Powerful, heart-stopping, gut-wrenching, fast-paced and unforgettable are just a few words to describe Siobhan Curham’s newest novel which I was totally engaged in from start to finish. This author has a way of pulling you in from the first page and the Prologue certainly did that with its ‘staring straight into the barrel of a gun’ line! But oh, how my heart broke over and over as I became deeply and painfully invested in the lives carefully presented on the page.
The main story is set between 1942 -1945 in Paris. Clarisse is an American who keeps her identity and real nationality hidden while successfully living in Paris as a French woman. She is a fashion photographer but utilises her talents in another way during World War II when the Germans occupy the city. One day after something terrible happens before her eyes that clutches her heart, she is so shocked and heartbroken, that it sets her on a mission to join the Resistance. It all starts when she sees a Jewish mother and her child ripped apart. She takes a photo of the horrendous moment to never forget and to find a way to help those being attacked. She also finds a locket that belongs to the captured mother. Clarisse holds on to it hoping one day to return it to the child named Lillie. Clarisse wears it around her neck as a reminder to be strong and fight for those who have been wrongly treated by the Nazis.
Clarisse’s husband, an artist, is a horrible man. He is abusive, controlling, disrespectful and many other negative things. She wonders how she ever fell for him but at this stage she abhors him and the awful things he does to her. Once she meets Peacock (Louis) who is a part of the Resistance and is introduced to its leader, she begins to find her feet and purpose. (He nicknames her Fire.) She wants to do something to fight back and help rid the city of the Nazis. This new friendship with Peacock rebuilds her self-worth and strength to not only be part of this network trying to free the city but also gives her courage to leave her husband.
This novel contains some witty banter between Fire (Clarisse) and Peacock (Louis) and I have to say it is much appreciated because it offers the comic relief necessary amid all the torture and despair present in this story. I loved how Louis always took a positive view of things so he definitely was an optimist and he made people happy with its music and viewpoint. For the city of Paris becomes so overwhelmed with sadness and fear during the German occupation, his bright light of joy cuts through the darkness of despair. It is easy to see how Clarisse loves him but her love also means she becomes vulnerable and temporarily weakened by the shocking events that surround him.
There are a number of victims she helps but only one other I will mention due to my deep emotional response. A little Jewish boy name Joseph really captured my heart (as he did Clarisse’s). I felt such a connection to this little guy, maybe because he reminded me of my own five year old grandson. I cannot tell what happens with him or I will risk giving something away. But I can say how I felt. I had such a devastating ache in my heart followed by a wave of tears at the events that involved him. I truly don’t think I will ever forget this little boy who was so courageous. He put his tender trust in Clarisse who adored him and she risked everything to get him to safety. The trials they faced gripped my heart and shook it fiercely.
The second timeline in the novel is 1985. Little things trigger the speaker’s painful memories— like a child’s cry. As the story progresses we learn much about this woman and by the end everything makes sense. It is impossible to discuss this section of the story without giving anything away. So, I will just say it is wonderfully complimentary to the WWII thread and provides a different perspective of the torture many endured and its after-effects. I can comment that the ending is powerful, fulfilling and even uplifting as the two timeliness and some of the characters come together in unison.
This is a story that demonstrates the destructive force of hate. Prejudice is awful. It fuels war, division, chaos, death and even disease. I had great difficulty reading The Secret Photograph because it is so painfully moving. Imagining the horrible things that the Jewish people and others faced during the Nazis reign is a difficult emotional journey to follow.
It is easy to feel anger toward those who were intentionally cruel, though. But there were others who grieved being on the wrong side. There is a moment in the story of one soldier who is forced to do a job that he does not want to do. ‘Sorry’ echoes from his lips and heart like a loud bell clanging throughout history as we must also remember there were some who did not want to be part of the horrible things imposed upon them. It was a nice touch to add this— as a reminder not to judge a whole group of people.
I highly recommend this novel but be prepared to cry. 5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for a review copy.
