A Talented Author With A Historian’s Eye

One of the most difficult things to write is a historically accurate novel set in the recent past and Ellie Midwood does it exceptionally well. What makes the task all the more daunting is that the author sets the story in one of the most historically well documented times and places, France at the beginning of the German occupation. To appreciate what the author has accomplished it helps if you remember that we are three to four generations removed from World War II. Author’s who were contemporary with events – Hemingway, Dos Passos, Styron, Stein, and Vonnegut to name a few – have transferred to the blue ethers. The authors of the “Greatest Generation” are also all but gone, having written about these events either from the perspective of being present in their early 20s at the time or from their own historical research. Midwood, like internationally recognized historical author Ben Pastor (AKA Maria Verbena Volpi) is intimately familiar with her topic and time period. Where other authors achieve verisimilitude through cribbing from reports, essays, and the works of first generation authors, Midwood is at ease with her surroundings and owns this time period in a way that allows her characters to live in them seamlessly. The reader soon stops doing a mental inventory of events that are pending based on history and is quickly lost in the story. Without sharing any spoilers, the author has given us narrative that reminds us that life continues under all circumstances, that war more than any other area of human activity defines our times. What makes this more jolting is that once you realize you’ve settled into the immediate, personal narratives of the characters then you realize that these characters, like yourself, are not living their lives relative to what we deem a defining event in history. The characters are living with the immediate realities of a world overthrown, events that were far from predestined and are articles of faith in our world are still developing in theirs. It is a story that is most satisfying, will have you looking forward to the next installment. But most importantly it will give you a moment to pause and ask yourself if you really understand the historical import of the events of your own times and what, if anything, such awareness has done to guide your actions.

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so good

The first book in a new series by Ellie Midwood.

What I love about this book is that they make you think and ask yourself the question ‘What would you do?”. This book shows that war isn’t black and white and there are good and bad people on both sides.

I love seeing how each of the three siblings comes to term with the war and what to do to save themselves and others. Their actions surprised me and I was cheering Giselle on in the end.

I look forward to reading the next book

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Bravo!

What a marvelous story, with the great narrator, Becky Boyd, who breathes even more life into it!
Frankly, I’ve been fascinated by each of this author’s books, whether it be about the Nuremberg Trials, the inter-workings of the Nazis, or the use of female Jewish sex slaves in Nazi camps, but I have to say, INDIGO REBELS is my favorite.

Great detailed descriptions of characters and settings intersperse with factual tidbits that, like all her books, had me visiting Wikipedia, eager to find out even more. But ultimately, fine descriptions aren’t enough for me. As I found myself turning pages with great absorption and anticipation, I realized I was highly impressed with Midwood’s well-thought out and intriguing plot. All in all, a brilliantly executed book which I highly recommend. Bravo, Ellie Midwood!

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"The Indigo Rebels"

If you love historical fiction, this book will be perfect for you. It's compelling, beautifully written, and historically accurate. I felt I was actually there, walking through the streets of Occupied Paris together with Giselle as German officers passed by. The narrator did a great job, bringing the story to life. Highly recommended! Oh, and I hope the other two books in the series will be available in audiobook format as well - I'd grab them in a second!

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Historical fiction at its best

The story of two sisters and their younger brother left in the occupied Paris and the choices they make. As with all Ellie Midwood’s stories, I was immediately pulled in and found myself drawn into the suspense.
Depiction of the characters and their emotional state come to life. One of the sisters struggles with feelings of her husband's indifference and abandonment. The other sister is flamboyant and the opposite of her younger sibling. They both grow to change significantly through the occupation). Their younger brother, at first confused and uncertain, finds his way into the resistance movement. The relationships between them and the people with whom they interact are as complex as one might imagine in such difficult times.
The story gives the reader a look into daily life in France under Nazi control. I’m kin to find out in the next two books, who of the main characters chooses self-sacrifice for the good of others to overcome evil and who favors self-preservation. I can’t recommend this book enough for anyone who enjoys reading about WWII from different perspectives.

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Love and War

The beginnings slow burn turned into a fire as the narrator pulled me into a enthralling narrative full of love, schemes and betrayal. I loved the characters right off, especially the strong female lead, Giselle. A Renaissance woman, who fights in a tumultuous occupied France, is someone I can truly admire. I’m looking forward to hearing more. Viva la resistance!

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A brilliant WW 2 novel

A brilliant study of character, this WW2 novel stands out among the others in the same genre for several reasons: it shows the very birth of the French Resistance, and in particular the first clandestine newspaper which was used as a means of not only enlightening the population on the realities of the occupation but called them for action as well. Second, it shows not only different classes but different ideologies clashing - and managing to work together against the common enemy - under the German yoke. Enjoyed it immensely. I have already started reading the sequel but I’m hoping it’ll be available in audiobook format as well; I’d love to listen to it.

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A good strong story line

I liked that this was a different setting , a different view of the way the Nazis took over in this era . In this read , you have the viewpoint of three siblings , how they each are affected by the take over , rather its fighting for the land and rights , or falling in love with the enemy , these siblings are a part of history though many would not assume they are any different than the person next door .These siblings each have a story to be told . The feelings one feels for someone on the wrong side , the feeling of fighting for mankind when your scared and young , the rebellion of one sister who feels she can do as she pleases despite the danger it entails. This is a Strong Story line with a good viewpoint .Listening to this on Audio brought it to life even more

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I got through it despite the performance

I made it through this despite wanting to stop on numerous occasions because of the utterly awful performance of the narrator. She made all the women sound whiny, conniving, cartoonish and pathetic and mispronounced common French and German words. At the very least she should know how to pronounce Gisela in German as it’s a plot point (hint, it’s not with a soft g). The performance was so bad I’ve made a note to never listen to another book narrated by her again. I decided to go ahead with the next book in the series because it has a different narrator, and overall I enjoyed the story. I wish I’d had the time to read the book instead of listen to it - I would have enjoyed it more.

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Listened straight through

Ellie Midwood masterfully places us into occupied France. Into the lives of three siblings we go losing ourselves in their stories. The novel is vivid and feels authentic. They interact with Germans who aren’t stoic and distant flat characters. Rather, she is able to make the Germans three dimensional and real. I highly recommend without hesitation this audio version as that is how I “read” the novel. It is narrated with a steady, pleasing voice.

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3 people found this helpful