The Children of Freedom [Paperback]

Marc Levy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 6, 2009

A remarkable story of struggle and survival in World War II by France's No. 1 bestselling novelistEarly in 1942, two young brothers join a Resistance group. All the members of the group are young, most of their families came from elsewhere in Europe or North Africa and all of them are passionately committed to the freedom of France and Europe. They find they are not welcomed by other French groups and thus Brigade 35 is formed. For most of them, their growing up, their falling in love, their sense of friendship and family are formed by their time with the group, and between moments of extreme danger and fear, a lifestyle of a kind of normality develops.But tragedy follows when the brothers are arrested, a number of members of the Brigade 35 are killed and a traitor is suspected. The tensions between former comrades and other Resistance fighters mounts and all this against the desperate hope that the invasion by the allies is really drawing near and will rescue them all.

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for ‘Children of Freedom’‘The latest international publishing sensation’The Guardian‘A moving tale of courage and the overwhelming instinct for survival.’Le Monde‘Marc Levy’s global success demonstrates his universal appeal’Paris Match‘The reader can’t help but be moved by this book’Elle --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 371 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Canada (April 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1554683033
• ISBN-13: 978-1554683031
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,156,219 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Compelling but oddly chilly, May 1, 2010

By 

S. Chiger (New York, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Children of Freedom (Paperback)

Based on the World War II experiences of the author's father and uncle, Children of Freedom is a riveting testament to the bravery of the young resistance fighters in France. The missions that they undertake almost defy belief--but then again, so do many of the horrors of the Nazi era. The final section of the book is particularly horrific and gripping. But the overall tone is curiously distancing, so that the appeal is more to the intellect than to the emotions. Some of this may be due to the English translation, which is a bit clumsy in places. On the whole, though, the book is a worthy ode to the heroes it depicts.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great story telling -- uneven translation, September 25, 2010

By 

RonAnnArbor (Ann Arbor, MI United States) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Children of Freedom (Paperback)

I read Children of Freedom first in French several years ago, and reread it when it became available in English when purchased in London. Curiously it took an extra year to get to the US. I love this book, and have given copies as gifts to many of the adults in my life.

It is marketed wrong. From the cover and the blurbs, it makes it sound like it is a romance set against the French Resistance. In reality, it's a fictionalized account of a band of resistance fighters where there is little romance to be found amongst the danger and death. But what it does tell is a gripping story of youth joining together to resist the Nazi Occupation and Vichy government in France. The final sequence is particularly harrowing, and the tone of the novel completely changes.

The cover of the book really should have a drawing of a Holocaust transport boxcar, with military aircraft flying above in the clouds. Read the book, you will see what I mean.

One word of caution -- Marc Levy is one of the most popular, if not THE most popular writer in France. His prose is light, filled with double entendres, and feels very "real". This translation is not good. Words and meanings are not translated well, and characters call each other by pet names that would never be used in France. As a result, it feels less "real" in English. If you can, read the French novel "Les enfants de la liberté"....But if not, don't hesitate to read Children of Freedom. You won't be able to put it down.