DIARY OF A FRENCH GIRL

A coming-of-age memoir set in World War II-era France.

Zéphanie grows up in an uncaring family, surrounded by the petty cruelties of poverty, illness, alcoholism and city life. As a young child, she is shuffled among country homes, militaristic camps and boarding schools, and develops a strong moral compass and an unending compassion for the suffering and downtrodden. When WWII breaks out, she manages not just to survive but to nurture her “inner voice,” a mix of religious understanding and almost supernatural premonition. From the death of her father to joining the French resistance against the Nazis to time spent in the French Air Force, Zéphanie longs for love and looks for the good in everyone. Her prose, while often clunky and overly lush, nevertheless richly invokes the physicality of the time and place. Her insistence on referring to herself in the third person can feel ponderous, especially when compounded with her tendency toward high-minded musings and an overuse of phrases such as “Silent Heroes.” Her insistence on the precociousness and goodness of her young self, while creating a bond between her and the reader, can be a turn-off, especially when most of her goodness is not so much exceptional as it is remaining human in circumstances where others lose their humanity. Despite all this, Zéphanie’s earnest recounting of her life and deep engagement with morality make her a compelling and sympathetic character. She examines family life in depth, shedding light on the difficulties both neglected children and overworked parents faced during the time. Her fearlessness in speaking up for what’s right, whether against the arrogance of American troops in Paris or the callousness of nuns who mistreat her despite their Christian beliefs, is an inspiring reminder of all the ways in which people can stand up against injustice. The first of a two-part autobiography, Zéphanie’s story paints a thoughtful picture of a young girl coming into her own humanity.

Readers who can overlook Zéphanie’s self-indulgent prose will be stirred by her courage and intentionality.