Customer Reviews
Such a change from the normal war stories - By: Jane Belcher, 28 Mar 2008 
This story follows two lovers through the trials of livingin occupied Belgium. Shreve takes you to Belgium & leads you into the terrifying world of WWII. It is heartrenching story & I cried at the sad tale. But don't let that put you off, it made for compelling reading - it made such a change from all the other WWII stories of battles & male heroics. This book shows a different side to the War & having studied WWII for years at school & college it gave a different perspective. But i only thought about that once I had finished the book & left Shreve's Belgium.
A wonderful read - By: Mrs. D. Miles, 24 Nov 2006 I adored this book & couldn't wait to find the time to read each chapter. It is a rather different genre for Anita Shreve, but her gentle, straightforward style of writing remains to the credit of this book. It is the story of the Resistancein Belgium & of Ted, an American pilot whose plane has crashed & who is rescued by the child of a Nazi collaborator. He is hidden & nursed back to health by Clare Dussois, the wife of Henri, a Resistance member. Although Clare has nursed many others & helped them to escape, something special develops between herself & Ted, amidst the Nazi atrocities being carried out around them. Clare livesin constant fear of being discovered by the Germans or of being betrayed by others & the tension is very apparent. There are many horrific facts written within this story but, running through it, is a gentle love story & this makes this book much more than a testament to those brave people who risked their lives to save others. I reflected upon events & what the alternatives may have been, long after I had finished this wonderful book.
Interesting historically, but weak on the story. - By: , 16 Jul 2005 
I enjoyed reading this book, but less for the story than the historical context that was given. The vivid depiction of life as a resistance fighter was quite overwhelming to read, & it became possible to relate to the thoughts & feelings of the charactersin that situation. Unfortunately, the novel took the direction of a love story, which was adequate. I'm not sure if it was intended as a vehicle for the rest of the story, perhaps a general centralized point for the rest of the narrative to branch off from.
Despite the limits of the actually story I found the book a fascinating read, & worthwhile.
A rather flat love story. - By: Christine L, 19 Sep 2002 Even though it's one of my favourite periods of history to read about, I found this book strangely uninspiring. The historical facts are interesting & chilling, but the love story felt strangely banal. In a lot of ways this book would have been more interesting without the love story, which feels weird to say since the love story is the deeper story of resistancein this book.
On the positive side it was quite difficult to guess the outcome & you were left wondering about many things right until the last chapter.
I think this is the kind of book that you take with you when you travel, or that you keep by your bedside when you don't have time to devote yourself completely to a story. I found that I enjoyed it while reading it, but I didn't miss it when I didn't.
Gripping love story set in Belgium in the Second World War. - By: , 17 Mar 2000 
I really enjoyed this book & read itin one sitting! It's setin World War IIin occupied Belgium & is the story of downed fighter pilot, Ted Brice, & his relationship with Resistance member, Claire Dussois.
The writer really makes you imagine how terrifying life must have been for peoplein an occupied country & the fear that they lived under on a daily basis.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good story & I have to say that the ending, whilst fairly unexpected, is satisfying although a bit on the sad side! Excellent stuff!
