"A provocative yet compassionate and thoughtful story about the friendship between two Belgian girls who flee the invading Nazi army in 1940."
A thoughtful, stirring, and compassionate historical novel set during World War Two. Simone, the daughter of a Belgian First World War hero is best friends with Hava from a devout Jewish family, together they flee the advancing Nazi army in 1940. Inspired by the experiences of the author’s family members in Belgium, this is essentially a tale of what should be an uncomplicated friendship sitting within one of the most complex and horrifying times in world history. Author Christopher de Vinck introduced the reasons behind this book before Simone’s prologue slammed into my contemplations. Each chapter epigraph includes excerpts and memories that really do spread chills. It is interesting to note that those unattributed are from the author’s grandfather who was awarded the Croix de Guerre for bravery and was in the Belgian Resistance before being captured. Christopher de Vinck brings the girls to vibrant life by noting the small things that make each of us unique. He doesn’t sit in judgement, he releases the horror and emotion of the full story, with lost innocence spearing awareness and encouraging my own thoughts to form. Ashes (what a penetrating title that is), is a provocative read and yet also full of love.
| Primary Genre | Historical Fiction |
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A story of friendship, loyalty and the horrors of war.
Ashes is a story of loyalty, friendship and the horrors of war.
Christian Simone and Jewish Hava are more like sisters than friends and share their interests with one another in pre-war Brussels. Hollywood, Clark Gable, Romeo and Juliet, Gone with the Wind are just some of their teenage passions and beautiful, extrovert Hava encourages quiet Simone to enjoy life.
However, their lives are shattered when Hitler’s troops invade Belgium and both end up separated from their loved ones. The short chapters in the book include ‘sound bites’ from history as we follow their increasingly desperate plight as they try to outrun German troops.... Read Full Review
Ashes by Christoper De Vinck is following the trend to read about all things from world War Two but is told from a different perspective. An interesting read and should do well.
A novel based on Belgian refugees trying to evacuate and escape the Nazi invasion of 1940 and is centred on two young girls, Simone and Hava, who is Jewish. The harrowing descriptions of their attempts to escape seem very real. The author has researched in detail what it must have been like. Each chapter begins with either a fact or quote from the wartime era, fitting to that particular piece of writing. The chapters are quite short and the book is divided into six parts, making it easy for the reader to understand each section of the girls' lives.... Read Full Review
A beautiful, emotional telling of two young women's journey to escape the Nazi invasion.
Simone & Hava, the General's daughter and a Jewish girl are best friends from different backgrounds. They dream of Hollywood, but the Nazi invasion shatters their dreams.
A beautifully told adaption of the author's Grandfather's story.... Read Full Review
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