Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France - Softcover
The astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France
'A most strange and compelling book driven by the writer's unsparing search for truth: now an optimistic hunt for a family heroine, now a study in female wiles of survival, now a portrait of one very ordinary person's frailty in the face of terrible odds.' John le Carré
When Nicholas Shakespeare stumbled across a box documents belonging to his late aunt he was completely unaware of where this discovery would take him. The Priscilla he remembered was very different from the glamorous, morally ambiguous young woman who emerged from the many love letters and journals, surrounded by suitors and living the dangerous existence of a British woman in a country controlled by the enemy. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the Resistance, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated.
As he investigated his aunt's life, dark secrets emerged. Nicholas discovered the answer to the questions he'd been puzzling over: What caused the breakdown of Priscilla's marriage to a French aristocrat? Why had she been interned in a prisoner-of-war camp and how had she escaped? And who was the 'Otto' she was having a relationship with as Paris was liberated?
Priscilla's story show us the precariousness of life in occupied France, when loyalties were compromised and life could change in an instant. It gives us an intimate insight into women's lives in times of conflict and asks us to consider what we might do to survive in similar circumstances.
'A most strange and compelling book driven by the writer's unsparing search for truth: now an optimistic hunt for a family heroine, now a study in female wiles of survival, now a portrait of one very ordinary person's frailty in the face of terrible odds.' John le Carré
When Nicholas Shakespeare stumbled across a box documents belonging to his late aunt he was completely unaware of where this discovery would take him. The Priscilla he remembered was very different from the glamorous, morally ambiguous young woman who emerged from the many love letters and journals, surrounded by suitors and living the dangerous existence of a British woman in a country controlled by the enemy. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the Resistance, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated.
As he investigated his aunt's life, dark secrets emerged. Nicholas discovered the answer to the questions he'd been puzzling over: What caused the breakdown of Priscilla's marriage to a French aristocrat? Why had she been interned in a prisoner-of-war camp and how had she escaped? And who was the 'Otto' she was having a relationship with as Paris was liberated?
Priscilla's story show us the precariousness of life in occupied France, when loyalties were compromised and life could change in an instant. It gives us an intimate insight into women's lives in times of conflict and asks us to consider what we might do to survive in similar circumstances.
"synopsis" may belong to another edition of this title.
Review:
"A pin-sharp biography which unfurls like gripping fiction... wonderful, haunting, thought-provoking" (Melanie Reid The Times)
"I have not read a better portrait of the moral impossibility of that time and place for people, like Priscilla, who found themselves trapped in it... A wonderful book" (Daily Telegraph)
"As Shakespeare acknowledges, his aunt’s is one of millions of wartime stories. But thanks to the extensive paperwork, and his energetic digging, he creates a detailed and vivid narrative. This is a moving, and constantly surprising story" (Matthew Bell Independent on Sunday)
"So gripping it reads like a novel" (Rachel Johnson Evening Standard)
"This mysterious story of the Occupation in France has all the qualities of a fascinating novel, with exquisite social, sexual and moral nuance" (Antony Beevor)
Book Description:
"I have not read a better portrait of the moral impossibility of that time and place for people, like Priscilla, who found themselves trapped in it... A wonderful book" (Daily Telegraph)
"As Shakespeare acknowledges, his aunt’s is one of millions of wartime stories. But thanks to the extensive paperwork, and his energetic digging, he creates a detailed and vivid narrative. This is a moving, and constantly surprising story" (Matthew Bell Independent on Sunday)
"So gripping it reads like a novel" (Rachel Johnson Evening Standard)
"This mysterious story of the Occupation in France has all the qualities of a fascinating novel, with exquisite social, sexual and moral nuance" (Antony Beevor)
The astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France
"About this title" may belong to another edition of this title.
- PublisherHarvill Secker
- Publication date2013
- ISBN 10 1846554845
- ISBN 13 9781846554841
- BindingPaperback
- Number of pages448
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Priscilla : The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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Book Description Condition: Very Good. Very Good condition. A copy that may have a few cosmetic defects. May also contain light spine creasing or a few markings such as an owner's name, short gifter's inscription or light stamp. Bundled media such as CDs, DVDs, floppy disks or access codes may not be included. Seller Inventory # T11O-00709
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Priscilla : The hidden life of an Englishwoman in wartime France
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Book Description Trade Paperback. Condition: Very Good. Trade Paperback. 425 pages. *** PUBLISHING DETAILS: Harvill Secker, 2013. *** CONDITION: This book is in very good condition. More specifically: Covers have no creasing. Corners of covers are lightly bumped. Spine has minimal reading creases. . Pages are lightly tanned. *** ABOUT THIS BOOK: The astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France 'A most strange and compelling book driven by the writer's unsparing search for truth- now an optimistic hunt for a family heroine, now a study in female wiles of survival, now a portrait of one very ordinary person's frailty in the face of terrible odds.' John le Carre /b> hen Nicholas Shakespeare stumbled across a box documents belonging to his late aunt he was completely unaware of where this discovery would take him. The Priscilla he remembered was very different from the glamorous, morally ambiguous young woman who emerged from the many love letters and journals, surrounded by suitors and living the dangerous existence of a British woman in a country controlled by the enemy. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the Resistance, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated. As he investigated his aunt's life, dark secrets emerged. Nicholas discovered the answer to the questions he'd been puzzling over- What caused the breakdown of Priscilla's marriage to a French aristocrat? Why had she been interned in a prisoner *** Quantity Available: 1. Category: Military & Warfare; Historical; ISBN/EAN: 9781846554841. Inventory No: 20020420. Seller Inventory # 20020420
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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ISBN 13: 9781846554841
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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(2013)
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ISBN 13: 9781846554841
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Priscilla : The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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Book Description Paperback. Nov-13. This is the astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France. "A most strange and compelling book driven by the writer's unsparing search for truth: now an optimistic hunt for a family heroine, now a study in female wiles of survival, now a portrait of one very ordinary person's frailty in the face of terrible odds". (John le Carre). When Nicholas Shakespeare stumbled across a box documents belonging to his late aunt he was completely unaware of where this discovery would take him. The Priscilla he remembered was very different from the glamorous, morally ambiguous young woman who emerged from the many love letters and journals, surrounded by suitors and living the dangerous existence of a British woman in a country controlled by the enemy. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the Resistance, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated. As he investigated his aunt's life, dark secrets emerged. Nicholas discovered the answer to the questions he'd been puzzling over: What caused the breakdown of Priscilla's marriage to a French aristocrat? Why had she been interned in a prisoner-of-war camp and how had she escaped? And who was the 'Otto' she was having a relationship with as Paris was liberated? Priscilla's story show us the precariousness of life in occupied France, when loyalties were compromised and life could change in an instant. It gives us an intimate insight into women's lives in times of conflict and asks us to consider what we might do to survive in similar circumstances. 2013. A trade paperback copy in fine, unread condition. Seller Inventory # 16080122
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France
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(2013)
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ISBN 13: 9781846554841
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Fine. 1st Edition. This copy is like new. The astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France 'A most strange and compelling book driven by the writer's unsparing search for truth- now an optimistic hunt for a family heroine, now a study in female wiles of survival, now a portrait of one very ordinary person's frailty in the face of terrible odds.' John le Carre /b> hen Nicholas Shakespeare stumbled across a box documents belonging to his late aunt he was completely unaware of where this discovery would take him. The Priscilla he remembered was very different from the glamorous, morally ambiguous young woman who emerged from the many love letters and journals, surrounded by suitors and living the dangerous existence of a British woman in a country controlled by the enemy. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the Resistance, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated. As he investigated his aunt's life, dark secrets emerged. Nicholas discovered the answer to the questions he'd been puzzling over- What caused the breakdown of Priscilla's marriage to a French aristocrat? Why had she been interned in a prisoner. Seller Inventory # 032839
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France by Nicholas Shakespeare
Published by
Random House, London
(2013)
ISBN 10: 1846554845
ISBN 13: 9781846554841
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Book Description Soft cover. Condition: Very Good. 1st Edition. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Pages are sunned. The astonishing true story of a young woman's adventures, and misadventures, in the dangerous world of Nazi-occupied France.For Priscilla, pre-war Paris was an exciting carousel of suitors, soirées and heartbreak, and eventually a lavish wedding to a French aristocrat.But the arrival of the Nazi tanks signalled the end of life as a Vicomtesse and the beginning of a precarious existence under German Occupation.Over half a century later, her nephew, Nicholas Shakespeare, found a box of Priscilla's notebooks and journals. He began investigating the rumours that she had escaped a prisoner-of-war camp and fought for the Resistance - and he finally unearthed the truth behind suspicions of disreputable love affairs and far darker secrets. (publisher blurb). Seller Inventory # 004260
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Priscilla: The Hidden Life of an Englishwoman in Wartime France.
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ISBN 13: 9781846554841
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Book Description 1st p/b ed. Paperback octavo, very good condition, black & white text-photos, minor edgewear. 427 pp. When the well-known British author stumbled across a box of documents belonging to his late aunt, he was completely unaware of where this would take him. He had heard rumours that Priscilla had fought in the French Resistance during WW2, but the truth turned out to be far more complicated. The remarkable true story of a young woman's adventures and misadventures during war years. Seller Inventory # 16032
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