The Girl from the Channel Islands

The Girl from the Channel Islands by Jenny Lecoat  304 Pages

This debut novel will make a great movie. Cinematically, yes. The scenery is breathtaking. But I doubt the acting will be able to match the authenticity of the people, place, and plot that author Lecoat puts into it.

In 1938, Hedy Bercu fled Vienna to avoid the Nazis; she had no doubts as to what will happen to her if she is ever outed as a Jew. This story begins place two years later on the island of Jersey, one of the archipelago of Channel Islands in the English Channel off the French coast of Normandy. 

I fell in love with the opening paragraph…so beautifully written that I read it three times to savor the imagery. It sets the beauty of the island front and center.  I love many mentions of the sea, the beaches and the waves throughout the novel.

But back to Hedy’s dilemma. Since her arrival she has been a nanny for the Mitchell family, but they have left the island with no plans to return. They leave behind everything they cannot carry and their cat, Hemingway.

Needing employment, Hedy registers with the Aliens Office.  Since Hedy speaks both German and English, she applies for a job as a German translator.  The Germans, desperate for her skills, ignore the large J on her registration card and put her to work. She keeps her head down and makes little contact with the other workers on the German base.

I found it a little hard to swallow that Hedy was not recognized.  It’s an island; I would think most of the residents know each, by sight if nothing else. 

Hedy has a few friends on the island, most notably the island doctor and her BFF, Anton. She meets the German Lieutenant who seems sympathetic to the Islanders’ plight.  But all through the story, Hedy doesn’t seem to know any of the other Islanders, which I found odd.

As the Germans and the Islanders settle into a wary co-existence that hovers over each page. Hedy decides to fight back. Her choice of resistance is extremely dangerous, but good for the island. When a large portion of the German Army lands on the island, Hedy is forced into hiding. Author Lecoat does a wonderful job with describing how Hedy manages this….as well as the rationing, the Islanders’ fear and the other sanctions of life on an occupied land.

Lecoat spent years researching and writing this little gem of a novel.  The fact that it is based on a true story makes it extra meaningful.

And somehow, through all this, Hedy finds love. I was most impressed with the beauty of the Island. I hope that it is still as beautiful.  The Girl from the Channel Islands receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.