A Sound Like Thunder

The Guernsey Saga #1

by Diana Bachmann

Guernsey, 1940.

War is raging across the rest of Europe, but the people of idyllic Guernsey are going about their daily lives. Even with the Third Reich steadily increasing in power, the island continues as normal, blissfully unaffected by Nazi expansion.

Sarah and Greg and their young daughter, Suzanne, are the perfect family, spending their days playing tennis together and enjoying picnics on the beach. But when the evil spreading across the continent finally - and unexpectedly - reaches the Channel Islands, their lives implode before their eyes.

With their beloved island about to be occupied by German forces, it is arranged for Suzanne to be evacuated to England and the family is torn apart. Life is almost unbearable for Sarah and Greg without their only child, and it only worsens as food becomes scarce and crime rates soar. Forced to watch the home they'd loved disintegrate, how much longer can they survive?

The first in Diana Bachmann's compelling Guernsey Saga series, A Sound Like Thunder is an evocative, poignant story of adversity, family, and survival. If you liked The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, you'll love this moving series!

Diana Bachmann was born in Guernsey in 1950. She has three children and six grandchildren, plus a large family of stepchildren and step-grandchildren. Having lived in the Bahamas and Spain with her second husband, bestselling author Christopher Nicole, she has since returned to Guernsey. Inspired by her own experiences as a child evacuee during the Nazi occupation of the island, she authored the popular Guernsey Saga series.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Fiction

296 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 28, 1996

About the author

Diana Mary Bachmann married with the also writer Christopher Nicole on 8 May 1982. They live in Guernsey, Channel Islands, UK, where she have located many of her books. The marriage also collabored under the pseudonym Max Marlow.

Reviews

[Sandy McKenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this story set in Guernsey prior to and during WW2. So well written and researched, it tells of the hardships the locals had to endure during the war. How so many survived this horrendous time, I don't know. Looking forward to the next in this fabulous series.

[Voirrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short comment no reflection on book, but on wonky keyboard!

Very readable and, I think, realistic view of life on Guernsey before and after WW2.

[Linda Croyt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. My only complaint was trying to remember who all the characters are. There are so many and if I'd put the book down for a day or so and pick it up again I'd forget who was who. Also wishing they'd gone into a little more detail about the war in Guernsey. That being said, I liked the book. Not sure I will continue the series though.

[Michele Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book and have already started on the next in the he series. I live in Guernsey and have read many other books set here which leave me annoyed by their inaccuracies or invented places but this is spot on!
Well researched and faithful to the history of the occupation.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

This story was so overpopulated with characters that none developed a real personality. The whole thing was written in micro-vignettes, skipping and hopping from one couple to the next. Very superficial and boring.

[Nancy Hoell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Great story of a lessor known part of WWII. Interesting characters, but the span of time covered .makes it difficult for full development of any one I individual.

[Rebecca C Friedman · Rating 4 out of 5]

A joy

Wonderful colorful characters set in the gorgeous Channel Islands. Interesting family dynamics brings you right in with them, feeling their joys and sorrows. Enjoyed it.

[Charla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting. Looking forward to the next book.

[Jean]

Very disappointing Thought I would get more of a feel of war in the Channel Islands, but details were just brushed over and I thought the book ended abruptly

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was the first book of three in the Guernsey Saga. It was an enjoyable read. Looking forward to the second book.

[Suzy Barile · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out strong, but suddenly months and years become paragraphs …. Won’t read the next two.

[Brenda Skerratt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant
Absolutely love reading about Guernsey, especially during the war. Great story really brings it home.

[Fiz · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5-3 stars

[Amy DeWolfe · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked that it seemed pretty historically accurate, but there were waaaay too many characters and it was hard to keep track of everybody. Also, I didn't like all the cheating that was going on.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

such a well written book , cant wait to start next one