Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
By Kirsty Manning, Allen & Unwin, $32.99.
When a good formula works, stick to it. At least, that’s the case for this historical fiction that shines through at its best. This is a story of female friendship, longing and sacrifice, through war and loss, which seamlessly fuses fact with fiction for impressive storytelling.
It is inspired by the true story of iconic French Resistance fighter, Agnès Humbert, and will captivate from start to the remarkable finish. It was a secret journal that shed light on a little-known aspect of World War II.
The storyline – Fresnes Prison, 1940: Margot Bisset, a former maid from the Riviera, finds herself in a prison cell with writer and French Resistance fighter, Josephine Murant. Together, they are transferred to a work camp in Germany, where the secrets they share will bind them for generations to come.
Present-day Paris: Evie Black lives above her botanical bookshop with her teenage son, Hugo. Nursing a broken heart, she receives an unexpected letter, clutching at an opportunity to spend a magical summer with him on the Cote d’Azur.
Unravelling a decades-old mystery, and Evie’s connection, hold your attention. Manning’s polished narrative holds your interest, with credible characters and a sense of belonging in the place and time.
We have two copies of The French Gift to give away for Mother’s Day. Just tell us the destination where Evie and Hugo are going to spend a magical summer? Entries should be sent to [email protected] by Monday, 19 April 2021. Names of the winners will be announced in Frank Cassidy’s PS-sssst…! column on
20 April 2021.
