Hedy's War
Published on 7. May 2020
Book
Paperback/Softback
272 pages
978-1-84697-531-8 (ISBN)
Description
'Combines historical fact with the fictional narrative, and offers a cast rich with multidimensional characters. Readers will be riveted' - Publishers Weekly
In June 1940, the Channel Islands becomes the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by Hitler's forces. Hedy Bercu, a young Jewish girl from Vienna who fled to Jersey two years earlier to escape the Anschluss, finds herself once more entrapped by the Nazis, this time with no escape.
Hedy's War follows her struggle to survive the Occupation and avoid deportation to the camps. Despite her racial status, Hedy finds work with the German authorities and embarks on acts of resistance. Most remarkable of all, she falls in love with a German lieutenant - a relationship on which her life soon comes to depend.
In June 1940, the Channel Islands becomes the only part of Great Britain to be occupied by Hitler's forces. Hedy Bercu, a young Jewish girl from Vienna who fled to Jersey two years earlier to escape the Anschluss, finds herself once more entrapped by the Nazis, this time with no escape.
Hedy's War follows her struggle to survive the Occupation and avoid deportation to the camps. Despite her racial status, Hedy finds work with the German authorities and embarks on acts of resistance. Most remarkable of all, she falls in love with a German lieutenant - a relationship on which her life soon comes to depend.
Reviews / Votes
'An important contribution to historical fiction' * New York Journal of Books * 'Lecoat capably combines historical fact with the fictional narrative, and offers a cast rich with multidimensional characters. Readers will be riveted' * Publishers Weekly * 'Jenny Lecoat has used unexpected twists...to tell the compelling true story of a small group of friends trying to survive in difficult and often dangerous situations...a well-written story that many would enjoy' * The Winnipeg Free Press * 'A riveting story of survival against all odds, told by a masterful storyteller who also happens to be a fresh new voice in the genre. I ... recommend it highly, not just to fans of historical fiction, but to lovers of good books everywhere' -- Karen Robards 'A vividly evoked story of love surviving, even triumphing, over oppression' * Sunday Times * 'Hedy's War is a stimulating, emotional, and engaging novel, and has been chosen as one of our Debuts of the Month - a captivating, heartfelt and rewarding debut based on true events' * LoveReading * 'This gripping tale of forbidden love and survival will leave you breathless' * Sunday Post * 'Thrilling and deeply moving' * Jersey Festival of Words * 'Bercu's true-life story is reshaped and retold by Jenny Lecoat in her new historical novel, Hedy's War. ... There is a deliberate air of claustrophobia that hangs over Lecoat's novel' * Times of Israel * 'a rousing, exciting and soulful novel that goes straight to the heart' * WDR, Germany *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Birlinn General
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 195 mm
Width: 130 mm
Thickness: 20 mm
Weight
245 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84697-531-8 (9781846975318)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Born in Jersey, Channel Islands, Jenny Lecoat's parents were raised under German Occupation, and both families were involved in resistance activity. Lecoat moved to England aged 18, where, following a drama degree, she spent a decade on the alternative comedy circuit as a feminist stand-up. She was nominated for a prestigious Perrier Award in 1986. She also wrote for newspapers and women's magazines (Cosmopolitan, Observer) and presented TV and radio shows, before focusing on screen writing from sitcom (Birds of a Feather, Sometime Never) to sketch shows (The Catherine Tate Show.) A love of history and factual stories and a return to her island roots brought about her feature film Another Mother's Son (2017), which starred Jenny Seagrove and John Hannah, and attracted major coverage.