While Paris Slept

A Novel

By: Ruth Druart

Narrated by: Luke Thompson, Frazer Hadfield, Jane Collingwood, Heather Long

One woman must make the hardest decision of her life in this unforgettably moving story of resistance and faith during one of the darkest times in history.

Santa Cruz, 1953. Jean-Luc is a man on the run from his past. The scar on his face is a small price to pay for surviving the horrors of Nazi occupation in France. Now, he has a new life in California, a family. He never expected the past to come knocking on his door.

Paris, 1944. A young Jewish woman's past is torn apart in a heartbeat. Herded onto a train bound for Auschwitz, in an act of desperation she entrusts her most precious possession to a stranger. All she has left now is hope.

On a darkened platform, two destinies become intertwined, and the choices each person makes will change the future in ways neither could have imagined.

Told from alternating perspectives, While Paris Slept reflects on the power of love, resilience, and courage when all seems lost. Exploring the strength of family ties, and what it really means to love someone unconditionally, this debut novel will capture your heart.

©2021 Ruth Druart (P)2021 Grand Central Publishing

Critic reviews

"As writers, some stories keep us up at night with the need to get them down on paper. Ruth Druart has one such tale. We met in 2006, and I read pages of her story then. She never let go and never gave up. Thanks to this tenacity, her heartbreaking debut will be published in several languages. It will appeal to fans of The Light Between Oceans as well as to readers fascinated by novels set in World War II. While Paris Slept delves into eternal questions: How far will we go to protect our child? Is love holding tightly or letting go? The characters - and readers - must choose between what is right and what is best in this mediation on love and sacrifice." (Janet Skeslien Charles, author of The Paris Library and Moonlight in Odessa)

"While Paris Slept made me think and cry and rage and smile at mankind's capacity for both beautiful, selfless love and terrible, heartbreaking cruelty. It is at once a story of wartime courage and desperation, and of the many ways in which war reverberates through people's lives for years after the fact. Prepare to question yourself and the characters in the novel, to wonder what you might have done in their place; in short, prepare to be thoroughly engrossed in this compelling book in which four adults and one child grapple with the true meaning of love and family." (Natasha Lester, author of The Paris Secret)

"What a book...emotional and heartrending...absolutely phenomenal. I was on tenterhooks throughout. A wonderful achievement." (Jill Mansell, New York Times best-selling author of And Now You're Back)

Excellent

If you enjoy WWII fiction you will really want to read this book! One of the best I have read. I can’t wait for another book by this author.

Enjoyable

I enjoyed the story and narration . Second half of story not as gripping as first.

One of the best

This story takes the reader into the relationship and laws of the government and hoe it affects the lives of ordinary people. The damage done during World War II to the Jewish people and all people is brought to the fore front. This is one of the best stories on this subject I have ever read.
Governments want power but a person needs love.

Amazing

This is one of the best books I’ve read. There are a few that touched me as much as this one has this one belongs at the top with a few others.

Poignant

This novel wasn’t what I was expecting from a novel about WW2 and the occupation of Paris. This novel was more about survival, morality in war time and what constitutes family. Well written and read.

Warm story

I couldn’t stop listening to this! Beautiful story, exquisite narration. I loved it so much.

A mother’s love.

Wow. Such a great story. As you listen to their journey through the aftermath of the war you can feel the love these parents had for one lucky little boy.

What A Tear-Jerker!!!

I purchased this title on sale as the daily deal, and frankly, did not expect much from it, but boy, was I pleasantly surprised! The story is emotionally gripping, and brought tears to my eyes many times while listening. The story really highlighted the difficult choices people might go through, and how those choices can effect everybody’s lives because of them. I would certainly recommend checking this one out!.

The love of a parent

What an amazing story! It truly could have been based on a true life story.

The narration was spot on.

The story was believable!

Beautiful story of love and survival

I loved this book. It helped me understand the plight of Jews in France during Nazi brutality. The story is told in such a way that I felt as though the characters were speaking to me. It's perfect for men and women alike.