Happy Wednesday! Today I have a review for upcoming Harper publication, News of Our Loved Ones, a beautifully told story of family across two generations.
My Thoughts:
I’ve read a few books recently about the small decisions that can shape a family’s life for generations to come. In addition to that, there are major life events that can do the same thing, and such is the story with News of Our Loved Ones.
The Delasalle family lives a meager existence in a Nazi-occupied village in Normandy, France, when in 1944, it is rumored that the Allies will invade. Their home is in the direct path of the Allied bombers. While one teenage sister, Yvonne, is in Normandy in the family home for D-Day, the other, Genevieve, is in Paris auditioning for the National Conservatory.
Several years later, Genevieve is living in the United States and married to an American musician. She travels home with her children to keep their French ancestry alive. Genevieve’s daughter, Polly, believes that understanding the war will in turn help her understand her mother.
News of Our Loved Ones is a gorgeously written novel about war, family, and strength, and also how grief, loss, and trauma can impact a family for generations. The characters are steadfast, vivid, and remarkably drawn, and the emotional layers are deeply resonant. Moreover, the storyline was riveting. In a mere 240 pages, Abigail DeWitt paints a stunning picture with an intricate and powerful story of family.
Thank you to the most generous Harper Books for the complimentary ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Set in France and America, News of Our Loved Ones is a haunting and intimate examination of love and loss, beauty and the cost of survival, witnessed through two generations of one French family, whose lives are all touched by the tragic events surrounding the D-Day bombings in Normandy.
What if your family’s fate could be traced back to one indelible summer?
Over four long years, the Delasalle family has struggled to live in their Nazi occupied village in Normandy. Maman, Oncle Henri, Yvonne, and Françoise silently watched as their Jewish neighbors were arrested or wordlessly disappeared. Now in June 1944, when the sirens wail each day, warning of approaching bombers, the family wonders if rumors of the coming Allied invasion are true—and if they will survive to see their country liberated.
For sixteen-year-old Yvonne, thoughts of the war recede when she sees the red-haired boy bicycle past her window each afternoon. Murmuring to herself I love you, I love you, I love you, she wills herself to hear the whisper of his bicycle tires over the screech of Allied bombs falling from the sky.
Yvonne’s sister, Geneviève, is in Paris to audition for the National Conservatory. Pausing to consider the shadow of a passing cloud as she raises her bow, she does not know that her family’s home in Normandy lies in the path of British and American bombers. While Geneviève plays, her brother Simon and Tante Chouchotte, anxiously await news from their loved ones in Normandy.
Decades later, Geneviève, the wife of an American musician, lives in the United States. Each summer she returns to her homeland with her children, so that they may know their French family. Geneviève’s youngest daughter, Polly, becomes obsessed with the stories she hears about the war, believing they are the key to understanding her mother and the conflicting cultures shaping her life.
Moving back and forth in time, told from varying points of view, News of Our Loved Ones explores the way family histories are shared and illuminates the power of storytelling to understand the past and who we are.
Have you read News of Our Loved Ones, or is it on your shelf? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
This sounds like another must read Jennifer. It is now on my tbr list 🌼
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It was a beautifully-told story, Brigid. I hope you enjoy it too. 🌸
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Wonderful review Jennifer. I want to read this one. Happy Wednesday. 🍁📚🌺💕
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Thank you, Virginia! I think you’d love this one! Totally your cup of tea! 💗 Happy Wednesday to you!
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Lovely review, Jennifer! I’m particularly interested in stories about the French during the WWII era. This looks like a good one.
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Thanks, Jonetta! Me, too- it’s nice to have a different perspective on the war, especially with the occupation there. I was really impressed with this book!
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This sounds as though it’s both lovely and sad.
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It was definitely both, Patty, but the overall feel was more on the uplifting side. ♥️
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Good!
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I’ll have to add this to my TBR. Lovely review! ❤
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Thanks, Stephanie! I think you’d love this one! It has all the right ingredients and is executed brilliantly! 💕
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I know I’ll love it! WWII books are some of my favorites. 💖
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This sounds beautiful! Love your review, Jennifer! 💕
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Thanks, Mack! I loved it! ♥️
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Awesome review Jen! I want to read it right now!💕💕
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Thank you, Sus! I think you’d enjoy it! 💗 Hope you’ve had a great day today!
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This sounds fabulous! What a great review. 🙂
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Thank you, Chrissi! I was really pleased with this story!
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Wonderful review! Looks like a very interesting book!💛
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Thanks, Berit! It kept me captivated! 💗
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Beautiful review Jennifer! This sounds like something I would really enjoy.
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Thanks, Lindsay! I happen to think you would love this book, and I was hoping you’d see this review! I almost put up a neon sign saying, “Lindsay, make sure to read this one!” 😂 I’m being silly, but really, this is totally your kind of read. ♥️ xo
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😂🤣😂
That’s awesome Jennifer! Sounds like I’ve got to get my hands on a copy of this ASAP! 💕🌸💜
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Yes, if it helps, I reviewed a few days earlier than pub, and it’s from Harper on EW. They are usually quick and generous! ♥️ xo
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This one sounds wonderful, Jenni! Great review! ❤
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Hey Sarah! Thank you! I adored this book! 💗
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This sounds fantastic! Your reviews always add to my tumbling TBR!
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Sorry, Reeca! 😂 This book is so, so good! ♥️
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Great review, Jen. You always find the most interesting reads. This sounds like an emotional story because of the themes. I am intrigued by the fact that the story covers generations.
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Thanks, Diana! I am all over the place genre-wise, so that definitely keeps it interesting. I love multi-generational stories, too. The themes are definitely emotional, and the author has such a beautiful writing style.
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It is definitely on my shelf being well accompanied by about a thousand others. 🙂 Wonderful review, Jennifer… and I am glad that you are safe after Florence.
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Thanks, Marialyce! I’m glad you are safe, too. Also happy this is already on your shelf! You have a lovely read ahead! ♥️
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Well, this doesn’t sounds like it’s quite for me. But, I do love superbly drawn characters!! 💖💖
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Me, too, Nicole. I totally understand – and so many books! 💗
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Amazing review Jen. As you might have suspected I am definitely interested in this!! 😂
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Thanks, Beth! I was hoping you would say that, and I had a strong feeling about it! 😂 ♥️
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