Trini Amador

I'm having a bit of trouble writing this review. Gracianna is such a powerful and impactful novel, I want to be sure to get it right. I guess I'll start at the beginning with who it all starts...Gracianna herself. What a memorable character! And to know that her character was 'inspired' by the author's grandmother, to know that this person was real, it's just amazing. I have never read a book with a character quite like Gracianna. Strong willed and determined, yet perceptive and loyal, this is a character one never gets tired of reading about. Her story is inspiring, to say the least.

In the story, we also get a terrible look at Nazi occupied France during WWII and even a satellite camp of Auschwitz, the most horrible concentration camp, according to the historical record. Through a series of events, Gracianna's sister is sent to the camp, although she is not a Jew. Gracianna goes above and beyond the call of duty to secure her sister's release. I do not want to go into too much detail because I'll give away the story and it's a very exciting story. I was on the edge of my seat from the middle of the book until the end. I cannot imagine the fear people lived in during the Holocaust. Everyone had to live in fear of the Nazis. This fear was palpable. While reading, I really felt it in my gut.

In the author's afterword, Amador made a good point of why he wanted to tell Gracianna's story:

I wanted to convey my understanding of her values and what they meant to her, and what they took from her and what she gave us. I believe these values were always on her mind, never far from her always-moist, pursed lips and French-accented thoughts. I wanted to understand her values and convictions and compare them to now-values, and I wondered, "What might today's generation believe in so strongly that it would cause them to act so desperately...What is it that is so important that each of us would act upon it, based on our values, beliefs, and attitudes today?"

This was a good point because I found myself wondering what I would do in a similar situation. It really is hard to imagine having to live through those times.

These stories are important because we must never forget what happened in WWII. How many people died...were killed....because they were different. This must never be allowed to happen in our society again. Would that everyone in the world had the character and moral fortitude of Gracianna. The world would be a better place indeed.

Gracianna is simply a must-read.
… (mer)

Trini Amador's debut novel, Gracianna, is a fictionalized account of the life of his great-grandmother, Gracianna Lasaga. The writing of the book was inspired by Amador's quest to discover the story behind the German Luger (gun) he found at Gracianna's home when he was child. The novel opens with a young Gracianna growing up in Basque country during the 1930s. Although she loves her home, Gracianna dreams of moving to the United States. In an effort to earn enough money for her passage, Gracianna moves to Paris to work. While she quickly finds a job and settles into her Parisian life, Europe has once again become embroiled in war, and it isn't long after Gracianna arrives that Paris becomes occupied by German forces. Although she arrives in Paris alone, Gracianna is soon joined by her childhood friend and romantic interest, Juan, and then by her younger sister, Constance. While Gracianna still hopes to move to the United States, her plans are put on hold when Constance is taken prisoner and sent to Auschwitz. Faced with the possibility of losing her sister forever, Gracianna vows to do whatever is necessary to secure Constance's release.

There are many elements of Gracianna that make it an absorbing read, not the least of which is Gracianna herself. Amador depicts his great-grandmother as a strong, determined woman, one who is willing to fight for what she believes in, even if it puts her own life in jeopardy in the process. As such, Gracianna is a character who many readers will be unable to forget. Another aspect of this novel that I liked was the incorporation of the Basque culture and way of life. While Basque country itself is only featured in the early part of the novel, Gracianna never once forgets who she is and where she comes from, a fact that is reflected throughout the story. Although Gracianna serves as the focal point of the book, her sister Constance's imprisonment in Auschwitz also features prominently and I thought Amador did a good job of portraying Constance's struggle to stay alive. Lastly, I enjoyed how Juan and Gracianna's relationship developed over the course of the novel, and how Juan was a constant source of unwavering support to Gracianna even if it meant he had to put his own dreams on hold.

Although I really enjoyed Gracianna, I did struggle a bit with my rating. Initially I had given the book a slightly lower rating than the four stars I finally settled on, mainly due to the fact that I had a few minor issues with some of the book's mechanics. Upon reflection, however, I came to realize that these minor issues had little if any impact on my appreciation for the story itself, which took no time for me to become completely captivated by.

Gracianna is recommended to historical fiction enthusiasts who enjoy novels set during World War II, as well as to readers who like novels featuring strong female heroines.

Note: I received a copy of this novel from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.… (mer)

A copy of this book was provided to me as part of the blog tour; in exchange for an honest review.

Gracianna was a beautifully written historical fiction novel set in Nazi-occupied Paris. It's based on actual events; the author writes an account of his great grandmothers life, blending fact with fiction to make a thrilling story.

The story centers around the life of Gracianna. She is a completely unique Basque girl who grew up in a village under the care of her strict grandmother. Gracianna learned many things from her grandmother, and acquired many of her traits from her -- including a pronounced need to be perfect. Village life found something lacking to Gracianna and she dreamed of marrying an American university boy and moving to America. One day she just set off to Paris! The first step in her journey to America. She would work hard, and with only a few francs in her pocket she soon found herself a dorm and a job.

We also meet Juan; he is a shepherd and has known Gracianna ever since they were kids. He longs to have his own sheep one day, on his own land. He also longs for Gracianna. Soon he follows her to Paris and is working toward their dream of going to America together. But, the war comes and with it everything changes. Gracianna's sister Constance is taken to Auschwitz and Gracianna does her part to fight and somehow get her sister out of the camps. I came to really feel for Juan and loved his character as much as I did Gracianna.

This novels was a very richly imagined story that had elements that made it feel like a historical thriller. I liked that the setting and cultures were detailed and I felt like (by the end) I knew a lot about Basque culture! I'm actually super curious to know exactly how much of the story was based on fact, and how much was fiction. I'd also like to know what happened to Gracianna's grandmother, Anastasia. It was fascinating to read how even when people were going through terrible life during the war, they were still fighting back in a very real, very direct way.

I'd recommend this beautiful novel to those who enjoy reading heart warming stories that, although sometimes sad, are filled with lovely characters and great lessons. It is a historical fiction, but has elements of a thriller or mystery, because it's more exciting than your typical historical fiction novel! Don't expect a boring story about Nazi occupied Paris-- that's not what Gracianna is.… (mer)

This is a fictionalized account of the early life of the author's grandmother, a Basque woman born on the French-Spanish border before WWII. One of his first memories as a child is finding a German Luger in her California home. The story of how she got there is no doubt a fascinating one, although how much of this book actually happened is not clear. But the fact she & her husband even survived to emigrate is amazing.
We first meet Gracianna "Gras" Arrayet as a child, growing up in a house of women in the rural Pyrenees. It's a hard, simple life. Gras loves her mother, grandmother & younger sister Constance. And books. She reads everything in sight when not cleaning, particularly enjoying the folk tales & proverbs of her culture. But she's a restless soul who dreams of one day going to America.
Her friend Juan is a farmer & sheepherder. He's not as ambitious but as they mature, begins to think Gras might be right.
This is the story of how they end up there, by way of pre-war Paris. Gras goes first, to work & save the money needed for the trip. One by one, Juan & Constance follow her & soon all three are caught up with resistance fighters as the Nazi's seize control of the city. Their actions & experiences will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
This is a hard book to review. It's narrated in the third person so we're told everything that happens but I ended up feeling strangely removed from what should have been incredibly dramatic & heart breaking situations that put the reader through the emotional wringer. It's laid out factually in simple prose & dialogue is oddly stilted, as though poorly translated from another language. Italics & exclamation points are used generously throughout as if to let you know what's important but these can't replace the emotion the reader would have felt if the story had been fleshed out & told by each character through their eyes.
Also, Gras had a tendency to speak in proverbs & adages from the Basque culture & sometimes I longed to hear her talk & describe how she felt just as a young woman. I actually found Constance's story more interesting at times as her thoughts & reactions felt more natural & I could relate to her more easily (no spoilers but her experience was truly horrific).
The one thing we can all agree on is this was an exceptional couple who endured what most of us cannot even begin to comprehend. Their story should be told but I wonder if a straight up biography or memoir might have been a better choice as the writing here lacks the polish necessary for compelling fiction.… (mer)