· Star Crossed, by Heather Dune Macadam & Simon Worrall is a true and well-researched book, using personal letters and writings, documentary evidence, and long personal interviews with the subject’s sister Michelle. The book starts almost frivolously with a mixture of Romeo and Juliet, combined with a soap opera, mingled with a bohemian art group in Paris in 1941. Youthful spats and jealousies are the order of the day, until life takes a turn with the German invasion.
New issues arise as feisty, strong-willed, artist teenager Annette Zelman and young Catholic poet Jean Jauson deal with the deep prejudices of both their families about the religious persuasion of the other. They find refuge at the Café de Flore, among names like Simone de Beauvoir, Jean-Paul Sartre, and Pablo Picasso. For a time, the Zelmans seem to have evaded many of the hunts for Jewish citizens, perhaps because of the father’s talented sewing that provides a perceived need in the community, but the time comes when they are no longer safe. The family escapes, but Annette stays behind with her plans for her wedding.
Historic arrests and deportations follow and Annette is betrayed. The rest of the book becomes as serious an account of what happened to her and her companions and of Jean’s search for her as it was frivolous in the beginning and gives an urgency to the reader to find resolution even while remembering the history that says this can’t come out well. It is a testament to courage produced by deep love that enables people to endure the unspeakable.
Kensington Books, Citadel and Net Galley furnished the advance reading copy for my review.