Season of Suffering

Coming of Age in Occupied France, 1940-45

By: Nicole H Taflinger

Narrated by: Sally Martin

Born in 1927, Nicole Braux's earliest recollections occur in the French city of Nancy, where her father owned and operated a hotel and restaurant. Her charming reflections paint a picture of a romantic culture still wounded by the First World War. Nicole was 12 when her father was recalled into the reserves in 1939. Within months, she watched German troops invade. "We peeked above the window sill and saw them...Our imaginations hadn't exaggerated; they looked as evil, it not more so, than we'd expected!" Little by little, the Braux family adjusted to life under occupation. They experienced recurrent air raid alerts, Nazi propaganda, rationing, the Black Market, and bombings. As they struggled simply to acquire food and keep warm, thinking of the future became irrelevant. Teachers, friends, employers, priests, nuns, and doctors disappeared in the night. Relationships became veiled in worry, suspicion, and secrecy. French citizens quietly resisted. They concocted strategies to elude curfew. Women dressed to offend Germans, donning short skirts and makeup, and choosing the bright colors of the French flag. They sold tainted food to the despised oppressors. As the fighting drew ever closer, desperation and terror increased, but miraculous events brought hope. Finally the inconceivable joy of liberation came. However, food remained scarce, the fate of her father was still unknown, and now 18, Nicole found herself deeply in love with Lieutenant Ancel G. Taflinger, pilot for General George S. Patton. Written decades ago but never published, the author's guileless voice enhances her adolescent memories of the German occupation - an existence of fear, loss, suffering, and fierce hatred - and illustrates the immense emotional toll of war.

©2010 Board of Regents of Washington State University (P)2017 Redwood Audiobooks

A bit slow

Although well written this was a bit slow for me. Just didn't hold my interest.

The narrator gave a good performance.

I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.

A moving memoir about life in WWII France.

Any additional comments?

This book is a moving memoir of Nicole Beaux Taflinder. Nicole grew up during WWII in occupied France. This is an incredibly interesting and moving story of that time. A carefree childhood that was over at 13 years of age. She describes her life and that of family and friends, neighbors and other locals in such detail that you can picture everything she writes. Beautifully written by a woman that survived and triumphed. Nicole Helene Taflinder 1927 - 2016. This audiobook was recieved via Audiobook Boom, at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.

a journey back in time

If you could sum up Season of Suffering in three words, what would they be?

war as seen by "normal" people

What was one of the most memorable moments of Season of Suffering?

the love story is delicate and subtle. so needed these time

What does Sally Martin bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

the intimate feeling of a real life of a real person during these times

Any additional comments?

my father grew up in that area exactly in these Epoque. Although he died a year ago the book help me to bring back his memories.
We are Jews living in Israel now. Most of the stories I hear are from the Jewish point of view. It's interesting for me to hear the same stories from the Catholic girl perspective

important historical memories ruined by narrator

the narrator recounts the author's story in a sing song voice that is suited to telling a story to pre-schoolers. it's a shame because the story has much value. It should have been read by the author herself or someone with French intonation.

A Young lady's perspective French Nazi Occupation

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

This book is a recommended read for someone who is interested in life under Nazi Occupation. It tells you about day to day existence, collaborators who are not really, about the French resistance and the struggles of day to day existence with food shortages and rationing. Yet wanting to be a normal teenager.

What other book might you compare Season of Suffering to and why?

It is a good contrast with Diary of Anne Frank. You can see the differences between being in an occupied country as a Gentile vs being Jewish. This book tells you about life outside the attic.

What about Sally Martin’s performance did you like?

I love narrators who can just become part of the background and present the story and this was done perfectly in this book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

This book is a little long for one session, but I did it comfortably in 2 solid chunks.

Any additional comments?

I was provided this audiobook at no charge by the narrator in exchange for an unbiased review via Audiobook Boom.

Love it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, I really like the story and can't stop listening to this audiobook. Once I began listening, the story makes this audiobook hard to put down until I have finished it completely.

Which scene was your favorite?

All of them. I truly adored this audiobook from start to end.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes, I really want to, but I don't have enough time for that. This book is 7 hours long. Sally Martin is a good narrator, makes this book even better in audio than paper. I would certainly recommend this audiobook to a friend.

Any additional comments?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

Moving and Compelling

What did you love best about Season of Suffering?

The story in which way it was told and what we can attain from that troubled time. Narration and sequence of events which took place were compelling and kept me interested.

Any additional comments?

This review copy audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost."

Couldn't Get Through It. Bored to Tears...

Story: Couldn't finish it, it was just too damn boring. I was looking for a little slice of life from a non-soldier perspective but not that small a piece. Literally, "I liked this boy down the way" stuff. Just everyday, ordinary stuff. There might have been something interesting in there somewhere but no way was I sacrificing another 3 hours of my life that I will never get back.

Performance: Bleach, total amateur.

Overall: If you dig rural farm girls in a non-pornographic setting, then maybe this is for you? But probably not...


This audio book was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review.