The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel: inspired by true acts of courage, heartwrenching WW2 historical fiction

By: Sarah Steele

Narrated by: Natalie Pela

The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and deeply moving story of love and hope in World War II from the USA Today bestselling author of The Missing Pieces of Nancy Moon.

The war taught her to fight. The children taught her to hope...

Inspired by real acts of bravery and resistance, The Schoolteacher of Saint Michel is a heartrending and deeply moving story of one woman's courage and sacrifice during World War II, from the USA Today bestselling author of The Missing Piece of Nancy Moon.

This exquisitely beautiful novel is perfect for readers of The Rose Code by Kate Quinn, The Postmistress, Lilac Girls and The Girl from Vichy.

'A beautifully worked tale of bravery, woven into the reality of a time we can't forget' Mandy Robotham, author of The Berlin Girl

'An emotional, beautifully constructed read. I loved the way the clues from the past and present slowly knitted together, answering the questions that had been missing their answers for so long' Sunday Times bestselling author Jill Mansell

'Gripping, at times heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting, I found this beautifully written novel impossible to put down' Sunday Times bestselling author Katie Fforde

'My darling girl, I need you to find someone for me . . .'

France, 1942. At the end of the day, the schoolteacher releases her pupils. She checks they have their identity passes, and warns them not to stop until the German guards have let them through the barrier that separates occupied France from Free France. As the little ones fly across the border and into their mothers' arms, she breathes a sigh of relief. No one is safe now. Not even the children.

Berkshire, present day. A letter left to her by her beloved late grandmother Gigi takes Hannah Stone on a journey deep into the heart of the Dordogne landscape. As she begins to unravel a forgotten history of wartime bravery and sacrifice, she discovers the heartrending secret that binds her grandmother to a village schoolteacher, the remarkable Lucie Laval . . .

'An engaging tale of courage and friendship. A triumph!' Gill Paul

'Evocative writing and the storytelling is masterful. It really draws the reader in' Felicity Hayes-McCoy

(P)2021 Headline Publishing Group Limited©2021 Sarah Steele

Critic reviews

An emotional, beautifully constructed read. I especially loved the way the clues from the past and present slowly knitted together, answering the questions that had been missing their answers for so long (Jill Mansell, author of It Started with a Secret)

Gripping, at times heartbreaking, but ultimately uplifting, I found this beautifully written novel impossible to put down (Katie Fforde, author of A Springtime Affair)

An engaging tale of courage and friendship. The setting in the French countryside is lush and summery. A triumph! (Gill Paul, author of The Secret Wife)

I gorged on cherries and slices of rich history in this beautifully worked tale of bravery, woven into the reality of a time we can't forget (Mandy Robotham, author of The Secret Messenger)

The Schoolteacher of Saint-Michel really draws the reader in. The storytelling is masterful, as are all the subtle touches that convey the sense of place; and, as with Nancy Moon, the bedrock is Sarah's nuanced, unsentimental portrayal of warm, compassionate female friendships (Felicity Hayes-McCoy, author of The Library at the Edge of the World)

Riveting intimate story of Ocupied France.

A riveting page turner narrated by an excellent reader. Every one should get it.

A beautiful story of bravery in a small French town of resistance fighters

The beauty of the characters of most of the residents in Saint- Michael and their part in helping the vunrable at cost to themselves in a time of war

HISTORICAL FICTION HIGHLIGHTING THE BRAVERY OF PEOPLE WHO FOUGHT BACK AGAINST THE NAZIS…

Although this book is historical fiction, it tells stories of people whose lives probably mirrored many characters in the book. Many brave people found ways, big and small to fight against the Hitler regime — including some Germans who were forced to enlist in the Army, but didn’t believe in Hitler’s fervor to wipe out anyone deemed “imperfect.” All of these people risked their own lives to help others.

This fascinating tells the story of Lucy, a school teacher who helps smuggle Jewish children out of occupied France to freedom.

The story is told by Hannah as she endeavors to fulfill her grandmother Gigi’s final wish — to find Lucy if she’s still alive and apologize for her. But apologize for what?

Hannah goes to France to trace her grandmother’s early life, and what she finds is amazing and life altering.

The story flips seamlessly between Hannah, present day, and her grandmother in the late 1930’s and early 1940’s. Along the way, friends, ally’s and neighbors are slowly introduced into the story.

The narrator, Natalie Pela, does a fantastic job of bringing the characters and the story to life.

I highly recommend this book (and I will immediately be searching the Audible library for more books by author Sarah Steele)!

Excellent!

The characters were so realistic. The story was mesmerizing. I would definately read it again.

An incredible story.

Very well written,the characters come to life. I didn't want it to end. The courage displayed by the women in this book is inspiring.