The Reward by Danielle Steel

Welcome to the forgotten shelf. This is day 7!
Watch the video for today, here or here.

The Book in short
Capturing historical events, terrifying moments of danger, tragedy, the price of war, and the invincible spirit of a woman of honour, The Award is a monumental tale from one of our most gifted storytellers—Danielle Steel’s finest, most emotionally resonant novel yet.

Gaëlle de Barbet is sixteen years old in 1940 when the German army occupies France, and frightening changes begin to occur. She is shocked and powerless when French gendarmes take away her closest friend, Rebekah Feldmann, and her family for deportation to an unknown, ominous fate.

The local German military commandant makes Gaëlle’s family estate outside Lyon into his headquarters. Her father and brother are killed by the Germans; her mother fades away into madness. Trusted friends and employees become traitors. And Gaëlle begins a perilous journey with the French Resistance, hoping to save lives to make up for the beloved friend she could do nothing to help.

Taking terrifying risks, Gaëlle becomes a valuable member of the Resistance, fearlessly delivering Jewish children to safety under the eyes of the Gestapo and their French collaborators. Then she is suddenly approached by the German commandant with an astonishing, dangerous plan to save part of France’s artistic heritage. Conducted in secret, flawlessly carried out, her missions will mark her for years, when she is falsely accused of collaboration at the end of the war. Orphaned and alone, she begins a new life in Paris, with the ghosts of the past always close at hand.

Gaëlle’s life will take her from Paris to New York, from a career as a Dior model to marriage and motherhood, unbearable loss, and mature, lasting love. She returns to Paris to run a small museum, honouring victims of the Holocaust. But her label as a collaborator remains, until her granddaughter, a respected political journalist, ensures that her grandmother’s brave acts are recognised. Now, a grateful nation will finally absolve this remarkable woman and honour her as the war hero she was.
I got this information here.

My Thoughts
As I said in the video, I knew I would like the book when I got around to it. I read this book so very fast; it was such an interesting story. Absolutely heartbreaking.

Especially the relationship between Gaëlle and her eldest daughter. It broke my heart, and I must say that it was quite heavy, but it was worth it. I did really enjoy this book and I would read more of this author.

That was the forgotten shelf for today. I’ll see you tomorrow.