Suite Francaise

Last month, we had a wonderful meeting at Karine's home (Thank you, Karine!) discussing Irene Nemirovsky's Suite Francaise. Most everyone was touched by Nemirovsky's beautitifully written two-part novel focusing on the French people's reaction to the German invasion and subsequent occupation of France. We had a thoughtful discussion delving into many aspects of the book: the author's incredible talent in writing a rich, clear-eyed account while actually experiencing such a catastrophe; Nemirovsky's plan for Suite Francaise to be her own War and Peace epic and whether the two-part novel she completed before her arrest stands on its own. (I believe most of us agreed that it does); Nemirovsky's own heartbreaking story and the book's improbable and amazing publication.

The book rating: 3.8 (one of the highest our discerning group has ever bestowed)