I am always intrigued by the Holocaust in history, as well as in fictional historical novels.
The book is about a woman who goes to Europe to research her family, who were living in France when they were sent to a concentration camp.
She finds what she's looking for in more ways than one.

I highly recommend it.

This is a beautifully written book by Sandell Morse in which she delves into the past of the Vichy regime in a small village called Auvillar. She soon runs into difficulties, because of subconscious anti-Semitism, and many of the French desiring to forget the past, and their responsibility for collaboration. However, others do want to talk, and she uncovers amazing stories of the saving of Jewish children, and many acts of bravery and sacrifice.

This is also part memoir and part-travelogue as Sandell is reminded of stories from her own past, such as her own family's escape from Europe, and her own strong identification with being Jewish. She also struggles with travelling alone as a woman over 70, and coming up against barriers, such as talking about difficult and sensitive issues. I liked it but it's certainly harrowing at times.

I received this ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781639640027
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This book is about World War 2 and the lengths this small village was willing to go to protect people! There was a secret group of resistance workers trying to keep as many people alive as possible! This book is about a person trying to understand their family history!

The Spiral Shell is a intriguing tale of memories and how they both illuminate and obscure the truth.

During multiple trips to France, Morse finds herself talking to a variety of people who have connections to the Shoah, or Holocaust as it is more commonly known. Some of these people have very direct opinions on what they saw or know to be true and are not afraid to talk, even if their opinion is not fully informed. Others seem to purposefully avoid acknowledging that they know anything and even choose to misdirect Morse during her research. However, all of them play a part in the cohesive picture that Morse is able to create about the small town of Auvillar during and after World War II. This picture really drew me into a place I knew nothing about, but now would love to experience on my own.

Something interesting though, is that the reader comes away with not only the same new knowledge that Morse does, but also quite a lot of Morse's personal past. Everytime her search leads her to a topic or personality she connects with, she delves into an example from her own story to relay that connection. There is much more of this autobiographical content than I expected, and while at times it is a bit clumsy in its placement within her research; it does show her personality well.

Reminders of this time in our world's history are essential to have, and Sandell Morse presents a unique perspective worth reading

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sandell Morse's first book draws from essays she has written about her experiences researching the fate of Jews in Vichy France, particularly in rural Dordogne around the villages of Auvillar and Beaulieu. She describes it as part history, part personal memoir, part travelogue, inspired by the story of a Jewish boy who shared her last name (maiden name, although unrelated).

I was drawn to this book by its description because I will be traveling to Dordogne in May and was attracted by the idea of focusing some of my travel plans around this subject, being the son of survivors.

I come away with mixed feelings. The writing is excellent, especially in capturing the emotions of the authors and her interview subjects. The reminiscences of the war are far and away the best part of the book (for me at least). But I don't feel I learned anything new about Vichy -- especially having (like Woody Allen) seen The Sorrow and the Pity more than once (curious as to why Morse never mentions that landmark documentary about Vichy France).

I never got a full sense of the author herself -- the memoir is primarily of her investigation into writing the book, not so much about her past life and history. The travelogue is quite rich in detail -- perhaps even too rich in detail -- but left me without a sense of the place, certainly not the sense of the place I am getting through my other research in preparation for my upcoming trip.

I'm left feeling somewhat richer for sharing in the memories of the subjects and getting a palpable picture of the locale. But I'm left wanting on several levels -- the anecdotes are wonderful, but they have little historical context, likewise the region and even the author herself.

Still, lots to like about this book. A solid four stars that could have been a perfect five if it were more focused on its primary subject matter.