The Baker's Secret
Ratings12
Average rating3.5
From the critically acclaimed author of The Hummingbird and The Curiosity comes a dazzling novel of World War II—a shimmering tale of courage, determination, optimism and the resilience of the human spirit, set in a small village in Normandy on the eve of D-Day On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on France’s Normandy coast, Emmanuelle is baking the bread that has sustained her fellow villagers in the dark days since the Germans invaded her country. Only twenty-two, Emma learned to bake at the side of a master, Ezra Kuchen. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was powerless to help when Ezra was pulled from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again. In the years that her sleepy coastal village has suffered under the enemy, Emma has silently, stealthily fought back. Each day, she receives an extra ration of flour to bake a dozen baguettes for the occupying troops. And each day, she mixes that precious flour with ground straw to create enough dough for two extra loaves—contraband bread she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers. But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them. Stephen P. Kiernan paints a brilliant and vivid tableau of humanity during one of the most harrowing points of modern history.
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I was disappointed in The Baker's Secret. It had all the qualities of a terrific novel, but it fell short. The character development was lacking and I found much of the story was not as riveting as I felt it could be. Without giving anything away, let me just say that I feel there are better WWII stories out there and although this one was interesting in parts it was certainly not my favourite.
In occupied France a small village on the coast struggles to survive the brutality and starvation that comes with the German soldiers. Although it's primarily centred around Emma, a genius baker, who creates a network of hidden trade to help her neighbours survive, it also has moments following the stories of the many different inhabitants.
It's a candour is heart wrenching as the sorrow dealt to these poor souls is held not lightly but with defeat. Where even “love” can turn on you.
It leads up to the D-Day invasion right in time for a truly defeated village. Our heroine has refused the resistance right up till the moment, but is in the best position to help the forces as soon as they arrive due to her wit and courage.
This book reminded me of a song. The wording is magical and the entire book plays out like a dance. Granted a very sad dance where the weariness can be felt by the end.
I didn't think I would ever be able to describe a story set in WW2 occupied France as CUTE, but this is it. Emma (Emmanuel) wages her own style of resistance against the occupying German army. This involves baking bread, stealing fuel and distributing supplies amongst the villagers, all behind the German's backs. Obviously there are some grim moments but generally a really good uplifting story.
