The perspective of a child during the events leading up to World War II in France offers a unique and critical insight into the experiences of those living under German occupation. The narrative highlights not only the overarching tragedy of war but also the specific daily struggles faced by many French citizens during this tumultuous period. This focus on a child's viewpoint enriches the understanding of the emotional and societal impacts of the war.
Much has been written about pre-war France, but works written through the eyes of a child deserve critical attention. For many Frenchmen living through the German occupation, the War was tragic and filled with daily hardship that had no equal. A CHILD OF SILENCE tells the story of a family ripped apart by the German invasion, a mother trying desperately to survive, a father sent to fight a doomed battle, and an innocent girl torn from home and security to land in a Catholic orphanage. Written in 1953 and kept secret for more than forty years, A CHILD OF SILENCE reveals truths the Church would prefer not be known, and a true story about a child who kept faith in herself despite unimaginable odds. Ms. Fautrel was born in Paris. She spent the War years in Normandy. After the War, Françoise went to Switzerland, and at nearly twenty-one she moved to England. Her mantra was “work, work, work,” and after a difficult start, she was able to study and acquire respected professional qualifications. From the 1960s onward she wrote and translated professional articles. Her first book, A CHILD OF SILENCE was published in 1995. This work has been translated into French under the title of TAIS TOI...ET PRI. Francoise's second autobiographical account, THE UNWISE MONKEY, was published in 2011.
