Review: While Paris Slept

Synopsis:

One woman must make the hardest decision of her life in this unforgettably moving story of resistance and faith during one of the darkest times in history.

Santa Cruz, 1953. Jean-Luc is a man on the run from his past. The scar on his face is a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi occupation in France. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door.

Paris, 1944. A young Jewish woman’s past is torn apart in a heartbeat. Herded onto a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope.

On a darkened platform, two destinies become intertwined, and the choices each person makes will change the future in ways neither could have imagined.

Told from alternating perspectives, While Paris Slept reflects on the power of love, resilience, and courage when all seems lost. Exploring the strength of family ties, and what it really means to love someone unconditionally, this debut novel will capture your heart.

Rating: 5-stars

Review:

While Paris Slept by Ruth Druart is a heartbreaking yet realistic tale of the horror that those went during the Holocaust. Nazis invaded countries once thought to be safe for Jews. Jews were herded like cattle and taken to Auschwitz. The whole book was sad. It was like I was experiencing everything first hand instead of through pages of a book. Ruth Druart writes well. This is the first book of hers that I have read. I am glad that I did. As a huge fan of historical fiction that was my favorite. A mother torn between what to do and given little choice in the matter. The pain, suffering, and danger were present on every page. The point of views slowed the pacing down just a bit but otherwise, they were fine. I enjoyed getting their views on what happened. Overall, While Paris Slept is a must read for all fans of WWII fiction. It engaged me from the beginning. I had to know everything that happened to these characters and what the end results were.