Resistance : Stories from World War II France

by Edith Thomas, Michelle Chilcoat (Translator), Lori Marso (Introduction)

Based on real events of the French Resistance during World War II, Édith Thomas's stories explore how ordinary people respond to the extraordinary conditions of political occupation. The stories, first published under the title Contes d'Auxois (Auxois Stories) by an underground press in 1943, were written to oppose Vichy-Nazi propaganda and to offer encouragement to civilians who felt resigned to defeat.

Whether lining up to wait for food, tuning in to a forbidden radio broadcast, adapting to living side by side with German soldiers, or preparing for an act of sabotage, the characters in these stories must make choices in highly compromised circumstances on a daily basis. As the characters confront their own suffering and that of others, their actions inspire readers to consider the nature of heroism, the idea that people can share a common humanity with their enemies, and the possibility for individuals to find solidarity in an overwhelming, isolating world.

100 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1943

Reviews

[Lori Sinsel Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

After you get past the extremely lengthy introduction and forward explaining who Edith Thomas was and what she did during France's occupation by Nazis, you finally arrive at the meat, or substance if you will, of the book.
These are short, crisp, subtle stories about eveyday people in France during the Nazi occupation, going through everyday tasks, but throwing in their own forms of resistance.
These stories, most of which the acts of resistance are written into them very subtly were a call to all French citizens to take control, to not give in to the occupation, to resist.
It goes without saying that if Edith Thomas had been caught writing these she would have been arrested or worse. She was finally recognized and awarded for her bravery and resistanceduring the war.
This is a quick little insight into the very real experiences during the occupation. Anyone interested in WWII, resistance fighters, occupied France, will enjoy the short look back at everyday resistance.
Thank you to the publisher and to Edelweiss for the free ARC, I am leaving my honest review in return.

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slim collection of fascinating, brief stories of resistance against Nazi fascism in Occupied France. Propaganda, yes, but artistically skilled and on the right side of history. Michelle Chilcoat's translations are clear and vivid. If only there was more fiction by Thomas to be found!