium. But the plane is shot down and she is lost and alone in enemy territory.
She eventually manages to hook up with the local resistance groups and thats when the action begins.
Everything about the book lived up to my expectations except for one thing--the characterization of Antonia, which I find a bit lacking, especially at the start of the book. I don't know if the author is given a maximum number of pages to keep to (BSB books are almost invariably 200+ pages only in length). A lot happens in the book, so the happenings take up most of the pages. I would have loved to get into the head of Antonia more. She could have been such a fascinating character. Why would a nurse who just cheated death jump from the frying pan into the fire by skydiving into occupied Brussels? I never did find out. I did not feel her desperation when she landed all alone behind enemy lines. These were some instances which could have been milked for their emotional impact (I want my angst! lol) but weren't--a missed opportunity, imho.
Sandrine fared better. In fact, the story really perked up when the two characters meet. The romance was quite well developed. The interactions between Antonia and Sandrine are a joy to read. There was something about their romance that I thought was a little out of place or more accurately, out of time. It was the concept of marriage and the exchange of rings. Too 21st century to fit in a 1940s f/f relationship, perhaps?
Sandrine's last minute intervention w/Rommel was a genius bit of plotting--truly vintage Saracen, and something I always look forward to in her books. It reminded me of the man-on-the-cross incident in Vulture, and the BSB reference in Sarah. I'm sorry but I have such high standards for Ms. Saracen. I was expecting--I wanted a Leni, or a Sarah, or any of those larger-than-life characters in 100th Gen/Ibis. After reading those books, the characters stayed with me forever.
Despite my rants, I quite look forward to her next book about Russian pilots. Ms. Saracen is currently without peer. She's the only lesfic author who writes lesbian romances into historically accurate stories that have engrossing, thrilling, realistic plots, and her historical fantasies are bold, somewhat heretical, one-of-a-kind mixes of history, mythology and fantasy.
4.5 stars
October 22, 2016
Very informative and wonderfully written story that takes you back to the injustices of war, it's victims and it's heroes.
September 13, 2016
This is my first book by Justine Saracen.
My first historical fiction in . . . um, six days. Heh. Figured it’d be longer. Then I saw that graphic novel set in Germany, and Shaken to the Core, then Trigger Mortis all the way back from the end of April. So this is actually my third Historical fiction novel this month. 13th this year. Let me see. My third war novel of the year. 8th book that involved military or ex-military. Third spy book of the year.
Right, got distracted there. Long ago I used to devour books like this – spy books in general, war books, military books, and specifically spy books set during WWII (roughly 77 set during WWII, not all of which were spy books (26 spy books set during WWII); roughly 49 historical fiction spy books). Somewhere along the way I kind of moved past these specific types of books, to a certain extent, but it’s still of interest.
This is the first book I’ve read set in Belgium during WWII; at least I believe it is, though I know I’ve read war books set in Belgium before. Or, at least, in land that would become Belgium, since Waterloo occurred on land that was, at the time, part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This book is a lot more a historical fiction spy thriller set during World War II than it is a lesbian book. As the afterward noted, ‘The story of the French and Belgian Resistance during World War II is inspiring and tragic, and the sexual preferences of its heroes would have been irrelevant.’ That’s not to say that this is a book that overlooks sexual preferences, but that it does not tremendously matter what someone’s preferences were. Like how Sandrine Toussaint, regardless of her likes/dislikes/wants/desires, was forced to ‘lay with’ a man for the benefits that doing so would help keep up spy operations; and how Antonia Forrester ‘lay with’ a woman on the last night of training because . . . I believe the reason given was ‘for comfort’ or something like that. Dora, the woman Antonia slept with, certainly wasn’t a lesbian – even if she initiated the contact; she just wanted ‘comfort’. It’s actually unclear if anyone in this book is a lesbian, or, for that matter, heterosexual. From the hints dropped, Sandrine might be bisexual (not because she slept with a German; but because of some of the comments regarding her husband); Dora would have been whatever term is used for someone who will sleep with anyone breathing; and Antonia . . . just might be a lesbian. Potentially. At least she turned down advances from men, but not from women.
Right. So. As the book description notes, Antonia Forrester was a nurse at Dunkirk during the evacuation. She’s injured but survived, unlike all of the other nurses, I believe, she was with. After a period of recovery from massive injuries, Antonia joins the OSS and is trained. She’s shipped off to Brussels, since she had spent some time there as a kid. She’s to contact the resistance there, and try to help as best she can. Unexpectedly, to me, she wasn’t actually going alone nor the leader of her 2 person force – she is, though, the only one to make it to Brussels.
Because of circumstances beyond her control, Antonia is cut off from command, and from her ‘target’ resistance fighters, though she is able to hook up with some Jewish fighters (and, eventually, with the group she was originally supposed to hook up with).
Sandrine Toussaint is a high class woman living in a chateau near Brussels. After faking out the Germans when they came to inspect the place as a possible headquarters, thereby keeping it in her own hands, Sandrine worked on delivering people (downed pilots, Jewish people, etc.) out of occupied lands. The leader of her line was captured shortly before Antonia arrived, and so she suggested that if anyone came by asking about that individual, they would likely be Gestapo, and so should be ignored/diverted (which is how Antonia ended up being unable to hook up with the 'correct' resistance group for months).
Time flies quickly in this book. One moment it’s June 1940, the next it’s some time in 1941. There are some rather riveting scenes, though there is a certain distancing that comes from passing through so much time in a short work. None-the-less, this was an enjoyable book, and a nice return to a genre I used to devour.
June 16 2016
My first historical fiction in . . . um, six days. Heh. Figured it’d be longer. Then I saw that graphic novel set in Germany, and Shaken to the Core, then Trigger Mortis all the way back from the end of April. So this is actually my third Historical fiction novel this month. 13th this year. Let me see. My third war novel of the year. 8th book that involved military or ex-military. Third spy book of the year.
Right, got distracted there. Long ago I used to devour books like this – spy books in general, war books, military books, and specifically spy books set during WWII (roughly 77 set during WWII, not all of which were spy books (26 spy books set during WWII); roughly 49 historical fiction spy books). Somewhere along the way I kind of moved past these specific types of books, to a certain extent, but it’s still of interest.
This is the first book I’ve read set in Belgium during WWII; at least I believe it is, though I know I’ve read war books set in Belgium before. Or, at least, in land that would become Belgium, since Waterloo occurred on land that was, at the time, part of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands.
This book is a lot more a historical fiction spy thriller set during World War II than it is a lesbian book. As the afterward noted, ‘The story of the French and Belgian Resistance during World War II is inspiring and tragic, and the sexual preferences of its heroes would have been irrelevant.’ That’s not to say that this is a book that overlooks sexual preferences, but that it does not tremendously matter what someone’s preferences were. Like how Sandrine Toussaint, regardless of her likes/dislikes/wants/desires, was forced to ‘lay with’ a man for the benefits that doing so would help keep up spy operations; and how Antonia Forrester ‘lay with’ a woman on the last night of training because . . . I believe the reason given was ‘for comfort’ or something like that. Dora, the woman Antonia slept with, certainly wasn’t a lesbian – even if she initiated the contact; she just wanted ‘comfort’. It’s actually unclear if anyone in this book is a lesbian, or, for that matter, heterosexual. From the hints dropped, Sandrine might be bisexual (not because she slept with a German; but because of some of the comments regarding her husband); Dora would have been whatever term is used for someone who will sleep with anyone breathing; and Antonia . . . just might be a lesbian. Potentially. At least she turned down advances from men, but not from women.
Right. So. As the book description notes, Antonia Forrester was a nurse at Dunkirk during the evacuation. She’s injured but survived, unlike all of the other nurses, I believe, she was with. After a period of recovery from massive injuries, Antonia joins the OSS and is trained. She’s shipped off to Brussels, since she had spent some time there as a kid. She’s to contact the resistance there, and try to help as best she can. Unexpectedly, to me, she wasn’t actually going alone nor the leader of her 2 person force – she is, though, the only one to make it to Brussels.
Because of circumstances beyond her control, Antonia is cut off from command, and from her ‘target’ resistance fighters, though she is able to hook up with some Jewish fighters (and, eventually, with the group she was originally supposed to hook up with).
Sandrine Toussaint is a high class woman living in a chateau near Brussels. After faking out the Germans when they came to inspect the place as a possible headquarters, thereby keeping it in her own hands, Sandrine worked on delivering people (downed pilots, Jewish people, etc.) out of occupied lands. The leader of her line was captured shortly before Antonia arrived, and so she suggested that if anyone came by asking about that individual, they would likely be Gestapo, and so should be ignored/diverted (which is how Antonia ended up being unable to hook up with the 'correct' resistance group for months).
Time flies quickly in this book. One moment it’s June 1940, the next it’s some time in 1941. There are some rather riveting scenes, though there is a certain distancing that comes from passing through so much time in a short work. None-the-less, this was an enjoyable book, and a nice return to a genre I used to devour.
June 16 2016
January 11, 2019
It is one thing to read and find a connection. It is another to read, find a connection, and learn at the same time. This historical read reminded me of the importance of not taking what we have for granted. I appreciated the educational component of this read. While reading this story, I not only acquired knowledge but I was moved by the strength of character of Sandrine Toussaint and Antonia Forrester. These two women were so dedicated and persistent while determined to keep up the good fight. Not so much a love story but a caring one reminding us that person can make a difference.
November 17, 2017
You can find more of my reviews at https://spinesinaline.wordpress.com!
I was honestly expecting this one to be more of a romance but most of the book actually focuses on the work of the many resistance groups in operation in Belgium, so I’d put this more in the historical fiction genre than anything else. Not that this was a bad thing; the author is very detailed in setting up this history and she sets up the story so that the main characters are involved in each group, giving the reader more of an insider’s scoop as to each of the group’s missions and motivations. Plus, while they’re all based in Belgium, we actually get to travel all over Europe with the main characters, as one of the main groups they’re involved with is the Comet Line which worked to help captured Allied soldiers escape to Spain.
More disappointing though was that the parts that did include the romance aspect were not well done. For some reason, the natural flow of the book in preceding sections would become suddenly stilted and formal when the two romantic leads were together. The dialogue in particular felt very forced, which was especially odd because when the two women were engaged in an ‘everyday’ conversation, they spoke naturally but somehow being situated in a romantic scene ripped that natural quality away. The two also used older terms for each other like ‘dear’, which in context just sounded like it was setting up an age difference rather than a term of endearment. I don’t understand how these scenes could be so distinct from the rest of the book because I found the rest of the story very engaging, but I was never able to connect with the relationship that was centered at the heart of the story.
I was also really uncomfortable with one element of the relationship, which focused on one of the woman’s jealousy of the other. I won’t get too much into it and it is a more disturbing element of the story, but one of the women becomes involved with a German officer in hopes of using the advantages of the relationship to ensure security for her resistance efforts. Rather than seeing this as abuse, whether directly or abusing a severe power dynamic, and feeling some kind of pain or anguish for her friend (at this point), the other woman actually gets jealous that she can’t be in the officer’s place! The fact that she basically states that she would prefer the situation if she was the abuser really put me off so I think this was very poorly handled.
There’s still a lot of rich history to learn from this book, no matter how the romance part plays in, so I think it’s still an important read to learn about many of the people who made sacrifices during the war – and the author actually uses many real individuals in her writing, all of whom you can learn more about in the afterword. Of course I would’ve liked a stronger romance section since it was off-putting but the author’s research and historical narrative still made it a compelling read.
I was honestly expecting this one to be more of a romance but most of the book actually focuses on the work of the many resistance groups in operation in Belgium, so I’d put this more in the historical fiction genre than anything else. Not that this was a bad thing; the author is very detailed in setting up this history and she sets up the story so that the main characters are involved in each group, giving the reader more of an insider’s scoop as to each of the group’s missions and motivations. Plus, while they’re all based in Belgium, we actually get to travel all over Europe with the main characters, as one of the main groups they’re involved with is the Comet Line which worked to help captured Allied soldiers escape to Spain.
More disappointing though was that the parts that did include the romance aspect were not well done. For some reason, the natural flow of the book in preceding sections would become suddenly stilted and formal when the two romantic leads were together. The dialogue in particular felt very forced, which was especially odd because when the two women were engaged in an ‘everyday’ conversation, they spoke naturally but somehow being situated in a romantic scene ripped that natural quality away. The two also used older terms for each other like ‘dear’, which in context just sounded like it was setting up an age difference rather than a term of endearment. I don’t understand how these scenes could be so distinct from the rest of the book because I found the rest of the story very engaging, but I was never able to connect with the relationship that was centered at the heart of the story.
I was also really uncomfortable with one element of the relationship, which focused on one of the woman’s jealousy of the other. I won’t get too much into it and it is a more disturbing element of the story, but one of the women becomes involved with a German officer in hopes of using the advantages of the relationship to ensure security for her resistance efforts. Rather than seeing this as abuse, whether directly or abusing a severe power dynamic, and feeling some kind of pain or anguish for her friend (at this point), the other woman actually gets jealous that she can’t be in the officer’s place! The fact that she basically states that she would prefer the situation if she was the abuser really put me off so I think this was very poorly handled.
There’s still a lot of rich history to learn from this book, no matter how the romance part plays in, so I think it’s still an important read to learn about many of the people who made sacrifices during the war – and the author actually uses many real individuals in her writing, all of whom you can learn more about in the afterword. Of course I would’ve liked a stronger romance section since it was off-putting but the author’s research and historical narrative still made it a compelling read.
March 24, 2014
This was a thrilling, charming, and heartrending trip back in time to the early years of World War II and the active resistance enclaves. This story primarily takes place in Brussels, the capital of Belgium, after Belgium has surrendered to the Nazis. There are many heartwarming, amusing, and debilitating tales of life in an occupied country. However, what is so dramatically different than today is the limited communication along with the complications that made reaching out or getting current news so constricted, difficult, and dangerous at that time. With our current world overflowing with social media avenues and instantaneous broadcasting of events, it is a harsh and stark contrast to be presented with the minimal links to news avenues that existed in the early 1940s. Stunning and eye-opening!
Antonia Forrester with her undercover name of Sophie Lajeune was initially a nurse, a member of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps. She is recruited for a new, highly secret infiltration operation based on her early education and skill. She readily accepts and will be trained as soon as she has recovered from her injuries from the Dunkirk disaster. She has a complicated time connecting with her primary Brussels linkup and then is knocked for an erotic charge upon finally meeting her contact. I totally adored and rooted for Antonia. Intriguing and delightful!
Sandrine Toussaint becomes the de facto head of the 'Comet Line' after the previous leader is captured. This organization evacuates downed pilots and other undocumented folk out of Belgium to Spain or Switzerland. Finally having proof that London will provide replenishments and funds via airplane drops to the Comet Line, Antonia gets to meet Sandrine and establish a partnership. This is the beginning of a really beautiful, expansive, and eventually extended relationship that provides a core essence to live for and prevail. Sandrine is a survivor and I adored that. Beautiful!
The detail and the intensity definitely elevated this book above a simple historical tale. Additionally, the slow but passionately evolving relationship between Antonia and Sandrine added a marvelous heat and tender personal touch, that put faces and hearts on the courageous people attempting to resist the horror all around them. This was very moving yet rather an enjoyable read, re-acquainting and re-educating me with this global tragedy. Very fine!
By the way, there are several low level references to violins in this story. Sandrine's brother played the violin. Sandrine went to a violin concert with General Rommel, who also played the violin. However, the BBC makes a reference to a concert that will be performed on June 5th, 1944 and they included a line from a poem that was to be the signal that the invasion had started. Les sanglots des violons d'autumne translated means the long sighs of the violins of autumn. Every operative had been waiting for that signal a long, long time. I think that locks in the meaning of the title of this wonderful book!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
Antonia Forrester with her undercover name of Sophie Lajeune was initially a nurse, a member of the Queen Alexandra Royal Army Nursing Corps. She is recruited for a new, highly secret infiltration operation based on her early education and skill. She readily accepts and will be trained as soon as she has recovered from her injuries from the Dunkirk disaster. She has a complicated time connecting with her primary Brussels linkup and then is knocked for an erotic charge upon finally meeting her contact. I totally adored and rooted for Antonia. Intriguing and delightful!
Sandrine Toussaint becomes the de facto head of the 'Comet Line' after the previous leader is captured. This organization evacuates downed pilots and other undocumented folk out of Belgium to Spain or Switzerland. Finally having proof that London will provide replenishments and funds via airplane drops to the Comet Line, Antonia gets to meet Sandrine and establish a partnership. This is the beginning of a really beautiful, expansive, and eventually extended relationship that provides a core essence to live for and prevail. Sandrine is a survivor and I adored that. Beautiful!
The detail and the intensity definitely elevated this book above a simple historical tale. Additionally, the slow but passionately evolving relationship between Antonia and Sandrine added a marvelous heat and tender personal touch, that put faces and hearts on the courageous people attempting to resist the horror all around them. This was very moving yet rather an enjoyable read, re-acquainting and re-educating me with this global tragedy. Very fine!
By the way, there are several low level references to violins in this story. Sandrine's brother played the violin. Sandrine went to a violin concert with General Rommel, who also played the violin. However, the BBC makes a reference to a concert that will be performed on June 5th, 1944 and they included a line from a poem that was to be the signal that the invasion had started. Les sanglots des violons d'autumne translated means the long sighs of the violins of autumn. Every operative had been waiting for that signal a long, long time. I think that locks in the meaning of the title of this wonderful book!
NOTE: This book was provided by Bold Strokes Books for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.
October 2, 2014
Among all the lesbian themed books I've read, I've rarely come across one that has strong historical elements, this book is pretty unique on its own. The story spans from approximately 1940 through 1945, and how Antonia and Sandrine crosses path, saw each other as an ally, falling in love, torn apart and eventually finding each other again.
It's a gripping and fast paced story that also gives you quite a bit of historical background to the events happened during the world war II. I love Sandrine, she's the warm, determined and brave person who puts everything on the line and fighting a cause against the Germans. I love how Antonia and Sandrine's attraction to each other was from a gradual build up. The ending though, I felt it was a little bit of an open end since both of the main characters are still in the midst of war so we don't truly know how the story ends. But given the era where the story takes place, I'd say it's appropriate. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who wanted to read a historical for a change.
It's a gripping and fast paced story that also gives you quite a bit of historical background to the events happened during the world war II. I love Sandrine, she's the warm, determined and brave person who puts everything on the line and fighting a cause against the Germans. I love how Antonia and Sandrine's attraction to each other was from a gradual build up. The ending though, I felt it was a little bit of an open end since both of the main characters are still in the midst of war so we don't truly know how the story ends. But given the era where the story takes place, I'd say it's appropriate. I'd highly recommend this book for anyone who wanted to read a historical for a change.
December 5, 2014
This was a joy to read. The research that Saracen has done pays off handsomely here. The setting and the details felt real. No doubt it helps that she lives in the same location and has had contact with several of the families of the people she has populated the book. As such, she could base the majority of the story, the people and the events on real life. The story ticks along and there is a real and potent threat to the characters for much of it, lending a genuine thriller element to what could have been a stodgy historical narrative in lesser hands. I found this fascinating. The characters and the story were well written and I was captive to the writer for the duration. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author.
March 11, 2015
Justine Saracen's novels seem to be more and more interesting! Although I've read a lot of books set during WW2, I'd never known anything about the situation in Belgium! Now I do!
Justine's prose is always superb,and I'm always learning new things reading her books. Can't wait to meet "The Witch of Stalingrad"!!
Justine's prose is always superb,and I'm always learning new things reading her books. Can't wait to meet "The Witch of Stalingrad"!!
May 8, 2023
«Вона мала щось робити. Вона не знала, що саме, але хтось, деінде, вже мав би почати чинити опір. І вона приєднається до них і помститься.»
Це історія про боротьбу. Боротьбу з звірами в нацистській формі.
Події книги відбуваються протягом 1940-1945 років в окупованій Бельгії, а пізніше й на території Франції. Антонія Форрестер, колишня медсестра, а тепер агентка британських секретних служб отримує завдання знайти та зв'язатися з групою опору в Бельгії, яка має ім'я «Лінія Комети». Опинившись в Брюсселі, після місяців пошуків, вона все ж знаходить змогу зв'язатися з повстанцями та їхньою неофіційною керівницею Сандрін Туссен. Поступово вони починають працювати разом та продовжують витягати солдатів Союзників з окупованого Брюсселю на підконтрольні території.
Зацікавила мене ця книга саме тим, що вона сфокусована на Європі за часів німецької окупації. Набагато частіше в книгах та фільмах розповідаються історії про США, аніж про країни, які потрапили під окупацію. І в цьому плані книга справді вирізняється споміж іншого схожого медіа.
Зізнаюся, прочитання цієї книги було прекрасно проведеним часом. І я зробила справжню помилку, почавши читати її ввечері перед сном, адже сну в ту ніч я так зовсім й не отримала. Книга мене настільки затягнула, що я просиділа з нею в руках аж до восьмої ранку та почервонілих очей.
Власне, хоча б за те, наскільки ця книга мене затягнула я маю її похвалити й порекомендувати вам. Але це далеко не все, насправді ця історія має як плюси, так й мінуси, через що й не отримала від мене максимальної оцінки. І хочу я почати з плюсів.
Величезним плюсом, окрім тематики книги, для мене стала й її історична складова. Дуже помітно, що авторка дослідила тему перед написанням цієї історії. В кінці книги вона це й підтвердила, розказавши про те, що деякі персонажі носять імена справжніх людей з справжніми історіями. Ще одним плюсом я хочу назвати стиль написання. Він звичайний, в найкращому розумінні цього слова. Тобто достатньо гарний та легкий для сприйняття, що мені сподобалася. Також мені сподобалися персонажі, хоч, на мою думку, їх і було забагато, проте, кожен мав цікаву історію.
Щоправда з головними героїнями все не настільки добре. Антонія здалася мені не до кінця продуманою. Протягом історії ми так і не дізнаємося про її переживання та мотивації, а іноді вона здавалася мені недостатньо емоційною. Й це при тому, що сама я достатньо не емоційна людина. Всі ті самі проблеми наявні й з Сандріною, хоч і в меншій концентрації. Не знаю, чому так вийшло, але аристократична жінка, яка займалася горизонтальною колаборацією з одним з нацистів, виявилася в цій парі набагато цікавішою персонажкою та трохи більш людяною та продуманою.
Через цей місцями недоречний стоїцизм в книзі мало емоційних сцен. Й коли в основних подіях це мене зовсім не турбувало, а навіть подобалося, то в романтичній складовій це тільки заважало. Роман двох героїнь безперечно є другорядним в цій історії, проте, це все ще не виправдання. Він відчувався трохи недорозвиненим й місцями доволі недолугим. І, як мені не дивно це казати, але книга спрацювала би навіть без романтичної лінії, а можливо, навіть й була би кращою. Серйозно, ці дві жінки могли би бути близькими подругами й я б, напевно, була тільки рада. А деякі сцени взагалі залишали мене сконфуженою. Та, все ж, романтична складова була достатньо цікавою, аби не до кінця зіпсувати мої враження. Починаючи книгу я й не очікувала тут романтики, адже дуже тупо недочитала теги й взялася за прочитання нічого не знаючи про історію. Можливо, саме через це романтична складова мене й не вразила та місцями відчувалася трохи зайвою? Я банально увійшла в ріку, не знаючи броду й, очевидно, маючи не ті очікування. А потім не встигла достатньо швидко посеред книги змінити свої очікування, аби вони краще підійшли.
Також маю претензії до того, що в цій книзі є багато фрагментів, які, очевидно мали тут бути заради емоційних моментів, проте, не були здатні їх викликати в мене. Тому й відчувалися просто зайвими, адже не несли ані емоційної цінності, ані навіть сюжетної, в більшості випадків.
Та, загалом, я все ж рекомендую цю книгу вам до прочитання, адже її історичність та захопливість перекрили для мене всі ті недоліки, про які я вам розказала. Отож, книга отримує від мене стійку четвірку. За високу якість, проте й за невиправданий потенціал, який був настільки помітним.
Це історія про боротьбу. Боротьбу з звірами в нацистській формі.
Події книги відбуваються протягом 1940-1945 років в окупованій Бельгії, а пізніше й на території Франції. Антонія Форрестер, колишня медсестра, а тепер агентка британських секретних служб отримує завдання знайти та зв'язатися з групою опору в Бельгії, яка має ім'я «Лінія Комети». Опинившись в Брюсселі, після місяців пошуків, вона все ж знаходить змогу зв'язатися з повстанцями та їхньою неофіційною керівницею Сандрін Туссен. Поступово вони починають працювати разом та продовжують витягати солдатів Союзників з окупованого Брюсселю на підконтрольні території.
Зацікавила мене ця книга саме тим, що вона сфокусована на Європі за часів німецької окупації. Набагато частіше в книгах та фільмах розповідаються історії про США, аніж про країни, які потрапили під окупацію. І в цьому плані книга справді вирізняється споміж іншого схожого медіа.
Зізнаюся, прочитання цієї книги було прекрасно проведеним часом. І я зробила справжню помилку, почавши читати її ввечері перед сном, адже сну в ту ніч я так зовсім й не отримала. Книга мене настільки затягнула, що я просиділа з нею в руках аж до восьмої ранку та почервонілих очей.
Власне, хоча б за те, наскільки ця книга мене затягнула я маю її похвалити й порекомендувати вам. Але це далеко не все, насправді ця історія має як плюси, так й мінуси, через що й не отримала від мене максимальної оцінки. І хочу я почати з плюсів.
Величезним плюсом, окрім тематики книги, для мене стала й її історична складова. Дуже помітно, що авторка дослідила тему перед написанням цієї історії. В кінці книги вона це й підтвердила, розказавши про те, що деякі персонажі носять імена справжніх людей з справжніми історіями. Ще одним плюсом я хочу назвати стиль написання. Він звичайний, в найкращому розумінні цього слова. Тобто достатньо гарний та легкий для сприйняття, що мені сподобалася. Також мені сподобалися персонажі, хоч, на мою думку, їх і було забагато, проте, кожен мав цікаву історію.
Щоправда з головними героїнями все не настільки добре. Антонія здалася мені не до кінця продуманою. Протягом історії ми так і не дізнаємося про її переживання та мотивації, а іноді вона здавалася мені недостатньо емоційною. Й це при тому, що сама я достатньо не емоційна людина. Всі ті самі проблеми наявні й з Сандріною, хоч і в меншій концентрації. Не знаю, чому так вийшло, але аристократична жінка, яка займалася горизонтальною колаборацією з одним з нацистів, виявилася в цій парі набагато цікавішою персонажкою та трохи більш людяною та продуманою.
Через цей місцями недоречний стоїцизм в книзі мало емоційних сцен. Й коли в основних подіях це мене зовсім не турбувало, а навіть подобалося, то в романтичній складовій це тільки заважало. Роман двох героїнь безперечно є другорядним в цій історії, проте, це все ще не виправдання. Він відчувався трохи недорозвиненим й місцями доволі недолугим. І, як мені не дивно це казати, але книга спрацювала би навіть без романтичної лінії, а можливо, навіть й була би кращою. Серйозно, ці дві жінки могли би бути близькими подругами й я б, напевно, була тільки рада. А деякі сцени взагалі залишали мене сконфуженою. Та, все ж, романтична складова була достатньо цікавою, аби не до кінця зіпсувати мої враження. Починаючи книгу я й не очікувала тут романтики, адже дуже тупо недочитала теги й взялася за прочитання нічого не знаючи про історію. Можливо, саме через це романтична складова мене й не вразила та місцями відчувалася трохи зайвою? Я банально увійшла в ріку, не знаючи броду й, очевидно, маючи не ті очікування. А потім не встигла достатньо швидко посеред книги змінити свої очікування, аби вони краще підійшли.
Також маю претензії до того, що в цій книзі є багато фрагментів, які, очевидно мали тут бути заради емоційних моментів, проте, не були здатні їх викликати в мене. Тому й відчувалися просто зайвими, адже не несли ані емоційної цінності, ані навіть сюжетної, в більшості випадків.
Та, загалом, я все ж рекомендую цю книгу вам до прочитання, адже її історичність та захопливість перекрили для мене всі ті недоліки, про які я вам розказала. Отож, книга отримує від мене стійку четвірку. За високу якість, проте й за невиправданий потенціал, який був настільки помітним.
December 8, 2022
Wat doe je als de enige HLGTBIQ-boekhandel die lesbische pulpromans aanbiedt, uit noodzaak stopt. Je koopt een voorraad boeken in :-)
Drie maal Justine Saracen - drie maal een goed geschreven verhaal (niveau stationrommannetje) maar zo welkom als de heteronormerende wereld me de keel uitkomt.
Best goed
Drie maal Justine Saracen - drie maal een goed geschreven verhaal (niveau stationrommannetje) maar zo welkom als de heteronormerende wereld me de keel uitkomt.
Best goed
April 19, 2018
Great WWII read
Excellent author. The narrator helps being r the multiple sorry lines together. The love story is believable. Highly recommend book.
Excellent author. The narrator helps being r the multiple sorry lines together. The love story is believable. Highly recommend book.
October 11, 2014
This book covered a time period I’m very interested in – WWII – and a topic that kept playing on my mind a lot recently – life in Western Europe under the Nazi occupation. Add to that a love story between two strong women, and I was game.
First of all, this book is labeled “Lesbian General Fiction” , not romance, and that was exactly what it was. Well, there was a romantic subplot, but rather underdeveloped – which almost seems a given with a story about a British spy and a résistance fighter in war-riddled Belgium – even though what little of that there was I felt quite realistically done and poignant. But there was actually very little romanticism in this book at all, neither in regard to the love story nor the résistance fighters or the characters’ day-to-day struggle for survival. I liked that, actually; this story showed the dirt, blood, tears and death that is war and didn’t turn it into a heroic saga. Good people do horrible things, bad people do admirable things in this story, like it happens in real life. It made me wonder: what would I have done in some of the characters’ places? I love it when this happens, when a historical book makes me think
As for historical accuracy, I’m no historian, but I didn’t find any logical fault in the proceedings. The author created an enthralling picture of the time period. She mentions in her notes that she did interviews with survivors and descendants of some of the acting characters; she even uses real peoples’ names in the book in compliment to their memory. Also, the sense of time and place in this story struck me as outstanding. I happen to know some of the locations where the story is set, and I felt transported there, sixty years in the past. Whether starving Brussels under the occupation, the Ardenne forest, the battles and fights, nightly parachuting behind enemy lines, the deportation camps – everything was depicted with haunting realism.
The story in and of itself was really gripping; I was totally wrapped up in it and could barely put the book down! Relating to suspense and action, this book is on par with many a spy thriller I’ve read. But the reading experience was even more intense for the glimpses into so many characters’ single fates this story offered.
The narrative was straightforward, a little bit detached, even somewhat overfraught with technical details at times. The way this story was told kept me – as the reader – at a distance from the characters; although I cared for them, for all of them, I didn’t even feel really connected to the two heroines. However, style and language fit the spirit of the times and made the whole book a well-rounded reading experience.
Review written for prismbookalliance
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
First of all, this book is labeled “Lesbian General Fiction” , not romance, and that was exactly what it was. Well, there was a romantic subplot, but rather underdeveloped – which almost seems a given with a story about a British spy and a résistance fighter in war-riddled Belgium – even though what little of that there was I felt quite realistically done and poignant. But there was actually very little romanticism in this book at all, neither in regard to the love story nor the résistance fighters or the characters’ day-to-day struggle for survival. I liked that, actually; this story showed the dirt, blood, tears and death that is war and didn’t turn it into a heroic saga. Good people do horrible things, bad people do admirable things in this story, like it happens in real life. It made me wonder: what would I have done in some of the characters’ places? I love it when this happens, when a historical book makes me think
As for historical accuracy, I’m no historian, but I didn’t find any logical fault in the proceedings. The author created an enthralling picture of the time period. She mentions in her notes that she did interviews with survivors and descendants of some of the acting characters; she even uses real peoples’ names in the book in compliment to their memory. Also, the sense of time and place in this story struck me as outstanding. I happen to know some of the locations where the story is set, and I felt transported there, sixty years in the past. Whether starving Brussels under the occupation, the Ardenne forest, the battles and fights, nightly parachuting behind enemy lines, the deportation camps – everything was depicted with haunting realism.
The story in and of itself was really gripping; I was totally wrapped up in it and could barely put the book down! Relating to suspense and action, this book is on par with many a spy thriller I’ve read. But the reading experience was even more intense for the glimpses into so many characters’ single fates this story offered.
The narrative was straightforward, a little bit detached, even somewhat overfraught with technical details at times. The way this story was told kept me – as the reader – at a distance from the characters; although I cared for them, for all of them, I didn’t even feel really connected to the two heroines. However, style and language fit the spirit of the times and made the whole book a well-rounded reading experience.
Review written for prismbookalliance
http://www.prismbookalliance.com/2014...
November 4, 2016
Not at all what I expected from this particular publishing company. The book is very well researched, maybe at times bogged down by the details, but overall the book is interesting and an easy read. My main problem with the story is that the romance seemed almost tacked on, alsoI I can't believe Celine died!!!!!!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2020
A tale well told and well researched. Even though there's a huge cast of characters, they are fleshed out, and used effectively to drive the story. The romance between Antoine and Sandrine is also realistic, given that there was a war raging.
December 6, 2015
2014 Rainbow Awards Honorable Mention (5* from at least 1 judge)
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews