Learn all about my book Defy! See last week’s post about the historical accuracy of the characters. This week, we’re talking about the historical context of the book, centering around the true events included in the book!
Is that a real event?
As I was saying in last week’s post, a lot of detail has to go into making a historical fiction book historically accurate. There’s also another element that can really make it feel like it actually happened when placed into a historical fiction book: real-life events. In Defy, there’s a smattering amount of actual events that took place during World War two intertwined with the fictitious events of Defy. Let’s get into it!
Event #1: The Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup
- When: July 16th & 17th, 1942
- Where: Paris, France
- What: The result of an order enacted by the Vichy government, French police officers (under the order of German authorities) arrested more than 13,000 Jews living in Paris. They were then held at Vélodrome d’Hiver, or better known as Vel’ d’Hiv (which is why it’s commonly referred to as the Vel’ d’hiv roundup). After their internment at Vélodrome d’Hiver, they were transported to various concentration camps.
- Why did I include it: I wanted to add a subtle historical event to the first vignette that both gave a sense of the year, but also didn’t give too much away. It’s not an integral part of the story, but it does help people understand a bit more about what is going on and why Annabelle feels like she’s getting stares.
Event #2: Betrayal of Jean Moulin (and several other Resistance Members)
- When: June 12th, 1943
- Where: Suburb of Lyon, France
- What: As mentioned in my previous post, Jean Moulin was a key resistance member who was betrayed by Rene Hardy, leading to his arrest by German authorities. They were sent to Montluc Prision in Lyon, where they were detained and tortured by Klaus Barbie (the head of the Gestapo). Eventually, Jean Moulin was sent to Germany, but died on the way there.
- Why did I include it: When thinking about the name of the chapter, I needed some way to intertwine the resistance movement to the childhood game of telephone. I spent some time researching the history of the resistance and all of its members. By pure chance, I stumbled upon Jean Moulin and his story, and by the grace of God, it fit right into what I wanted to write!
Event #3: Takeover of Corfu by the Germans
- When: September 27th, 1943
- Where: Corfu, Greece
- What: The Germans took over Corfu from Italy (they had previously occupied the island).
- Why did I include it: It’s a rather obscure event that doesn’t add to much to the story, though I had a secret plan behind including it. When Annabelle reads this headline, she mentions that it’s been five days since it first headlined. Looking at a timeline of World War 2 and all the events that happened in those five days, it’s no wonder why the Germans didn’t want to change the news of their victory; they were losing in so many other parts of the world! In Naples, the people there rise up and free themselves from their German occupiers, which is happening coincidingly with the Allied liberation of Italy. Also, nearly two days before, the Free French Forces had liberated Corsica as well. So, knowing that little piece of World War 2 knowledge, this headline sort of makes sense, when you think about it.
Event #4: Liberation of Paris
- When: 19th – 25th of August, 1944
- Where: Paris, France
- What: The liberation of Paris was, well, the liberation of Paris. Various groups of people joined in to fight the fleeing Nazis, trapping them within the city before they could leave. The groups included, but not limited to, the French army, the French resistance, United States Army, United Kingdom Army, Spanish Exiles, German Exiles and Resistance, and civilians. The liberations started off as a general strike by workers, then it transformed into a full on battle.
- Why did I include it: It seemed like a good way to conclude Annabelle’s story in Defy. Why not end with the liberation of her hometown. Sure, it wasn’t the end of the war yet for France, but I’ll bet that the liberation of their capital was an important moment to all Frenchmen and women. Also, I wanted to go out with a bang (literally!), so choosing a battle in which it would make sense that Annabelle was a part of (or more so, caught in the middle of) would best fit into the story.
So, what did you think? Did you pick up on these historical events while reading? I personally believe that what makes this story so believable is that there are these little moments in which the fictional world collides with the real one.
Next week, I’ll address a new element of Defy – what it is yet, I’m not sure, but it will be a fun one!
Till next week!
L.A. Grabins
Sources:
History.com Editors. “Paris Is Liberated After Four Years of Nazi Occupation.” HISTORY, A&E Television Networks, 25 Aug. 2020, www.history.com/this-day-in-history/paris-liberated.
Wikipedia contributors. “Timeline of World War II (1943).” Wikipedia, 27 May 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timeline_of_World_War_II_(1943).
—. “Vel’ d’Hiv Roundup.” Wikipedia, 5 Aug. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vel%27_d%27Hiv_Roundup.