The Winemaker’s Wife
“Was it possible that one sin could stain your soul forever? Or could one do enough good that a mistake of such magnitude could eventually be erased?”
Champagne, France—a region renowned for its sparkling bubbles and lush landscapes—was seen in a very different light in May 1940. Thankfully, Kristin Harmel masterfully reveals its hidden history in her evocative novel, The Winemaker’s Wife.
Some context…
Inès Chauveau is newly married and still feels like a stranger in her husband’s home, the famed champagne house Maison Chauveau. When the Germans invade and demand more than his livelihood can give, Michel Chauveau becomes withdrawn and obedient. At least, that is what Inès believes until she discovers her husband hiding munitions in the wine cellars, having secretly joined the Resistance.
Naive to the perilous state of their country and those surrounding, Inès is infuriated by Michel’s covert affairs and his disregard for her safety. The head winemaker’s half-Jewish wife, Céline Laurent, however, cannot ignore the heinous crimes being committed by the Nazis. She has no choice but to trust both her instincts and her heart in the fight against Germany—no matter the cost. When one mistake changes the fate of the Maison Chauveau forever, Inès, Michel, and Céline’s lives hang in the balance as their loyalty, tenacity, and morality are put to the test. After all, war has a way of revealing one’s true self.
Fast forward nearly eighty years to New York City, where Liv Kent is still reeling from a fresh divorce when her sharp-witted French grandmother arrives at her door. Liv accompanies the woman to France, where she is confronted with one cryptic clue after another, eventually unraveling the long-buried history of none other than the Maison Chauveau.
Some thoughts…
I have been a fan of historical fiction, especially that set in World War II, since middle school but have rarely encountered a book of this nature. Rather than taking the perspective of a Jewish survivor, this story closely follows the lives of Resistance members—the brave souls who stealthily stood up for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. This approach provides readers with a unique viewpoint on the war, shedding light on an often-overlooked aspect.
Though the book starts off slowly, I became increasingly immersed in the story as I moved into the second half. Harmel’s striking language is full of emotion and imagery, attaching readers to her characters and allowing their love, sadness, and even guilt to come to life. Full of betrayal, heroism, and perseverance, this novel is both heartbreaking and touching as it takes readers through the mistakes and atonements made in a time where every single choice had inescapable consequences.
Harmel presents two kinds of characters: those who cowered to Germany for self-preservation, and those who refused to stand by while innocent people were stripped of their humanity. This contrast demonstrates how ignorance spread across the world, facilitating the atrocities of the Holocaust. People convinced themselves of whatever they needed to believe in order to justify their silence, and it ultimately enabled the inhumane extermination of millions.
For fans of Kristin Hannah’s The Nightingale and Heather Morris’ The Tattooist of Auschwitz, this moving historical fiction novel is sure to surprise readers with its carefully crafted plot and profound understanding of a misunderstood point in history.
RATING: ★★★★★
