Genre Fiction
![Erika Robuck - [object Object] author](https://res.cloudinary.com/readsomnia/image/upload/authors/a_B005C9TQJU.jpg)
Sisters of Night and Fog: A WWII Novel
Named a Most Anticipated Book of 2022 by Buzzfeed · Bookbub · BookTrib · and more!
Two women, two countries. Nothing in common but a call to fight.
A heart-stopping new novel based on the extraordinary true stories of an American socialite and a British secret agent whose stunning acts of courage collide in the darkest hours of World War II.
1940. In a world newly burning with war, and in spite of her American family's wishes, Virginia d'Albert-Lake decides to stay in occupied France with her French husband. She's sure that if they keep their heads down, they'll survive. But is surviving enough?
Nineteen-year-old Violette Szabo has seen the Nazis' evil up close and is desperate to fight them. But when she meets the man who'll change her life only for tragedy to strike, Violette's adrift. Until she enters the radar of Britain's secret war organization-the Special Operations Executive-and a new fire is lit in her as she decides just how much she's willing to risk to enlist.
As Virginia and Violette navigate resistance, their clandestine deeds come to a staggering halt when they are brought together at Ravensbrück concentration camp.
The decisions they make will change their lives, and the world, forever.
Two women, two countries. Nothing in common but a call to fight.
A heart-stopping new novel based on the extraordinary true stories of an American socialite and a British secret agent whose stunning acts of courage collide in the darkest hours of World War II.
1940. In a world newly burning with war, and in spite of her American family's wishes, Virginia d'Albert-Lake decides to stay in occupied France with her French husband. She's sure that if they keep their heads down, they'll survive. But is surviving enough?
Nineteen-year-old Violette Szabo has seen the Nazis' evil up close and is desperate to fight them. But when she meets the man who'll change her life only for tragedy to strike, Violette's adrift. Until she enters the radar of Britain's secret war organization-the Special Operations Executive-and a new fire is lit in her as she decides just how much she's willing to risk to enlist.
As Virginia and Violette navigate resistance, their clandestine deeds come to a staggering halt when they are brought together at Ravensbrück concentration camp.
The decisions they make will change their lives, and the world, forever.
Editorial Reviews
"Violette and Virginia are two women whose stories needed to be told, particularly now that most of the people who fought in WWII are gone. Robuck has done their memory great honor."
-BookPage (starred review)
"Following her triumph The Invisible Woman, Erika Robuck returns with an even more powerful book. Inspired by true stories, this incredible book tells of American Virginia and Violette, each swept up in the current of World War II and forced to choose whether to risk everything for the things in which she believes. Their lives collide in powerful and irrevocable ways that will hold readers spellbound… Sisters of Night and Fog stands head and shoulders above for its meticulous research, heart pounding storytelling, compelling relationships and important message. Bravo!"
-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
"A novel of duty, sacrifice, fate, and hope, set in a world steeped in courage and madness. Searing, powerful, and told through the lens of two overlooked historical figures who gave up nearly everything to fight against tyranny in one of the 20th century's darkest hours, Erika Robuck's Sisters of Night and Fog soars. Two women-connected at the outset by fate, chance and little else-hurtle toward a tragic date with destiny in the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, where prisoners are starved and tortured, and not all will make it out alive. Based very closely on the true stories of two incredible 20th century women in the shadows, who risked their lives to save others, this novel, devastating in its truth and power, will break your heart and stay with you long after you've turned the final page."
-Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"Few writers are as skilled as Erika Robuck at the exacting art of spinning the raw truth of history into the vital tapestry of fiction. With Sisters of Night and Fog, based upon the experiences of renowned WWII SOE agents Violette Szabo and Virginia d'Albert-Lake, Robuck works her magic again. She takes the well-documented stories of these two women, whose courage under the most harrowing circumstances almost defies description, and she makes us believe. This impeccably researched and profoundly moving novel will stay with readers long after its devastating and heartfelt conclusion, and they will marvel, as I did, at the valour of its heroines and the artistry of its author."
-Jennifer Robson, bestselling author of The Gown
"Erika Robuck has once again proved her mastery of biographical fiction, respecting the historical record as she weaves together t...
-BookPage (starred review)
"Following her triumph The Invisible Woman, Erika Robuck returns with an even more powerful book. Inspired by true stories, this incredible book tells of American Virginia and Violette, each swept up in the current of World War II and forced to choose whether to risk everything for the things in which she believes. Their lives collide in powerful and irrevocable ways that will hold readers spellbound… Sisters of Night and Fog stands head and shoulders above for its meticulous research, heart pounding storytelling, compelling relationships and important message. Bravo!"
-Pam Jenoff, New York Times bestselling author of The Woman with the Blue Star
"A novel of duty, sacrifice, fate, and hope, set in a world steeped in courage and madness. Searing, powerful, and told through the lens of two overlooked historical figures who gave up nearly everything to fight against tyranny in one of the 20th century's darkest hours, Erika Robuck's Sisters of Night and Fog soars. Two women-connected at the outset by fate, chance and little else-hurtle toward a tragic date with destiny in the infamous Ravensbruck Concentration Camp, where prisoners are starved and tortured, and not all will make it out alive. Based very closely on the true stories of two incredible 20th century women in the shadows, who risked their lives to save others, this novel, devastating in its truth and power, will break your heart and stay with you long after you've turned the final page."
-Kristin Harmel, New York Times bestselling author of The Book of Lost Names and The Forest of Vanishing Stars
"Few writers are as skilled as Erika Robuck at the exacting art of spinning the raw truth of history into the vital tapestry of fiction. With Sisters of Night and Fog, based upon the experiences of renowned WWII SOE agents Violette Szabo and Virginia d'Albert-Lake, Robuck works her magic again. She takes the well-documented stories of these two women, whose courage under the most harrowing circumstances almost defies description, and she makes us believe. This impeccably researched and profoundly moving novel will stay with readers long after its devastating and heartfelt conclusion, and they will marvel, as I did, at the valour of its heroines and the artistry of its author."
-Jennifer Robson, bestselling author of The Gown
"Erika Robuck has once again proved her mastery of biographical fiction, respecting the historical record as she weaves together t...
Readers Top Reviews
kathleen g
An absolutely terrific novel about two incredibly courageous women who put it all on the line for France during WWII. Virginia is an American married to Phillipe who becomes a leader in helping Allied airmen escape from Occupied France. Her story, which begins with a heart wrenching miscarriage, is amazing. Violette, a British citizen who is half French and married to a Legionnaire is equally brave- and she was a real person. She joins the SOE, leaving behind her small daughter, and parachutes into France with money to pay the resistance. Their paths cross before they actually meet on their way to Ravensbruck. Their stories are equally compelling, emotional, and distressing. Robuck's storytelling is such that you will be pulled in and find yourself reading past when you should put the novel down. I actually had a tear in my eye near the end of this. Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. Don't miss the author's notes at the end- you will find yourself inspired. One of the best WWII novels I've read. Impossible not to think about women holding the fort in the current situation.
Short Excerpt Teaser
1
Pont-Remy, France
Violette
Violette is shaken awake, Tante Marguerite's wild-eyed face inches from hers.
"Se réveiller!"
Disoriented, Violette feels a stab of panic. Did Tante discover what Violette did last night?
"Why so early?" Violette asks her aunt, keeping her voice as innocent as possible.
"For once in your eighteen years, Vi, obey," says Tante. "Pack!"
Tante Marguerite hurries to wake Violette's eight-year-old brother, Dickie.
With a sinking feeling, Violette realizes the day she's been dreading has come. She and her little brother are being sent back to London.
The siblings have been staying in France with their mother's sister to give Maman space to mourn their littlest brother, Harry, who died last year from diphtheria. Violette and the rest of her family had grieved Harry hard and fast, but even after months passed, Maman could barely tread water.
In spite of war making fire of the French horizon, Violette has no desire to return to London. France is her mother's home and Violette's dearest love. She's spent every summer of her life here, and half her school years, and knows it's where she belongs.
"I don't want to go," she says.
Ignoring her, Tante tells Dickie to dress at once.
Violette is about to argue, but the look of sheer terror on Tante's face silences Violette. Her aunt is not one for hysterics.
Violette looks out the window and sees a flurry of motion on the street. Refugees pass, with trunks and valises and frightened children loaded on carts and on goats' backs and whatever else they could find. A distant rumble calls Violette to action. She throws back her sheet and pulls their suitcases from the closet. She stuffs her clothing, toiletries, and magazines into one. As she heads for Dickie's drawers to pack his suitcase, Tante grabs Violette's arm.
"Une valise. And your passports. Hurry!"
Violette rolls her eyes but obeys, putting her and Dickie's necessities into one suitcase and dressing as quickly as possible. While Tante leaves them and bangs around the kitchen, muttering about someone getting into the cupboard, Violette sneaks out of the house and to the shed. She pulls open the door and looks for her pilot, but he's gone. She'd think she dreamt him if it weren't for the heart he drew for her on the dirt floor.
Last night, Violette had snuck out for a midnight bicycle ride, when she'd stumbled across a Belgian pilot sleeping along a ravine. She'd poked him awake-scaring him half to death-and once he calmed, he explained he'd been shot down and lost his crew. He was trying to make his way to Spain so he could get to London and back in the air fighting Nazis. Violette had set him up in Tante's garden shed with a blanket, half a loaf of bread, directions south, and prayers for his safe travels.
Violette touches her chest and sighs. Resolved, she hurries back to the house. Once she escorts Dickie safely back to London and places him in her mother's arms, Violette will find a way back to France to do whatever she can to fight the Nazis.
If Violette stares at the gulls gliding overhead, she can remove herself from the chaos. She imagines looking down on the dock at Calais from a great height, from heaven.
Does it look like a pretty, breezy day, a single ship remaining on the quay, a line of merry travelers waiting to board? she thinks. Is this how it looks to God? Is that why he doesn't help?
Dickie's sweating hand jerks Violette back to where they stand among a mass of weary, frantic travelers. He sobs so hard he shudders for breath. He's been crying since they dragged him from the house and pushed him on the crowded train. They had to walk the last kilometer of the journey because the tracks were blown out by the Luftwaffe.
A terrible growling sound starts. Violette again lifts her eyes to the sky. These are not gulls coming in, but Heinkel bombers, flying so low she can see the pilots. As soon as they're overhead, the shooting begins. Great splashes erupt from the water, coming closer and closer, until the first blast hits the crowd along the dock. Luggage and limbs erupt in a red spray of fire and blood. Violette watches in shock, and her gaze finds a little girl of no more than five lying in the sand, whose dead glassy stare matches that of the dolly in her arms.
Violette feels as if a gun has gone off in her head. Though Dickie is almost as tall as she is,...
Pont-Remy, France
Violette
Violette is shaken awake, Tante Marguerite's wild-eyed face inches from hers.
"Se réveiller!"
Disoriented, Violette feels a stab of panic. Did Tante discover what Violette did last night?
"Why so early?" Violette asks her aunt, keeping her voice as innocent as possible.
"For once in your eighteen years, Vi, obey," says Tante. "Pack!"
Tante Marguerite hurries to wake Violette's eight-year-old brother, Dickie.
With a sinking feeling, Violette realizes the day she's been dreading has come. She and her little brother are being sent back to London.
The siblings have been staying in France with their mother's sister to give Maman space to mourn their littlest brother, Harry, who died last year from diphtheria. Violette and the rest of her family had grieved Harry hard and fast, but even after months passed, Maman could barely tread water.
In spite of war making fire of the French horizon, Violette has no desire to return to London. France is her mother's home and Violette's dearest love. She's spent every summer of her life here, and half her school years, and knows it's where she belongs.
"I don't want to go," she says.
Ignoring her, Tante tells Dickie to dress at once.
Violette is about to argue, but the look of sheer terror on Tante's face silences Violette. Her aunt is not one for hysterics.
Violette looks out the window and sees a flurry of motion on the street. Refugees pass, with trunks and valises and frightened children loaded on carts and on goats' backs and whatever else they could find. A distant rumble calls Violette to action. She throws back her sheet and pulls their suitcases from the closet. She stuffs her clothing, toiletries, and magazines into one. As she heads for Dickie's drawers to pack his suitcase, Tante grabs Violette's arm.
"Une valise. And your passports. Hurry!"
Violette rolls her eyes but obeys, putting her and Dickie's necessities into one suitcase and dressing as quickly as possible. While Tante leaves them and bangs around the kitchen, muttering about someone getting into the cupboard, Violette sneaks out of the house and to the shed. She pulls open the door and looks for her pilot, but he's gone. She'd think she dreamt him if it weren't for the heart he drew for her on the dirt floor.
Last night, Violette had snuck out for a midnight bicycle ride, when she'd stumbled across a Belgian pilot sleeping along a ravine. She'd poked him awake-scaring him half to death-and once he calmed, he explained he'd been shot down and lost his crew. He was trying to make his way to Spain so he could get to London and back in the air fighting Nazis. Violette had set him up in Tante's garden shed with a blanket, half a loaf of bread, directions south, and prayers for his safe travels.
Violette touches her chest and sighs. Resolved, she hurries back to the house. Once she escorts Dickie safely back to London and places him in her mother's arms, Violette will find a way back to France to do whatever she can to fight the Nazis.
If Violette stares at the gulls gliding overhead, she can remove herself from the chaos. She imagines looking down on the dock at Calais from a great height, from heaven.
Does it look like a pretty, breezy day, a single ship remaining on the quay, a line of merry travelers waiting to board? she thinks. Is this how it looks to God? Is that why he doesn't help?
Dickie's sweating hand jerks Violette back to where they stand among a mass of weary, frantic travelers. He sobs so hard he shudders for breath. He's been crying since they dragged him from the house and pushed him on the crowded train. They had to walk the last kilometer of the journey because the tracks were blown out by the Luftwaffe.
A terrible growling sound starts. Violette again lifts her eyes to the sky. These are not gulls coming in, but Heinkel bombers, flying so low she can see the pilots. As soon as they're overhead, the shooting begins. Great splashes erupt from the water, coming closer and closer, until the first blast hits the crowd along the dock. Luggage and limbs erupt in a red spray of fire and blood. Violette watches in shock, and her gaze finds a little girl of no more than five lying in the sand, whose dead glassy stare matches that of the dolly in her arms.
Violette feels as if a gun has gone off in her head. Though Dickie is almost as tall as she is,...
