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Les Parisiennes

How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died in the 1940s
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( 1,878 ratings, 331 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Les Parisiennes by Anne Sebba examines the lives of a diverse group of women in Paris during and after World War II. The book delves into how these women navigated the complexities of occupation, survival, and collaboration, unraveling their personal stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience against the backdrop of a city at war. Thought-provoking and meticulously researched, it offers a compelling glimpse into an often-overlooked perspective of history.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

This book may appeal to you if you are intrigued by the resilience and courage of women throughout history, particularly those navigating life in Nazi-occupied Paris during World War II. It provides a compelling look into the lives of women from all walks of life, highlighting their roles and choices amidst the challenges of resistance, collaboration, and survival.

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For readers of Suite Francaise and Paris Echo, Les Parisiennes recounts the true stories of Parisian women during and after the Second World War.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description
WINNER OF THE FRANCO-BRITISH SOCIETY BOOK PRIZE 2016

June, 1940. German troops enter Paris and hoist the swastika over the Arc de Triomphe. The dark days of Occupation begin. How would you have survived? By collaborating with the Nazis, or risking the lives of you and your loved ones to resist?

The women of Paris faced this dilemma every day - whether choosing between rations and the black market, or travelling on the Metro, where a German soldier had priority for a seat. Between the extremes of defiance and collusion was a vast moral grey area which all Parisiennes had to navigate in order to survive.

Anne Sebba has sought out and interviewed scores of women, and brings us their unforgettable testimonies. Her fascinating cast includes both native Parisiennes and temporary residents: American women and Nazi wives; spies, mothers, mistresses, artists, fashion designers, and aristocrats. The result is an enthralling account of life during the Second World War and in the years of recovery and recrimination that followed the Liberation of Paris in 1944. It is a story of fear, deprivation, and secrets - and, as ever in the French capital, glamour and determination.

Les Parisiennes captures the complexity of these women's lives with depth and nuance, documenting their stories for future generations.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Les Parisiennes by Anne Sebba is a richly researched and elegantly written account that brings to life the complex roles of Parisian women during the German Occupation. The book has been praised for its detailed narratives that highlight the ambiguity and moral complexity these women faced, with their stories expertly woven into the broader historical context of 1940s Paris. Critics commend Sebba for giving a voice to those whose stories have been overlooked, capturing both the heroism and the harsh realities of the time.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781780226613

Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 08 June 2017

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Weidenfeld & Nicolson

Illustration: 3x8pp plate sections plus over 20 images on text paper

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 133.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 382g

Pages: 496

About the Author

Anne Sebba is a historian and one of Britain's most distinguished biographers who began her career as a Reuters correspondent based in London and Rome. She has written eleven works of non-fiction, mostly about iconic twentieth-century women, which have been translated into several languages including French, Polish, Czech, Japanese and Chinese. She makes regular television and radio appearances and has presented two BBC radio documentaries about musicians. She is the author of the international bestseller That Woman, an acclaimed biography of Wallis Simpson, Duchess of Windsor, and the prize-winning Les Parisiennes: How the Women of Paris Lived, Loved and Died Under Nazi Occupation. Her most recent book, Ethel Rosenberg: The Short Life and Great Betrayal of an American Wife and Mother, was shortlisted for the Wingate Prize. Anne is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research and trustee of the National Archives Trust. She lives in London.

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