Book Review: The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr

Just when you think you are getting fed up of WWII historical fiction, something unique comes along…

Goodreads Blurb

The Resistance Girl by Jina Bacarr

Two women. One heartbreaking secret.

Paris, 1943.

Sylvie Martone is the star of French cinema, adored by fans and on the good side of the Nazi officers who swarm the streets of Paris. Chosen as one of Goebbels’ select few, she is torn between her duty to her country and her desire to survive.

As she walks the city arm in arm with an SS Officer, her fellow Parisians begin to turn against her. But Sylvie has a secret – one she must protect with her life.

Paris, 2020.

Juliana Chastain doesn’t know anything about her family history. While her mother was alive she remained very secretive about her past.

So when Juliana discovers a photograph of a glamorous French actress from World War Two amongst her mother’s possessions, she is in shock to find herself looking at her grandmother – especailly as she is arm in arm with a Nazi Officer…

Desperate for answers, Juliana is determined to trace the journey of her grandmother. Surely there is more to the photograph than meets the eye?

But as she delves into Sylvie’s past, nothing can prepare Juliane for the tales of secrets, betrayal and sacrifice which she will uncover.

Review

The Resistance Girl is a fresh new read in a genre that is bordering overdone. I was even tempted to pass this one on but the plotline of a French film start appealed to me – and I wasn’t left disappointed.

The reader is set up to dislike Sylvie from the first chapter. She was almost like a moral dilemma; to what extent would you go to protect yourself? And does that include consorting with the enemy. Even up until about halfway through the book I didn’t like Sylvie. I found her charming but egotistical. Then her character development really came into play and I found myself racing through, eager to find out what happened next.

I didn’t feel the same way about Julie. While I do love a book that flips between different viewpoints and storylines, I didn’t think she brought much value to the book. In my eyes, Julie was simply a catalyst for Sylvie’s story where, in parts, it felt like Sylvie could have just told her own story.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Resistance Girl. However, you might have seen a number of negative reviews about this book on Goodreads. Before the book was finalised, it was called The German Officer’s Girl and the cover showed a number of Nazi flags. I believe some of the negative reviews were by people who hadn’t read the book but were triggered by the cover. It’s really going to depend on your own feelings toward books depicting this era whether you like the story or not. If my review has intrigued a curiosity within you, you can pick up a copy here.

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.