The Fires of Autumn by Irène NémirovskyMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
It took me a but to get into this book as the opening for me had too much detail and I wasn’t the least bit interested in the domesticity it portrayed.
As the story went on it got better in term of engagement but I disliked both Bernard – spoilt brat – and Thérèse who is in many ways not a woman who appeals to me, but is of her time in her dependency, although we see her strength as she finally does something brave and constructive and takes the family out of Paris to the safety of the countryside. Although the happy ending did fill me with emotion , I thought it played a bit too much to the romantic Hollywood version of life.
The writing good have done from a good edit – to give but one example, things like saying a man walked down the street carrying a loaf of bread and then explaining it was a baguette – unnecessary detail, repetitive, we all know what a baguette is, a loaf of a baguette would suffice , both was a waste and spoilt the flow and my read.
It has been years since I read Suite Francaise, so comparing it is tricky but I would say I think it is a lesser read. Now whether it would make a better film is another question, as the movie was not well done.
In conclusion, if you are a Nemirovsoky fan or student, yes read; if in the current time you're looking for a good happy weep and like period pieces yes read; otherwise move on