The Baker's Secret
By Stephen P. Kiernan
- Release Date: 2017-05-02
- Genre: Historical Fiction
Description
A tale beautifully, wisely, and masterfully told.” — Paula McLain, author of The Paris Wife and Circling the Sun
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.
On June 5, 1944, as dawn rises over a small town on the Normandy 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 they pulled Ezra from his shop at gunpoint, the first of many villagers stolen away and never seen again.
In the years that 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 she shares with the hungry villagers. Under the cold, watchful eyes of armed soldiers, she builds a clandestine network of barter and trade that she and the villagers use to thwart their occupiers.
But her gift to the village is more than these few crusty loaves. Emma gives the people a taste of hope—the faith that one day the Allies will arrive to save them.
Reviews
Awesome
5By BrewCapeKatAfter reading many WWII books, the Bakers Secret is one of the best. Could not wait to see each of the characters unfold and take their place in a story of horrific destruction of humanity. Highly recommendKiernan’s Best
5By Medium-Sized-ReaderCan’t wait for his next book!The baker’s secret
5By texanrose7Truly touching and life changing. Would I be able to meet the challenges of history in my own life.One of the best books I have read
5By JanetsteinerFabulous book.The Baker's Secret
5By PushpushStableI felt the hunger and fear. I knew the hate and yearned for revenge. The lives of each character had a story I needed to learn. A wonderfully written book I wish I'd read before visiting Normandy.Fantastic
5By H SmilesThe heroes and villains of WWII loom large in this rich and powerful telling of survival. It makes the horror of German occupation in France and the joy of its liberation by our own brave "boys" deeply personal. It reminds us of our incredible fortune to be living in the time and place that we do. And that it comes at a heartbreaking cost.