A Remarkable Village
It was late 1940, a brutal period for France, when part of the country was under Nazi occupation and the remainder soon would be, when something miraculous happened. A tiny community in the mountains of southern France, led by the charismatic pastor André Trocmé and a small group of others – including his wife, Magda; his associate, Edouard Theis; and his cousin, Daniel Trocmé – began an effort that would eventually save more than 3,000 Jewish people, mostly children, from the Nazis.
It was miraculous because virtually the entire population of the town of Le Chambon- sur-Ligne and some surrounding villages – people of different faiths and backgrounds – joined joined in to help forge documents, provide shelter, guide those fleeing toward the border with Switzerland, and maintain the ruse that nothing amiss was happening. Remarkable, too, because Trocmé – who was committed to non-violence – spearheaded this courageous and non-violent way of participating deeply in the Resistance.
I came upon this story while traveling through southern France last year, and for days couldn’t think of much else. I was enthralled by this community, these leaders, and these brave villagers. I was inspired by their attributes and was inspired to write a novel about fictional characters similarly facing unimaginable danger and putting themselves at risk to save others. What does it take to refuse to stay silent and simply hope things will get better? Or hope someone else will take the reins and change things?
In the process, I created a cast of characters that are truly real to me: Celina, the American schoolteacher who finds herself in France at the height of the war when she’s approached to be part of a dangerous ruse; Rémy, the handsome and idealistic activist who aims to heal from a tortured past; Adèle, Rémy’s sister and confidante; Emile, Celina’s first love and the illustrator of a secret picture book and Red, the police officer whose suspicions are growing…
I am so proud of this book, and so glad that early readers and reviewers have connected with the story, with some saying it’s their favorite read so far this year. I hope you’ll read it, too! The book launched August 15th in paperback and ebook formats, and is available from your favorite bookseller!
