A friend gave me Suite Francaise for Christmas; it was one of the best gifts I could have gotten. I had not heard of the book, despite its rave reviews. As I’m in the process of revising a novella, I was especially interested in reading Nemirovsky’s two novellas, discovered in the 1990s by her daughter. Imagine. Nemirovsky wrote these novellas while the events she describes were happening. Are there flaws in the novellas? Probably. Do they bother me? Not a whit. I’m so impressed with the unique spirit that she engenders in each of her characters that any flaws in the piece are erased. Too, the fact that she did not have the opportunity to revise any more before her death makes the works even more impressive.
There is an immediacy in both of the novellas that makes the fiction blur. The first, "Storm in June" has a lengthy cast of characters, but at no point did I confuse them. This is not a piece in which, by the end, we’ve seen every character affect another one from a different walk of life, but rather, Nemirovsky creates a vivid and frightening setting and peoples it with rounded characters to give the reader a true understanding of those early days of occupation. In the second novella, "Dolce," the author settles in with some of the characters from "Storm in June" and shows us their reaction when their village is occupied by the Germans. Again, she presents a variety of characters; again, her characters are allowed to behave as they will. Not once as I read either novella did I feel that the author was heavy handed. The control Nemirovsky has is subtle, yet always present.
After regretting the speed with which I had read the book, I entered L-time (did I get the term right, Blog-Free Kim?). I wandered about the stacks of my town library, not sure what I wanted. There it was: Fire in the Blood, another Nemirovsky novel. I won’t say too much as the story is exquisite, and a spoiler from me would be cruel. Again, the characters are rich, and again, the writer exhibits beautiful control and pacing. This is a book that I will have to buy; I want to keep it near me as I write. Nemirovsky accomplishes all that I strive for in my writing. Her understanding of human behavior translates into a captivating plot.
Let me know what you think if you read (or have read) these. Mona, I know you’d love them. Lizzie, what about you? Nora, may I suggest them for future book club material?
As an aside to the writers who read my blog, one of the treats in the end material of Suite Francaise is a description of Nemirovsky’s writing progress, including heartbreaking copies of her hand written manuscript. I say heartbreaking because, of course, there was a shortage of everything at the time she was writing. Imagine knowing that your paper supply was limited? Imagine fearing that your lifespan was nearly over? Truly, Nemirovsky has become one of my writing heroes, one whom, when I finish my degree, I plan to apprentice by reading everything by her and studying how she achieves her graceful, powerful stories.
This entry is a part of my 101 in 1001, item #19. I’m a bit behind, but at least two reviews helps me to catch up a smidge.
I haven’t read this book yet, but I’ll pick it up today when I go shopping with my mom.
I have this week off, so I’ll try to read it as quickly as possible.
I loved that book – I honestly didn’t want to finish it because I enjoyed reading it so much. I’m not a writer, but the material at the end about her writing process was definitely worth reading.
I will add it to my list!
I believe it is the term L space that Pratchett uses to describe the strange time/space warp encountered in libraries…any other Pratchett fans out there to corroborate?
I’m going to have to read these books. I’ve heard very good things, and your endorsement is the final push!
It’s on my wish list! I’ve got a dozen or so books in my “to read” pile, but I’ll go looking for these soon. I have a feeling I may have a new author!