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Flame in the Night: A Novel of World War II France Kindle Edition

by Heather Munn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.2 out of 5 stars 37
See all formats and editions
In occupied France, a teen is torn between hate and love
Julien Losier has just turned eighteen. But this is Vichy France in 1942, and his coming of age is marred by the Nazi occupation of his homeland. His father has always taught him that evil is resisted by the power of God, not by the gun. But when the roundups of Jews begin and both his best friend and the girl he's falling for become targets, Julien must question where real power lies. Can he be a man who protects the people he loves if he follows his father's ways of peace?

His hometown is a fragile fortress where hundreds of Jewish youth hide in plain sight, protected only by the goodwill of their neighbors. Julien takes part in the intricate system of sentries and alert codes that keep them safe, doing what he can to resist the Nazis. As the Germans close in, he can see the moment coming when all the town's careful defenses will fail. He's torn between the faith of his father and his increasing surety that fighting violence with violence is the only way to win. How can the meek inherit the earth when the strong hold all the cards?

Now the young Jewish woman who has captured his heart comes under deadly threat, and there are no good choices. But for Elise, there's nothing Julien won't risk.

Based on actual events in Vichy France, Flame in the Night is a powerful examination of the strength of faith and peaceful resistance in the face of overwhelming odds.
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  1. Print length
    320 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publisher
    Kregel Publications
  5. Publication date
    September 18, 2018
  6. File size
    1026 KB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
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  10. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

“This is a compelling novel, historically and emotionally authentic, written with elegance and wisdom. It asks the great and difficult questions, and earns its answers. It is an all-too-timely story of the darkness, and of the light.” -- Kent Gramm, author of November, The Prayer of Jesus, and Psalms for Skeptics Published On: 2018-06-11

“Heather Munn’s Flame in the Night is historical fiction in full color. The reader experiences the story intimately as Munn sets them deftly in the thick of the action. This novel is an essential read for those who avidly seek out World War II fiction. Don't miss this one!” -- Susan Finkbeiner, CBA best-selling author of the Pearl Spence novels Published On: 2018-06-11

“Heather Munn's historical novel is a stunning tale of quiet heroism during a time of unimaginable terror. It brought to my mind the narrative skills of Kristin Hannah's The Nightingale combined with the deep questions faced by Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Munn doesn’t go for pat answers. Her characters make choices where there are no good choices, and hurdle toward a future that might not exist. A lovely and love-filled book.” -- Deb Richardson-Moore, author of The Weight of Mercy and the Branigan Powers mystery series Published On: 2018-06-11

About the Author

Heather Munn was born in Northern Ireland and grew up in southern France, where her parents were missionaries like their parents before them. She has a BA in literature from Wheaton College and now lives in rural Illinois, with her husband, Paul, and their son. Her blog, Gravity and Grace, can be found at seedstoryteller.blogspot.com.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07CZ1H8NZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kregel Publications (September 18, 2018)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ September 18, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 1026 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 320 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.2 out of 5 stars 37

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Heather Munn

Heather Munn

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Customer reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars
4.2 out of 5
37 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

greyowl
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep convictions under fire
Reviewed in the United States on September 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Flame in the Night by Heather Munn is a captivating drama about the resistance movement in occupied France during WWII. Teenage scouts conceal Jewish children from the Gestapo in remote farms, attics, treetops and caves, while everyday life continues as usual: cultivating vegetables, going to school, shovelling snow, attending church.
An informer, working for the compromising Vichy government, takes up residence in the village. Injured German soldiers from the Eastern front are sent there to recuperate. The pastor and his assistant encourage the faithful to practise nonviolent resistance, and they establish a network of helpers, which enables many Jewish children from Poland or Germany, whose parents have been deported to concentration camps, to go into hiding or to take on new identities and mingle with the locals. However, some lads join the underground armed Maquis. And so the agonising questions of conscience keep surfacing.
The prime players in this story are Julien Losier, the eighteen-year-old son of an earnest French Protestant family, and Elisa Schulmann (renamed Elise Fournier), the sixteen-year-old daughter of strict German Jewish parents. You guess: they fall for each other. But this is no traditional romance. It's all about the heart-searching questions of faithfulness to one's upbringing, responsibilities and convictions, of ethical dilemmas, and the tormenting yearning for God to reveal Himself amid all this suffering.
Various subplots spice up the narrative, such as Benjamin’s failed attempt to sneak across the border into Switzerland, the incarceration of Pastor Alexandre and Julien’s father, and the resulting nervous breakdown of his mother. How can two teenagers be expected to cope in such a situation?
The prose is superb throughout this book, capturing not only the sinister events and accompanying inner struggles, but also vividly describing the harsh scenery and the dramatic changes of season, as well as the practicalities of life in a siege situation. One particularly strong feature is the masterly and very realistic use of cropped remarks in tense dialogue exchanges, to hint at things the speaker doesn’t dare to formulate.
Although laced with suspense, this book is not for those seeking an action-packed, racy war thriller. Rather, it will appeal to serious readers, who are willing to come to grips with difficult moral issues and emotional qualms. Some readers might be put off by the repeated reflections on risking one’s life for others, and the legitimacy or otherwise of deceit and violence in a brutal war situation. I found the many characters with unfamiliar-sounding names a bit difficult at first, but the matter largely resolved itself as the book progressed.
I was given an advanced review copy of the book with a request to write an honest review. I do so gladly.
This is a magnificent book with a challenging theme. Previous books by Heather and Lydia Munn – How Huge the Night and Defy the Night – set the scene for Flame in the Night and introduce some of the characters. It is not necessary to read them first, as each book is complete in itself.
3 people found this helpful
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LooziAnna
4.0 out of 5 stars Another excellent WW2 story
Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2019
Verified Purchase
Another great historical fiction story, based on fact, on the plight and perils of WW2 in Western Europe. This one is set in France, with Christians providing safe harbor for their Jewish neighbors.

I gave this novel four stars because of the difficulty at the outset of pinpointing just who is who: two different groups of people, numerous names to sort out and identify. There were some named characters in the first couple of chapters that appeared only once in the story; the names could have been omitted, stating only their role at that point. This would simplify the process in the reader's mind of identifying the principle characters. Once sorted out, the story moves easily and is very enjoyable to read.
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Cmc
5.0 out of 5 stars Flame in the Night by Heather Munn re: resistance movement in occupied France during WWII.
Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
I found this book difficult to read: very detailed, many characters, emotions and reactions I did not understand at first....but in all, it gave me a good understanding of the complex lives of families including their children in occupied France. It was hard work reading the book, but very rewarding in the end, and I plan to re-read it.
Teenagers who are part of a scout troop serve as scouts looking for danger as Jewish children are hidden, or given new identities or false papers in order to accompany them to escape through border into safer countries. The pastor preaches nonviolence but his son who is one of the main characters struggles with that, and is involved with an armed group who kill an informant. He falls in love with a Jewish girl who is caring for younger siblings when their parents are taken. But it is a complex love story...felt by both of them but too unsafe to allow to develop.
The type of writing is complex in hinting at thoughts and feelings which seem unsafe to be clarified due to the danger they are living with. There are other plots with other people in the village going on in the midst of the stories of the two main characters. All in all, the author does a masterful work of pulling everything together.
One person found this helpful
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Jeff M.
5.0 out of 5 stars You should read it
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
This book is important, and I'd recommend that anyone should read it. The caveat there is that they should not do so lightly. I would urge that you read when you are in a position to not be distracted and can really focus and immerse into the story. It is emotionally powerful, especially when keeping in mind that the vast majority of the events in the story really happened -- check out the afterword to find out more about that. The things that the Nazis and the Vichy government did to the Jews and various minorities during World War II should never be forgotten, not to forever condemn Germans or anything, but rather as an example of the depths of depravity to which humans are able to sink. We truly live in a broken, fallen world in desperate need of redemption. Thank God He has provided a means for that redemption, freely available to 'whosoever will'.
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lazaboid
4.0 out of 5 stars Review
Reviewed in the United States on December 27, 2018
Verified Purchase
I had quite a difficult time getting into the book. I had to drop out and come back to it some weeks later. The second half is definitely much better than first half. More flowing, more consistent with the characters. I finally figured out who was whom. Why was Elise called Elise in some parts and Elisa in others? French vs.Jewish name?confusing.
Anyways I wish Heather to continue writing. You've done an extraordinary story telling job. It's great material. Keep at it!
One person found this helpful
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Amazon Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars A gripping World War II tale based on real happenings
Reviewed in the United States on May 5, 2020
Verified Purchase
You are drawn into the story through lots of dialogue and action while getting into the young character’s thoughts. The story builds to a climax of evil Nazi ruthlessness and keeps you on edge in wonder and horror. I liked how the author sorted out exactly what was historical fact and what was fictional at the end. Heather Munn is a very gifted storyteller!
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Rabid Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful!
Reviewed in the United States on November 9, 2018
Verified Purchase
The author's skill is weaving words and creating vivid imagery thoroughly captivated me. It was an intense pleasure to read and I highly recommend it.
One person found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

greyowl
5.0 out of 5 stars Deep convictions under fire
Reviewed in Germany on April 9, 2024
Verified Purchase
Flame in the Night by Heather Munn is a captivating drama about the resistance movement in occupied France during WWII. Teenage scouts conceal Jewish children from the Gestapo in remote farms, attics, treetops and caves. Meanwhile, all around them everyday life continues as usual: cultivating vegetables, going to school, shovelling snow, attending church.

Plot
An informer, working for the compromising Vichy government, takes up residence in the village. Injured German soldiers from the Eastern front arrive to recuperate. The pastor and his assistant encourage the faithful to practise nonviolent resistance. Together they establish a network of helpers, which enables many Jewish children from Poland or Germany, whose parents have been deported to concentration camps, to go into hiding or to take on new identities and mingle with the locals. However, some of the village lads join the underground armed Maquis. And so the agonising questions of conscience keep surfacing.

The prime player in this story are Julien Losier, the eighteen-year-old son of an earnest French Protestant family. His counterpart is Elisa Schulmann (renamed Elise Fournier), the sixteen-year-old daughter of strict German Jewish parents. You guessed: they fall for each other. But this is no traditional romance. It’s all about the heart-searching questions of faithfulness to one’s upbringing, responsibilities and convictions, of ethical dilemmas, and the tormenting yearning for God to reveal Himself amid all this suffering.

Various subplots spice up the narrative. Benjamin fails in his attempt to sneak across the border into Switzerland. Pastor Alexandre and Julien’s father are incarcerated, which provokes the nervous breakdown of his mother. How can two teenagers be expected to cope in such a situation?

Appraisal
This book is superbly written throughout. Munn captures not only the sinister events and accompanying inner struggles, but also vividly describes the harsh scenery and dramatic changes of season, as well as the practicalities of life in a siege situation. One particularly strong feature is the masterly and very realistic use of cropped remarks in tense dialogue exchanges, to hint at things the speaker doesn’t dare to express in words.

Although laced with suspense, this book is not for those seeking an action-packed, racy war thriller. Rather, it will appeal to serious readers, who are willing to come to grips with difficult moral issues and emotional qualms. Some readers might be put off by the repeated reflections on risking one’s life for others, and the legitimacy or otherwise of deceit and violence in a brutal war situation. I found the many characters with unfamiliar-sounding names a bit difficult at first, but the matter largely resolved itself as the book progressed.

This is a magnificent book with a challenging theme. You can buy the paperback here or the e-book here, or at Amazon or elsewhere. Heather Munn has written two earlier books together with her mother, Lydia Munn: How Huge the Night and Defy the Night. They set the scene for Flame in the Night and introduce some of the characters. However, it is not necessary to read them first, as each book is complete in itself.
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Cathy Morgan
5.0 out of 5 stars thought-provoking
Reviewed in Australia on November 18, 2018
Verified Purchase
Julien grew up in a village where non-violent resistance is taught, and many Jews are hidden, protected and helped to escape from the Germans. Set in the second world war in a remote part of France, the pressure from the Germans is increasing and Julien's father is a leader in the community, putting him in considerable danger. But Julien must decide for himself whether to follow his heritage, whatever happens to his father, or to join the Maquis and try to fight back against the invaders. Elisa is a Jew whose parents moved away from Germany to France to escape the Germans, but found France to be no safer. Given the chance to sign away the responsibility for their children to friendly strangers rather than leaving them at the mercy of the Germans, Elisa's parents manage to save their children but are themselves presumably sent to concentration camps. As the oldest of three, Elisa endures hardships the others don't face, and feels a responsibility to look after them that makes her shun the path to Switzerland out of fear. As Julien and Elisa spend more time together, the attraction grows, but as a Jew she cannot allow a relationship with a Gentile. Despite this knowledge, when she ends up in danger, Julien is forced once again to question his beliefs...

Not always easy to read because of the horrible things they had to face (though nothing too graphic is presented), but definitely well worth a read, and the writing is great and made the book very hard to put down. The tug-of-war between a natural desire to fight back and engrained principles of non-violence is presented well, and in a thought-provoking way. This is not a light or quick read, but definitely a worthwhile read. All in all, highly recommended.

A comprehensive historical note at the end informs the interested reader what exactly in the story is true and what is fiction - which I really appreciated.
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