What do you think?
Rate this book
My Longest Night
"An unforgettable account of D-Day" from the perspective of a young woman who saved the lives of Allied soldiers (New Statesman).
Growing up in the remote, marshy lowlands of Normandy, young Genevi�ve Duboscq had little concept of war--even after Nazi Germany occupied France. But that would change on the night of June 5, 1944, when the first wave of Allied paratroopers descended on either side of the Paris-to-Cherbourg railway line--virtually in the Duboscq family's backyard. Throughout that historic night, Genevi�ve and her father, a hard-drinking peasant named Papa Maurice, saved numerous Americans from drowning and gave them refuge while they regrouped for what was to become one of the most heroic battles of World War II.
This touching eyewitness account, told from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl, has all the force and beauty of Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl.
"So direct and unaffected that the mot juste is 'amateur' in the original sense of the one who embarks on a project motivated by love and conviction rather than for gain." --Los Angeles Times
"One of the most personal descriptions of D-Day that we are likely to have." --The Christian Science Monitor
Growing up in the remote, marshy lowlands of Normandy, young Genevi�ve Duboscq had little concept of war--even after Nazi Germany occupied France. But that would change on the night of June 5, 1944, when the first wave of Allied paratroopers descended on either side of the Paris-to-Cherbourg railway line--virtually in the Duboscq family's backyard. Throughout that historic night, Genevi�ve and her father, a hard-drinking peasant named Papa Maurice, saved numerous Americans from drowning and gave them refuge while they regrouped for what was to become one of the most heroic battles of World War II.
This touching eyewitness account, told from the perspective of a twelve-year-old girl, has all the force and beauty of Anne Frank's Diary of a Young Girl.
"So direct and unaffected that the mot juste is 'amateur' in the original sense of the one who embarks on a project motivated by love and conviction rather than for gain." --Los Angeles Times
"One of the most personal descriptions of D-Day that we are likely to have." --The Christian Science Monitor
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 1, 1981
35 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
August 16, 2017
This is an easy read and a good page turner. Apparently, it is a true story. I say apparently because I have somewhat of a hard time believing all the facts in this story. Miracles galore and a soldier wanting to adopt but then decided to marry a 12-year-old (the author)?? HUH???
It all takes place during and just after the Normandy landing.
It really reads like a historical fiction. However, if all of this did take place and it is ALL TRUE --- I'll give this page turner a rating of a 5.
Note -- Her father received the Medal of Honor and his daughter Genevieve America's Guard of Honor for saving injured allied soldiers and a few German soldiers during the Normandy landing.
Okay, I'll say it is a TRUE STORY since they received these honors.
It all takes place during and just after the Normandy landing.
It really reads like a historical fiction. However, if all of this did take place and it is ALL TRUE --- I'll give this page turner a rating of a 5.
Note -- Her father received the Medal of Honor and his daughter Genevieve America's Guard of Honor for saving injured allied soldiers and a few German soldiers during the Normandy landing.
Okay, I'll say it is a TRUE STORY since they received these honors.
June 3, 2019
This is a memoir of a young girl that lived in the marsh area of Normandy. She is the third of four children and for some unexplained reason, is singly abused by her alcoholic father. The story tells of her impoverished family life. Genevieve steals fish from a fisherman’s traps, gathers eggs from ducks and other birds in the marsh. Often the family only has bread and milk. She seems musically gifted with a lovely singing voice. She adores her little brother, Claude.
The war brings new hardships to her family. On the night before the D Day invasion, her family rescues and aids injured Allied parachuters and later even a few German soldiers. The best part of the book begins here and goes through the aftermath of the Allied invasion. Genevieve, is always taken with the rescuing soldiers and by war’s end, at only 12 years old, claims to have fallen in love with one, Robert. It is clear she just needs to be rescued from her dismal life. I found most of the part about her “rescuer” hard to believe. His view, her parents, all stretch the credibility factor, but she fully intends to marry him and things seem to be progressing to that end.
Many things in this book are upsetting to the reader. The girl is expected to care for her one year old brother when she is only six herself. The abuse from her father is horrible and the mother never seems to do much about it. During the soldiers’ convalescence the parents often leave the home with the 11 year old Genevieve and six year old brother alone with these military people. The parents not only risk their safety but that of their youngest children too. The older children are not present for nearly all of the story.
As she turns thirteen and waits for Robert to be released from military service an accident befalls Genevieve and Claude. The rest of the book is the aftermath of that terrible accident. This book is not uplifting but Genevieve has an indomitable spirit which you can only cheer on.
The war brings new hardships to her family. On the night before the D Day invasion, her family rescues and aids injured Allied parachuters and later even a few German soldiers. The best part of the book begins here and goes through the aftermath of the Allied invasion. Genevieve, is always taken with the rescuing soldiers and by war’s end, at only 12 years old, claims to have fallen in love with one, Robert. It is clear she just needs to be rescued from her dismal life. I found most of the part about her “rescuer” hard to believe. His view, her parents, all stretch the credibility factor, but she fully intends to marry him and things seem to be progressing to that end.
Many things in this book are upsetting to the reader. The girl is expected to care for her one year old brother when she is only six herself. The abuse from her father is horrible and the mother never seems to do much about it. During the soldiers’ convalescence the parents often leave the home with the 11 year old Genevieve and six year old brother alone with these military people. The parents not only risk their safety but that of their youngest children too. The older children are not present for nearly all of the story.
As she turns thirteen and waits for Robert to be released from military service an accident befalls Genevieve and Claude. The rest of the book is the aftermath of that terrible accident. This book is not uplifting but Genevieve has an indomitable spirit which you can only cheer on.
March 24, 2025
A very gripping book. Gave me some insight into the paratrooper "invasion" that I had never heard as most books seem to focus on the beach landings of D-Day. I had no idea that there was so much marsh land in France. I had heard that the paratroopers weren't as successful in some ways as the planners had hoped, but the flooded marsh was evidently something that the planners weren't aware of.
It is a very good story to illustrate what humans are capable of when the situation presents itself and how much each individual person's contributions matter. Demonstrates even what a "kid" of 11 or 12 can do. Genevieve and her family were heroes.
With that said, multiple events in the story are very depressing, so if you can't handle a depressing but good book right now, save it for later.
It is a very good story to illustrate what humans are capable of when the situation presents itself and how much each individual person's contributions matter. Demonstrates even what a "kid" of 11 or 12 can do. Genevieve and her family were heroes.
With that said, multiple events in the story are very depressing, so if you can't handle a depressing but good book right now, save it for later.
June 10, 2019
A story of courage, hope and perseverance emanating from a young girl in WWII Normandy the week of, and following D-Day. This true story captures the horrors of war from the perspective of an intelligent, spiritual, and musically gifted 11 year old with unfailing optimism tempered by a kind of wisdom far beyond her years. I ached for young Genevieve and wanted so much more for her than the world managed to give her.
December 13, 2018
World War 2 Story
Good book. The story wrote as a memoir, and emphasized how her family cared for U.S. Soldiers afterD-Day. She was only twelve at the time but explains that the war caused her to grow up quickly. Restoring of her love affair was notbelievablfe son e the reason for the break up made no sense..
Good book. The story wrote as a memoir, and emphasized how her family cared for U.S. Soldiers afterD-Day. She was only twelve at the time but explains that the war caused her to grow up quickly. Restoring of her love affair was notbelievablfe son e the reason for the break up made no sense..
September 20, 2018
D day from the eyes of a 11 year old girl
An interesting tale of the D Day invasion as seen through a remarkable woman. Of particular interest is he description of the Normadie culture and geography.
An interesting tale of the D Day invasion as seen through a remarkable woman. Of particular interest is he description of the Normadie culture and geography.
April 9, 2020
Beautiful story of courage & faith
Excellent read that keeps you turning the pages with one surprise after another. Beautifully written so as to transport you back in time. Highly recommend this beautiful book.
Excellent read that keeps you turning the pages with one surprise after another. Beautifully written so as to transport you back in time. Highly recommend this beautiful book.
February 12, 2019
How sad!
This is a touching true story. Worth reading. Thank God that war is over! One of the best war stories I have read.
This is a touching true story. Worth reading. Thank God that war is over! One of the best war stories I have read.
March 9, 2023
Shocking
I found the book intriguing and sometimes unbelievable. The ending was a good way to make it believable. A good read.
I found the book intriguing and sometimes unbelievable. The ending was a good way to make it believable. A good read.
May 17, 2011
Great read, very human.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews