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While Paris Slept

"A highly recommended seal of approval for this powerfully beautiful and emotional story set during and after the Second World War."

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LoveReading Says

LoveReading Says

A truly beautiful and powerful debut, it is haunted with exquisite emotion, but that emotion comes with an uplifting feeling of hope. Towards the end of the Second World War two people meet on a platform next to a train bound for Auschwitz, the exchange that takes place between them will have a bearing on their lives forever more. I entered this novel thinking I knew what to expect, I left having experienced an entirely unexpected read. Set in several time frames, While Paris Slept opens a sequence of doors as new aspects of the story emerge and converge. Each chapter is headed by one of the characters. Ruth Druart uses different points of view to great effect, ensuring each chapter took hold of my thoughts and retained my focus. I invested in each of the characters, the empathy on display here left the page and entered my heart. I would describe this as a positively emotional read, yes it features man’s inhumanity to man, but the intimacy of this particular story lies in a different direction. While Paris Slept is an intriguing, compelling story full of love and hope. It enters our LoveReading Star Books and comes with a highly recommended seal of approval. 

Liz Robinson

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Reader Reviews

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A story exploring how brutality cannot crush courage, love and humanity. A real page turner that will pull at your heart strings.

This book was exceptional from start to finish. It mainly follows Jean-Luc, a French railroad worker and Charlotte, a French girl who ends up helping in a German hospital during the war. Their paths cross and they fall in love but this is very different to your typical love story. The two overcome huge barriers and show such strength, determination and courage that you are left willing them to achieve their goal. Without spoilers, their journey leads to a life being saved and their bond strengthened but their future is uncertain as the past threatens to catch up with them.

Alongside their story is another of love, a French Jewish couple who are captured and taken to Auschwitz. A decision made means they have a passion to survive but is that enough?... Read Full Review

Cat Hogwood

While Paris Slept originates in Paris during the Second World War, moving on to both Paris and California in the 1950s. It is a harrowing and extremely moving tale of the horrors of war and the strength of parental love.

While Paris Slept is the debut novel by Ruth Druart. The story originates in Paris during the Second World War, moving on to both Paris and California in the 1950s. It is a harrowing and extremely moving tale of the horrors of war and the strength of parental love.

In 1944, facing immediate deportation from Paris, Sarah is forced to make a heartbreaking, split second, decision, which will have lasting repercussions for her family and another young Parisian couple. A railway worker has only a moment to take an action which will change the course of his life.

In 1953, an unexpected knock on the door early one morning is a cause for alarm for Jean-Luc and Charlotte in California.... Read Full Review

Alison Burns

Wow, a gripping debut novel set during the Nazi occupation of France and its aftermath which explores the sacrifices people are prepared to make for love. Outstanding, read it!

I found it genuinely impossible to put this book down - it builds suspense and tension from the first page!

It's really two stories in one. The first part of the story begins in 1944 with Jean Luc and Charlotte living their separate lives in Paris both trying to make a difference as they grapple with the Nazi Occupation of France; Jean Luc working on the railway next to a transit camp and Charlotte as a nurse. The couple begin a romantic relationship but their lives become deeply intertwined. Showing outstanding courage, the couple take some enormous risks as they navigate the dangers ahead knowing that they can trust nobody.

The story then jumps to 1953 with the couple trying to start a new life in America after the end of the war.... Read Full Review

Susan Coleman