THE LAVENDER
KEEPER
Fiona
McIntosh – Penguin Australia $37
This is a
big novel running to 460 plus pages from a talented Australian author whom I guess
it would be fair to call a cross-genre writer because in addition to two
historical novels, of which this is one, she has also written seven fantasy
novels, a children’s novel and two crime fiction titles. She was originally a
travel writer but after attending a summer fiction writing course by Bryce
Courtenay a few years back she became a full-time author and has not looked
back.
I said this
was an historical novel and I guess it is because it is set in London, Provence
and Paris during World War Two, it opens in July 1942 and ends with the
liberation of Paris in 1945. In addition to being a war story it is also a love
story. It is unlikely I would have chosen this story to read had I picked it up
in a bookshop as it appears to be a bit soppy but in the end the blend of war
story with plenty of action and intrigue along with the romantic angle won me
over and I quite enjoyed it. I note at the end of the book an advance
advertisement for a sequel, Luc’s Promise, which it says is the “dramatic
conclusion to the romantic adventure The Lavender Keeper” is coming soon. I
expect that means next year.
So what is
the book about? Part one opens in Provence in 1942 when we meet Luc Bonet a
lavender farmer. He is the adopted son of a well-off Jewish family and when
they are arrested and deported to a concentration camp and the lavender farm is
seized he joins the Resistance, the Maquis, living in the mountains and
sabotaging German forces and supplies.
Then in part
two of the book we meet Lisette Forester in her mid-20’s living in London since
1938 but a French National and talented linguist; she is recruited by the
British to infiltrate the German regime in Paris . She is dropped in to the
south of France where Luc, now with another name, meets her, she also has
another name, and helps her get to Paris. This is where the love interest
enters as they are both immediately attracted to each other although they have
to put that aside meantime as their goal is to assist in freeing France from
the Germans. Needless to say their paths continue to cross over the remaining
war years.
It is a
tough story at times with Gestapo brutality on French citizenry and in
particular of course the Jewish population, this is partly set-off by the
romance and inevitable love triangle that develops. Lisette has been sent to
Paris specifically to inveigle herself into the life of a high ranking German
officer. He is 15 years her senior, single, handsome and charming and when she
eventually manages to meet up and become involved she finds herself, surprisingly
and alarmingly attracted to him.
The details
and settings of the time and place are well done, the author clearly knows
France, and Paris in particular, very well and has done her research on the
German occupation thoroughly.
It is
largely an entertaining story, the narrative is fast-paced and for a big book
it is quite a quick read but dare I risk being accused of being sexist here,
and say that it is more likely to appeal to women than men. That aside I’m sure
readers will be lining up for the sequel.
It is worth
noting too that Penguin Books had to put a reprint in place before the book was
published which means it was very well received by booksellers.
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