Paris, Fashion and Heroism: Read our Review of Sisters of the Resistance by Christine Wells

Then they are both recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior and swept into a treacherous world of spies, fugitives, and intrigue. While Gabby risks everything for the man she is hiding from the Nazis, Yvette must decide whether to trust an enigmatic diplomat who seems to have guessed her secret. As the threat of betrayal draws ever closer, one slip could mean the deaths of many, and both sisters must make choices they might regret.

Paris, 1947: Yvette returns from New York to reunite with Gabby and begin life anew as a mannequin for Dior, who is revolutionizing fashion with the New Look. But first she must discover the truth behind Catherine’s terrible fate, while Gabby finds that there are many kinds of courage, and that love is always worth fighting for.

Sisters of the Resistance is a page-turning new novel from Christine Wells that was inspired by the real-life bravery of Catherine Dior, sister of the famous fashion designer and a heroine of World War II France. While I had obviously heard of Christian Dior (who hasn’t?) before reading this, I did not know that his sister was a famous French resistance fighter, and I’m so glad I was finally able to learn more about this fascinating woman here.

The novel follows protagonists Yvette and Gabby Foucher, both during the war—when they were recruited into the French resistance—and afterwards, as they are reunited and resume normal life. The sisters are polar opposites: Yvette is a headstrong yet naïve young woman who boldly volunteers to work for the resistance. Meanwhile, Gabby, who busies herself taking care of her family and tenants, is reluctantly recruited to the cause, yet proves herself to be no less courageous than her sister. Through her depiction of these brave and resilient young women, Wells pays homage to the inspiring female resistance fighters of World War II.

Set against a lavish Parisian backdrop, Sisters of the Resistance offers readers both a compelling wartime narrative as well as a dazzling look at the glamorous French fashion world of the 1940s. Fashion, Paris and heroism … what’s not to love?

Synopsis

Paris, 1944: The war is nearly over, but for members of the Resistance in occupied France, it is more dangerous than ever before. Twenty-five-year-old Gabby Foucher loathes the Nazis, though as the concierge of 10 rue Royale, she does her best to avoid conflict—unlike her bolder sister Yvette, who finds trouble at every turn. Then they are both recruited into the Resistance by Catherine Dior and swept into a treacherous world of spies, fugitives, and intrigue. While Gabby risks everything for the man she is hiding from the Nazis, Yvette must decide whether to trust an enigmatic diplomat who seems to have guessed her secret. As the threat of betrayal draws ever-closer, one slip could mean the deaths of many, and both sisters must make choices they might regret. Paris, 1947: Yvette returns from New York to reunite with Gabby and begin life anew as a mannequin for Dior, who is revolutionizing fashion with the New Look. But first she must discover the truth behind Catherine’s terrible fate, while Gabby finds that there are many kinds of courage, and that love is always worth fighting for.

Christine Wells

Christine Wells worked as a corporate lawyer in a city firm before exchanging contracts and prospectuses for a different kind of fiction. In her novels, she draws on a lifelong love of British history and an abiding fascination for the way laws shape and reflect society. Christine is devoted to big dogs, good coffee, beachside holidays and Antiques Roadshow, but above all to her husband and two sons who live with her in Brisbane.

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