What do readers think of Les Parisiennes by Anne Sebba? Write your own review.

So many men were sucked into the war machine, but the French women who were left behind fought bravely and intelligently in their own way. I learned a lot.

Regarding World War II literature I would say Anne Sebba's Les Parisiennes is to nonfiction as Kristin Hannah's Nightingale is to fiction; i.e. outstanding! The meticulously researched stories plunge you into another world and time, yet there are unsettling shadows of our current global unrest. I had to sift slowly through it, learning, reflecting and frankly, being totally amazed at the author's ability to compile this volume of women vs. war.

I found the book to be easy to read and follow the true stories of the women that lived and died during the occupation. The women did what they needed to do to care and feed themselves and loved ones. Some sided with the Germans and paid the price after the war but they survived a terrible time.

A look into the past that makes one think: What would I do ?

As a person born during WWII I've always been fascinated with the struggles that Germany perpetrated onto their foes. I've read many books about the Nazi overtaking of Paris and particularly enjoyed this book because I am a woman. This book centers on the choices the women of the time had to make in order to survive and it's fascinating.

I find it fascinating how brave women are when it comes to protecting their family.

This book creates a flowing narrative of what it was like to be a Parisian woman immediately prior to, during, and just after World War II. We learn of many individuals stories, how they coped, what they lost, and how the proceeded with life after war, or didn't. The author clearly did her research, and presented a cohesive view of Paris society in all its layers, and encouraged the reader to contemplate the difficult choices faced by so many in such dire circumstances surrounding the Nazi occupation. However, I was hoping for a little more of a concentrated focus on fewer participants in the events described. Rather we are treated to a long, sometimes disjointed-feeling list of individuals and their experiences, although she was able to tie these short stories to a larger subject at hand--for example the experience of Jewish concentration camp survivors returning to their Paris homes. Altogether it was a good read, and very educational. I feel I've been to Paris in the 1940's and learned much about the various choices people were forced to make for survival of self, family, and country.

I have read a lot- and am fascinated of course by any info on what was happening - especially in Paris - during WWII.
The writing and research is exceptional - but I found that too many names, not enough info, paragraphs on a story and not extensive info on that particular woman - made it a difficult read. Too many names, not enough follow through. I give the author a lot of credit though - her research is extensive and I am sure she spent years on research.

This is a book crammed with facts and stories and more facts. It was not a particularly easy read, as there were many people (real people) were mentioned for a few paragraphs with background information in between.
The perspective and detail was fascinating, a real glimpse into lives of the times and the difficult choices that had to made.
These stories give insight into the France that is today, versus the sound bites to which we have become accustomed.