Suite Francaise: Storm In June
By Irene Nemirovsky
translated by Sandra Smith
abridged in 10 parts by Sally Marmion.
read by Sian Thomas
First broadcast from 20060306 to 20060317. BOOK AT BEDTIME.
In 1941, a notable Ukrainian Jewish writer who had sought sanctuary in France in the 1920s, set out to pen a five-part opus about France under German occupation. She completed two novels before her arrest and subsequent death in Auschwitz. For 40 years the manuscripts lay undiscovered in a suitcase kept by her daughters, before finally becoming a French bestseller.
This reading covers the first volume: "A Storm in June". The second volume, "Dolce", which follows a couple characters from "Storm", was dramatised as a Woman's Hour Drama in August 2006.
80/44/mono; 78 MB total; sound quality excellent
20060306
1/10. A disparate group of Parisians are caught up in the events of June 1940, as they flee their city before the enemy advances.
20060307
2/10. June 1940. German forces are approaching the outskirts of Paris, and rich and poor alike have finally realised the inevitability of their city's fate. From the Boulevards to the banks, Parisians are preparing to flee.
20060308
3/10. As the Germans reach Paris, the chaos and confusion mounts. With the train stations packed and no space in the cars, there is little choice left for those without means, but to walk.
1-3 of 10
Replies
20060316
9/10. War may be a leveller; peace brings dividends, but not for all. The Michauds and Gabriel Corte experience the aftermath of the Armistice.
20060317
10/10. An accidental death and a promise of life.
9-10 of 10
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 09of10.mp3
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 10of10.mp3
thanks so much..
20060314
7/10. Scattered across France, dispersed by the invading enemy, Charles Langelet, old Monsieur Pericand and Jean-Marie Michaud are all finding their own ways to deal with the upheaval that has swept their country.
20060315
8/10. Violence and consolation as the Pericand family suffer the after-shocks of the invasion.
7-8 of 10
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 07of10.mp3
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 08of10.mp3
20060309
4/10. June 1940. Convoys are strafed by German aircraft, bombs are dropped on refugees. As Nemirovsky's disparate characters make their weary way out of Paris, are they any safer? Civilised behaviour begins to break down as chaos takes its toll.
20060310
5/10. While Gabriel Corte tries to save his own skin, Hubert Pericand has a greater ideal in mind.
20060313
6/10. Mme Pericand tries to get her brood to Nimes. Hubert, her second son, takes another step towards adulthood.
4-6 of 10
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 04of10.mp3
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 05of10.mp3
Nemirovsky - Suite Francaise 06of10.mp3