I have three different places where I get audiobooks. I have two different online libraries that I don’t pay for and I have an Audible subscription. At one of the online libraries, I can check out a book immediately with no wait time if the library hasn’t gone over the lending limit. The other library is notorious for its incredibly long-long waitlists for any new release books. For that library, I periodically go on the waitlist and fill it then listen to the books as they become available. Sometimes the wait is 6 months long. UGH. But I’m a frugal girl and will wait.
The book was on that waitlist for a long time. It is a newer book by Pam Jenoff called Code Name Sapphire. I have read many other Pam Jenoff books and have enjoyed them all. I was hoping I would enjoy this one as well.
I did like the book. The ending was a little sad…but a little hopeful. It was as you likely guessed from the picture on the cover a WWII book time period work of fiction. WWII seems to be this author’s specialty. The story is told from several different perspectives which I find I like.
The story focuses on the resistance and the work they did saving airmen who were shot down in enemy territory.
Here is what Amazon had to say…
“1942. Hannah Martel narrowly escaped Nazi Germany after her fiancé was killed in a pogrom. When her ship bound for America is turned away at the port, she has nowhere to go but to her cousin Lily, who lives with her family in Brussels. Fearful for her life, Hannah is desperate to get out of occupied Europe. But with no safe way to leave, she must return to the dangerous underground work she thought she had left behind.
Seeking help, Hannah joins the Sapphire Line, a secret resistance network led by a mysterious woman named Micheline and her enigmatic brother Matteo. But when a grave mistake causes Lily’s family to be arrested and slated for deportation to Auschwitz, Hannah finds herself torn between her loyalties. How much is Hannah willing to sacrifice to save the people she loves? Inspired by incredible true stories of courage and sacrifice, Code Name Sapphire is a powerful novel about love, family, and the unshakable resilience of women in even the hardest of times.”
Amazon readers give the book 4.2 starts. I think I would agree. I don’t think I would give too much away to tell you that in the end there is a betrayal of the resistance network. I was surprised at the person who was the betrayer…and was surprised how the story went on and the person didn’t seem to have regretted it as much as thought they should have…It was a little of a hurry up ending. Not bad but enough so that I didn’t give the book more stars.
If you are interested in this book you can find it HERE. You can find other Pan Jenoff books HERE. I have read many of her books and have enjoyed all of them.
Pam Jenoff did an author event at one of my local bookstores shortly after the release of this book. Her early career in the state department in Poland shaped her work in WWII historical fiction, listening to her talk about that aspect of her life and how it shapes her work was so rewarding.
I know how much you enjoy WW ll books and stories. I recently watched “A Small Light” on TV. It is a different take on the Anne Frank story and was excellent. It was sort of a mini series with 6-7 episodes only. I DVR’d it and have re-watched it several times.
I read this book a month or two ago. Like you, I was shocked at the betrayer and sad as well. It was good, but not the best I’ve read about that subject/time period. I do not think I’d have had the strength or cleverness to survive during those days. I am currently reading the Golden Doves, which takes place in early 50’s during the hunt for the Nazis that escaped to Argentina, etc. Hugs,
I just finished a book I’m certain you would love. It is called The Four Winds, written by Kristen Hannah, who is becoming one of my favorite writers. It is all about a family’s struggles during the height of the Depression. It is one of the best books I have ever read, and, since I was born in 1937 my mother told me some of the things about those years, and it was awful. How people managed to even feed themselves is mind-boggling. I know you would have trouble putting this book down.
Hi Janice…I did love that book. SO GOOD!!