The Baker's Secret: A Novel - Couverture rigide

Kiernan, Stephen P.

Couverture rigide

ISBN 10 : 1443453463 ISBN 13 : 9781443453462

Editeur : HarperCollins Publishers, 2017

A propos du livre

Quatrième de couverture :

From the multiple-award-winning, 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 Normandy village on the eve of D-Day.

Never Surrender . . .

On June 5, 1944, as a gray dawn rises over the small town of Vergers on the Norman coast of France, Emmanuelle is making 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, the village baker since before she was born. Apprenticed to Ezra at thirteen, Emma watched with shame and anger as her kind mentor was forced to wear the six-pointed yellow star on his clothing. She was likewise powerless to help when he was pulled from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers taken by the Nazis.

In the years during which 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 that she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, Emma has built a clandestine network of barter and exchange that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers. Like a gypsy, she makes her way around the village, moving among desperate inhabitants and arrogant occupiers as a deal-maker, an observer, and a keeper of secrets.

But her gift to the village is much more than a few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—by enabling them to care for one another, by being a model of dignity and defiance, and by helping the villagers survive should the Allies ever come.

As a brutal Nazi captain begins to uncover her network, and the intricately woven web of resistance and subterfuge starts to unravel, the people of Vergers find their bonds tested as never before. Ultimately Emma, facing potential execution, displays a courage and strength of will that shows them all a path to redemption.

Revue de presse :

Praise for The Baker’s Secret: “Transcends even a critical moment in history to suggest the inescapable human condition of ignorance of the future, and the absolute necessity of hope, courage, and unselfish sacrifice.” (Sena Naslund, author of Ahab’s Wife, Four Spirits, and The Fountain of St. James Court)

Praise for The Curiosity: “I absolutely loved The Curiosity. It’s as thought-provoking and powerful as Flowers for Algernon and the writing is breathtakingly beautiful. And that ending? Poignant, luminescent, and absolutely perfect.” (Chris Bohjalian, bestselling author of The Light in the Ruins and Midwives)

Praise for The Hummingbird: “The Hummingbird is a novel that shares its unexpected gifts and teaches us that surrender is a part of love, and that giving away our weapons is the first step to peace.” (Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun)

“This many-faceted, thought-provoking story prompts soul-searching about life, war, and death.” (Booklist)

“Remarkably touching, insightful and timely... bridges several powerful stories of life and death that explore the cost of courage and the true meaning of heroism... Illuminating, uplifting and ultimately redemptive.” (RT Book Reviews (4 1/2 stars))

“In this moving saga Stephen P. Kiernan tells the story of soldiers and survivors, heroes and healing. . . . I’m not sure I’ve ever read a novel that so poignantly depicts the brevity of life, the significance of each moment, the impact we have on one another.” (Mary Morris, author of The Jazz Palace)

“[The Curiosity] poses provocative questions about life and humanity.” (Entertainment Weekly)

An emotionally satisfying and brisk narrative . . . [T]his is a gripping novel with a clever conceit.” (Publishers Weekly)

“If you want your beach read to deliver some goose bumps, snag Stephen P. Kiernan’s The Curiosity. In this romantic thriller, a man who’s been buried in Arctic ice for over a century is reanimated, with shocking results.” (Good Housekeeping)

À propos de cette édition

• Éditeur: HarperCollins Publishers
• Date d'édition: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1443453463
• ISBN 13: 9781443453462
• Reliure: Relié
• Nombre de pages: 320